The art and design projects are well sequenced to provide a coherent subject scheme that develops children’s skills and knowledge of visual elements, art forms and artists. Our Art curriculum is both a knowledge and skills rich curriculum. Knowledge, in the realm of art means knowledge not only of artists, designers, craftspeople and their work, but of the artistic concepts that relate to their work shown in different types and styles of art, how these relate to each other in a historical context and how this affects the children’s own use of materials and development of skills. The curriculum is designed to enable children to learn by making connections between the work of artists, crafts people, designers and their own work, which they evaluate and relate back to the works they have studied. 

For children following the curriculum, becoming informed about the subject discipline of art is a process that takes place alongside a growing love for the subject. Meaningful opportunities for self-expression and individual response are woven through the curriculum, giving children space to learn who they are as an artist. Units of work in the curriculum focus on the different concepts in art and different types of art. In this context concepts in art means the different elements of art (line, shape, colour, tone, form, space, visual texture and tone), how an artist combines these elements and produces art in different styles, for example realistic or abstract art. Different types of art means the different media used to make art (e.g. sculpture, printmaking or painting), different subject matter (e.g. portraits, landscapes or history painting) and different artistic movements, historical periods or geographical cultures (e.g. impressionism, Anglo-Saxon art and Islamic art). 

The overall scheme of the curriculum provides for gradual progression in terms of skills (split into painting, drawing, 3D sculpture, collage, textiles, printmaking, sketchbook use and artist knowledge) introducing the children to as diverse a range of materials as possible. It also provides for progression in terms of knowledge of different concepts and types of art for example;

• In Key Stage 1, each autumn term begins with the colour project Mix It. The teaching of this project in Years 1 and 2 enables children to be introduced to and then revisit colour theory and provides plentiful opportunities for children to explore primary and secondary colours. 
• In Lower Key Stage 2, each autumn term begins with the colour project Contrast and Complement. In Years 3 and 4, the teaching of this project enables children to build on their previous understanding of colour and further develop their expertise by studying theory. 
• In Upper Key Stage 2, each autumn term begins with the colour project Tints, Tones and Shades. Teaching these projects in Years 5 and 6 enables children to build on their previous understanding of colour theory and develop further expertise with colour by studying tonal variations and more complex colour charts.

The curriculum fulfils the requirements of the National Curriculum for England and seeks to show how art shapes our history and contributes to our culture. In Year 1, children will begin by exploring themes directly related to the children themselves, such as their facial features, the surrounding natural world and their local community. 

In Year 2, children will explore projects that will expand their artistic horizons to study a more comprehensive range of artists, artistic movements and creative techniques.

In Year 3, children will expand their experiences to study a broader range of art forms, artists and genres.  They will also begin to study art form from specific and diverse periods of history.   Other genres studied will build on previous techniques learned in Key Stage 1 and include more complex techniques in printmaking, drawing, painting and textiles.

In Year 4, children will develop more specialised techniques in drawing, painting, printmaking and sculpture.  They will also explore ways in which ancient cultures have influenced arts and crafts.

In Year 5, children will develop and combined more complex artistic techniques in a range of genres, including drawing, painting, printmaking and sculpture.  They will also continue to build on their understanding of other historical periods and cultures.

In Year 6, children will be encouraged to work more independently in projects that will require them to consider more conceptual representations and personal, environmental, social or political messaging.  They will also explore diversity in art.

Projects are placed alongside other subject projects where there are opportunities for making meaningful connections. For example, Beautiful Botanicals has been placed in the same teaching sequence as the science project Plant Nutrition and reproduction.  This allows the children to approach their study of art with a degree of confidence and ‘expertise’ and to consolidate their knowledge by creating connections between the different disciplines. 

The impact for our Art and Design curriculum will be evidenced through Progression of Skills and Progression of Vocabulary documents.  Assessment of this subject will be based on Teachers monitoring whether children are ‘on track’ or ‘not on track’ for specific areas of the art and design curriculum.  Monitoring will be measured through pupil voice, pupil engagement and quality of work produced.  Children’s sketchbooks and photographic evidence of work displayed will source the quality of work produced.

Cornerstones have ten Big ideas which thread through their curriculum and we have linked these to our whole school vision – 

From the smallest seeds grow the biggest trees

OUR CHRISTIAN VISION

“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed. A man plants the seed in his field.  That seed is the smallest of all seeds. But when it grows, it is one of the largest garden plants. It becomes a tree, big enough for the wild birds to come and make nests in its branches.”

Matthew 13:31-32, International Children’s Bible

We believe each child is like a mustard seed, growing and thriving in our Church school family.  All children are nurtured here and flourish through our teaching and care.  We empower children to seek out the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life; children are inspired to be the best that they can be. Everyone is valued and able to grow in the love of God.

Whoever you are, you are welcome here.