Art and Design at Sutton Bonington

Curriculum Intent

We aim to develop creativity, set challenges, engage and inspire children and equip them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art.  Our Art curriculum provides children with opportunities to develop their skills using a range of media and materials. Children learn the techniques of colour, pattern, texture, line, shape, form and space through the skills of drawing, painting and sculpture. Children will be introduced to a range of works and develop knowledge of the styles and vocabulary used by famous artists.

Our curriculum is cross-curricular and children are given the opportunity to develop Art within other subjects such as Maths where they will be looking at repeating patterns and 2D and 3D shapes. In Art, children are expected to be reflective and evaluate their work, thinking about how they can make changes and keep improving.

Curriculum Implementation

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, artists and art movements. 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. Where possible, projects with similar materials are spaced out to have as little strain on resources as possible. For example, in Key Stage 1, clay work is taught in different terms. Seasons are also a consideration for the placement of art and design 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.

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. 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.

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 Year 3, children expand their experiences to study a broader range of art forms, artists and genres. They also begin to study art from specific and diverse periods of history, including 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 textiles. In Year 4, children develop more specialised techniques in drawing, painting, printmaking and sculpture. They explore ways in which ancient cultures have influenced art and crafts by studying, for example, medieval weaving techniques and the religious significance of Islamic art.

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. In Year 5, children develop and combine more complex artistic techniques in a range of genres, including drawing, painting, printmaking and sculpture. Children continue to build on their understanding of other historical periods and cultures by studying the ancient Chinese art form of taotie and the significance of the Expressionist movement. In Year 6, children are encouraged to work more independently in projects like Environmental Artists and Distortion and Abstraction. Such projects require them to consider more conceptual representations of personal, environmental, social or political messaging. Children explore diversity in art by studying the projects Inuit and Trailblazers, Barrier Breakers.

Curriculum Impact

By the time they leave our school, our children will be both skilled and empowered to appreciate visual, tactile and sensory experiences and a special way of understanding and responding to the world. We focus on progression of knowledge, skills and discreet vocabulary. Our art curriculum enables children of all abilities to be able to develop their knowledge and understanding of the work of artists, craftspeople and designers from a range of times and cultures and apply this knowledge to their own work. The children will learn to communicate what they see, feel and think through the use of colour, texture, form, pattern and different materials and processes. When reflecting they will learn to discuss their thoughts, ideas, processes and evaluations of work.