Our Art and Design Curriculum

Overview

At Great Bardfield Primary School, our Art and Design curriculum encourages creativity, curiosity and confidence. We believe every child is an artist and should have opportunities to explore ideas, experiment with materials and develop their own creative voice.

Our Curriculum

Our Art and Design curriculum is carefully sequenced so that pupils develop both practical artistic skills and an understanding of how artists work. Pupils explore a range of materials, techniques and styles while learning about significant artists, designers and artistic movements from different cultures and time periods. Our Art and Design curriculum is based on the Learning Challenge Curriculum and adapted for our children and context. It builds knowledge and skills step by step, helping children think, plan and work like artists and designers. Each unit allows pupils to research artists, experiment with materials, develop ideas and create their own work. Have a look at our EYFS Curriculum to see how we link with Expressive Arts and Design in Reception. Teachers adapt learning where necessary so that all pupils, including those with SEND or disadvantaged backgrounds, can access the same ambitious curriculum.

Developing Skills and Creativity

Progression in Art and Design is built through a structured approach where pupils develop increasingly sophisticated techniques as they move through the school. Pupils regularly plan, experiment and evaluate their work, learning how artists refine and improve ideas. Sketchbooks are central to this process. They allow pupils to record research, practise techniques, develop designs and reflect on their learning. Over time, sketchbooks show clear progression in pupils’ skills, creativity and confidence.

Learning About Artists

Pupils study a wide range of artists, designers and artistic movements. They explore techniques, styles and cultural contexts, helping them understand how artists develop ideas and inspiring their own creative work.

What Art and Design Looks Like at Great Bardfield Primary School

In Art and Design lessons pupils:

explore a variety of materials and techniques
use sketchbooks to develop and refine ideas
learn about artists and artistic styles
reflect on and evaluate their work
develop confidence and independence as artists.

We encourage pupils to value the creative process as well as the final outcome.

Ensuring High-Quality Teaching

The quality of Art and Design teaching is reviewed through our Subject Spotlight monitoring process, which includes sketchbook reviews, lesson visits, pupil voice and professional dialogue with staff. Curriculum leaders share effective practice and identify professional development where needed.

The Impact of Art and Design

Through Art and Design, pupils develop creativity, resilience and confidence. They learn to express ideas visually, experiment with techniques and reflect on their work. Studying artists from different cultures and time periods also broadens pupils’ cultural understanding and appreciation of the wider world.

Links Across the Curriculum

Art and Design is often linked with other subjects, including History and Religious Education, allowing pupils to make meaningful connections across the curriculum and deepen their understanding of the world around them.