Intent
At Eastlands Primary School, we believe that Art and Design is a vital part of every child's education. It plays a significant role within the curriculum and provides valuable opportunities for creativity, self-expression and cultural understanding. Through our art curriculum, children develop critical thinking skills and gain an appreciation of their own and others' cultural heritage by studying a diverse range of male and female artists from different backgrounds and traditions.
At Eastlands, we follow the Kapow Primary Art and Design curriculum from Years 1 to 6. This programme builds on the National Curriculum and provides a broad, balanced and progressive sequence of learning experiences. It enables children to develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to become confident artists while allowing opportunities for adaptation to meet the needs and interests of our pupils.
Through carefully planned and adapted lessons, children develop an understanding of the visual language of art and design. They explore and apply the key elements of art, including line, tone, texture, colour, pattern, shape and form. Pupils are encouraged to experiment, create, evaluate and reflect on their work and the work of others, enabling them to develop confidence, resilience and a lifelong appreciation of the arts. Our curriculum provides all children with the opportunity to reach their full potential and express themselves through a wide range of artistic experiences.
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
In the Early Years Foundation Stage, Art and Design is delivered through a combination of adult-led activities and child-initiated learning opportunities, both indoors and outdoors, linked to the Development Matters framework. Through the Expressive Arts and Design area of learning, children are encouraged to explore a wide range of media, materials and creative techniques while developing their imagination and curiosity.
Creative experiences are woven throughout the EYFS curriculum and children have continuous access to art materials, creative resources and role-play opportunities across all areas of learning. These experiences support the development of fine motor skills, communication and language, problem-solving, self-expression and confidence, providing strong foundations for future learning in Art and Design.
Department of Education - Art and Design programmes of study
Implementation
The knowledge and skills that children develop throughout each Art and Design unit are carefully mapped across year groups to ensure clear progression throughout the school. This enables pupils to build on prior learning and develop increasing confidence, independence and mastery in a range of artistic disciplines.
At Eastlands, Art and Design is taught weekly throughout the academic year, enabling children to develop their knowledge, skills and creativity over time. Regular lessons allow pupils to revisit and build upon previous learning, refine techniques and explore ideas in greater depth. This consistent approach supports progression across a range of artistic disciplines while providing opportunities for children to experiment, evaluate and improve their work. Through sustained engagement with artistic processes, pupils develop confidence, resilience and a deeper understanding of art and design as they progress through the school.
A strong emphasis on knowledge ensures that children understand the context of the artwork they study, including the lives, influences and techniques of significant artists, craftspeople and designers. This creates meaningful links with other curriculum areas, particularly history and geography, and helps pupils develop a rich understanding of artistic movements, cultures and traditions from across the world.
Alongside this knowledge, children progressively develop and apply key artistic skills through drawing, painting, printing, textiles, sculpture and mixed media. They are encouraged to experiment, take risks, evaluate their work and develop their own creative voice. Our high-quality curriculum is enhanced through access to a wide range of resources and materials, enabling children to work with increasing confidence and competence across different artistic media. Through these experiences, pupils learn to appreciate, enjoy and value art while developing the skills and creativity needed to become successful lifelong learners.
Art and Design Subject Drivers
Art and Design Curriculum Kapow
Art and Design Knowledge Organisers
Impact
The impact of our Art and Design curriculum is evident in the high-quality work produced by pupils and the pride they take in their artistic achievements. Children demonstrate increasing confidence, creativity and resilience as they develop and apply their knowledge and skills across a range of artistic disciplines. Their work reflects progression in both technical ability and creative thinking, while also showing an appreciation of the artists, cultures and artistic movements they have studied.
Art and Design contributes positively to outcomes across the wider curriculum, enabling pupils to apply their creativity, observational skills and critical thinking in a variety of contexts. Children are able to discuss their learning using appropriate artistic vocabulary and confidently evaluate their own work and that of others.
The school environment celebrates and showcases pupils' artistic achievements through high-quality displays and exhibitions, reinforcing the value placed on the arts at Eastlands. Artwork is displayed throughout the school, creating an inspiring learning environment and fostering a sense of pride and accomplishment among pupils.
Our Art and Design curriculum also makes a significant contribution to pupils' personal development. Through creative experiences, children develop independence, perseverance, self-expression, judgement and self-reflection. They learn to appreciate diverse cultures and perspectives, express their ideas confidently and develop a lifelong appreciation of art and creativity.
Learning In The Classroom
Year 5 Remember
