St John the Evangelist CE Primary School

Art and Design

“Every child is an artist.” Pablo Picasso

Intent: At St Johns, the teaching of art and design develops in children the self-belief needed to be creative. Creativity, through art, craft and design is valued and celebrated by the school community.

Our art and design curriculum will engage, inspire and challenge children, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design. As children progress, they will think critically and develop a more rigorous understanding of art and design. They will be taught how art and design both reflect and shape our history, and contribute to the culture, creativity and wealth of our nation. We aim to encourage children to develop their creative and imaginative talents through learning skills and techniques, using a variety of materials and tools. They will learn to appreciate works of art and use artistic language to describe paintings, sculptures and other artefacts. Finally, children will explore artwork from local artists as well as artwork across the world, explore many different cultures, purposes and mediums.

Implementation: The art and design curriculum has been sequenced to ensure progression across the school. Our learning journeys have been planned to ensure that key knowledge, skills and techniques are carefully mapped, allowing all children the opportunity to build on previous skills.

Key vocabulary has been carefully identified and planned into units to ensure that children are exposed to and are confidently using subject specific vocabulary. Connections are continually made between taught knowledge and skills. This builds context for children and allows for discussion of similarities and differences / styles and techniques.

At our school, children are:

Introduced to an artist, focusing on a piece of art or collection by the same artist. At this point, children explore an artist’s influences, inspiration and tools, materials and techniques.
Children are explicitly taught identified skills and practises and have the opportunity for purposeful, deliberate practise.
Children combine the taught techniques in a final art outcome.
Children evaluate their own work and the work of others, making links back to the artist’s work studied. Work is celebrated and shared.

EYFS: Art in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is a vibrant and exploratory process that encourages creativity and self-expression. Children engage with various materials, such as paints, crayons, clay, and natural items, allowing them to experiment with colours, textures, and forms. The focus is on the creative process rather than the final product, promoting exploration and imagination.

Activities like painting, drawing, collage, and sculpture foster fine motor skills and cognitive development.

Collaborative projects encourage teamwork and social interaction, while discussions about their artwork enhance communication skills. Art also integrates with other learning areas, such as storytelling and science, enriching the educational experience. Displays of artwork celebrate children's achievements, fostering a sense of pride and belonging. Overall, art in EYFS nurtures emotional growth, cultural awareness, and a lifelong love for creativity, forming a vital part of holistic development in young children.

Impact: Art and Design books are a ‘toolbox for creativity’ and travel along with each pupil on their creative journey through St John’s, demonstrating the children’s knowledge and understanding in Art and Design. Learning walks, pupil interviews and sketchbook looks show that children are building upon learnt skills as they move through the key stages. Retrieval practice activities are included throughout a unit of work to help support teacher assessment in seeing what children know and remember.

Curriculum Plans

Click the link below to download the curriculum long term overview and skills progression for Art

Progression of Practical Knowledge (Skills) for the teaching of Art and Design

Knowledge of Artists by Year Group

Art Long Term Plan

Click the link below to download the Learning Journeys for Art and Design

Year 1 Art Learning Journey - Autumn Term

Year 1 Art Learning Journey - Spring Term

Year 1 Art Learning Journey - Summer Term

Year 2 Art Learning Journey - Autumn Term

Year 2 Art Learning Journey - Spring Term

Year 2 Art Learning Journey - Summer Term