Intent
At our school, our Art and Design curriculum is designed to inspire creativity, develop pupils’ confidence, and nurture a lifelong appreciation of art and visual culture. We believe that all pupils should have access to a high‑quality art education that equips them with the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to express themselves creatively and to engage critically with the world around them.
Our curriculum is underpinned by the National Curriculum (2014) and is delivered through the Kapow Primary Art and Design scheme of learning, which ensures progression, coverage and high expectations across all year groups. The curriculum has been carefully sequenced so that pupils build on prior knowledge and skills year on year, enabling them to deepen their understanding of artistic techniques, vocabulary and concepts.
Through the teaching of Art and Design, we aim for pupils to:
- Develop creativity, curiosity and imagination
- Gain knowledge of a range of artists, designers and craftspeople from different cultures and time periods
- Learn and apply a broad range of artistic skills and techniques
- Reflect on and evaluate their own work and that of others using appropriate vocabulary
- Build resilience, confidence and pride in their own creative achievements
The Art and Design curriculum supports pupils’ personal development by encouraging risk‑taking, independence and self‑expression, while also contributing to their cultural capital by exposing them to high‑quality artistic experiences.
Implementation
The Art and Design curriculum is taught using the Kapow Primary scheme of learning, which provides structured, progressive units that align fully with the National Curriculum. Kapow ensures consistency across the school while allowing teachers the flexibility to adapt lessons to meet the needs of their pupils.
Art is taught through discrete units, allowing pupils time to explore, practise and refine skills. Each unit follows a clear progression model and includes:
- Exploration of artists, designers or artistic movements
- Explicit teaching of vocabulary and techniques
- Opportunities for skill development and experimentation
- Creative outcomes that allow pupils to apply what they have learned
- Reflection and evaluation activities
Kapow units are carefully sequenced to revisit and build upon previous learning. Key skills such as drawing, painting, sculpture, printing and mixed media are revisited and developed across year groups, ensuring progression in complexity and independence. Knowledge organisers and lesson resources provided by Kapow support pupils in retaining key information and vocabulary.
Teachers use formative assessment throughout lessons to check understanding and to provide feedback that supports improvement. Adaptations are made where necessary to ensure all pupils, including those with SEND and disadvantaged pupils, can access the curriculum and achieve success. Scaffolded resources, modelling and practical demonstrations are used to support learning.
Cross‑curricular links are made where appropriate, strengthening pupils’ understanding and providing meaningful contexts for learning. Opportunities are also provided for pupils to showcase their work through displays and class discussions, further developing confidence and pride.
Impact
The impact of the Art and Design curriculum is evident in the quality of pupils’ work, their growing confidence as artists and their ability to talk knowledgeably about their learning. Pupils can articulate the artistic skills they have developed and use subject‑specific vocabulary accurately when evaluating their own work and that of others.
By the end of each key stage, pupils meet the expectations set out in the National Curriculum. Work in sketchbooks demonstrates clear progression in skills, creativity and understanding. Pupils show resilience and independence when experimenting with materials and techniques and are increasingly willing to take creative risks.
The use of Kapow ensures consistency and progression, enabling pupils to remember more and do more over time. Teachers confidently use the scheme to deliver lessons with clear outcomes, and assessment informs future planning.
Ultimately, our Art and Design curriculum equips pupils with the creative skills, cultural awareness and confidence they need to succeed in later education and beyond. Pupils leave school with a positive attitude towards art, an appreciation of creativity and the ability to express themselves in a variety of ways.
