Intent

At St Stephen's C of E Primary School, we believe every child should become a confident artist, imaginative creator, thoughtful critic and reflective learner with a love of art. Through our Art and Design curriculum, pupils develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to express themselves creatively, explore ideas and appreciate art from a wide range of cultures, traditions and historical periods.

We follow the Kapow Primary Art and Design scheme, providing a carefully sequenced curriculum that meets the requirements of the National Curriculum and builds knowledge and skills progressively from EYFS to Year 6.

Our curriculum develops pupils' understanding across five key strands:

• Generating ideas

• Using sketchbooks

• Making skills and formal elements

• Knowledge of artists

• Evaluating and analysing artwork

Pupils explore drawing, painting, sculpture, craft, textiles, printing, digital art and mixed media while developing creativity, resilience and an appreciation of artists from diverse cultures and artistic traditions.

Implementation

Curriculum Progression

Our curriculum is carefully sequenced so that pupils revisit the key disciplines of drawing, painting, sculpture, craft and design throughout their time at St Stephen's. Each unit builds on prior learning through a spiral curriculum, enabling children to deepen their understanding, refine technical skills and become increasingly independent artists.

In the Early Years, children explore materials, make marks and develop fine motor control through play and continuous provision. In Key Stage 1, pupils develop confidence with colour, line, shape, form and texture while learning about influential artists and experimenting with a range of media. By Key Stage 2, children undertake increasingly ambitious projects involving printing, textiles, digital art, photography, mixed media, installations and sculpture, applying their knowledge creatively while refining and evaluating their work.

Across all year groups, pupils study significant artists, designers and craft makers from different cultures and historical periods. These carefully selected studies broaden cultural

understanding and inspire children to develop their own artistic style and creative voice.

Key Concepts

Learning is centred on creativity, technical skill and critical thinking. Pupils generate ideas, experiment with materials and techniques, use sketchbooks to develop and refine their thinking, and evaluate both their own work and the work of others using increasingly sophisticated artistic vocabulary.

Cross-Curricular Links

Art enriches learning across the wider curriculum through meaningful links with history, geography, English, science and RE. Many projects connect creatively to class topics, while opportunities to visit galleries and experience artwork first-hand help pupils develop a deeper appreciation of art and culture.

Impact

By the end of Year 6, pupils leave St Stephen's as confident, creative and reflective artists who have developed the knowledge, skills and confidence to continue their artistic journey at secondary school and beyond.

Our pupils will:

• Use a wide range of artistic techniques and media with confidence

• Develop and communicate original creative ideas

• Evaluate and refine their own work while responding thoughtfully to the work of others

• Understand and appreciate the work of significant artists, designers and craft makers

• Value art from a diverse range of cultures, traditions and historical periods

Assessment is ongoing throughout each unit through sketchbooks, practical outcomes, pupil discussion and teacher assessment. Clear progression from Reception to Year 6 ensures every child develops secure artistic knowledge, technical skills and creative confidence before moving on to increasingly ambitious artistic experiences.