Art and Design

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Projects are placed alongside other subject projects where there are opportunities for making meaningful connections—for example, the placement of Beautiful Botanicals in the same teaching sequence as the science project Plants. 

Where possible, projects that use similar materials are spaced to have as little strain on resources as possible. For example, in Key Stage 1, clay work is taught in different terms.

Seasonality is also a consideration for the placement of art projects. For example, if children are required to work outdoors, these projects have been placed in either the latter part of the spring or summer term.

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EYFS

Art & Design in EYFS places greater emphasis upon the process than the end result and children’s creativity is fostered in this way. Children are provided with a variety of different medium and resources with which to explore and experiment; making marks, building models, testing ideas, drawing and painting, sculpting and collaging. Media used includes water based and powder paint, chalks, crayons, pens, pastels, water and mud. Opportunities are provided for colour mixing and investigating patterns and colour, as well as still life drawing. Children explore form and texture as they design and build using large and small scale resources.   

In ‘Starry Night’ children explore the juxtaposition of black and white and use paint and chalk to create night time themed pictures. Children are supported in their development of scissor skills and opportunities for using scissors are planned into provision regularly. Children also make puppets using everyday materials and design and make space rockets using different construction equipment, as they begin to experiment with design, form and function. In ‘Dangerous Dinosaurs’ children explore ways of joining materials together as they create junk model dinosaurs and begin to work with clay, making their own dinosaur eggs and dinosaur models. Children also use natural materials as a basis for printing.  

In ‘Sun and Sunflowers’ children are introduced to sculpture as they use natural, found materials to design and make their own arrangements, exploring with texture, colour and form. Children learn about the work of Jackson Pollock. Children design sun hats and make links with sun safety.  

In ‘Big Wide World’ children study pattern and the patterns of different animals before recreating these to make animal masks.  

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Key Stage 1

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 opportunity for children to explore primary and secondary colours.

Year 1 begins 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, the projects expand children’s artistic horizons to study a more comprehensive range of artists, artistic movements and creative techniques.

 

Lower Key Stage 2

In Lower Key Stage 2, children begin by studying 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, as well as further developing their expertise by studying colour families and the colour wheel.

In Year 3, children continue to expand their experiences to study a broader range of artforms, artists and genres. They also begin to study art from specific and diverse periods of history, including the study of prehistoric pottery and Roman mosaics. Other genres studied in Year 3, build on previous techniques learned in Key Stage 1, and include more complex techniques in printmaking, drawing, painting and textile work. 

In Year 4, children develop more specialised techniques in drawing, painting, printmaking and sculpture. They begin to explore ways in which art and crafts are shaped by ancient cultures by studying, for example, medieval weaving techniques and the techniques and religious significance of Islamic art.