Art Intent – What We Want for Your Child

At Green Park, we believe that Art and Design is a vital part of every child's education. Our curriculum inspires pupils to become creative, confident and reflective artists who are able to communicate ideas, emotions and experiences through a wide range of artistic processes. We aim to develop children's curiosity, imagination and resilience whilst providing opportunities to appreciate the diverse artistic heritage of Britain and the wider world.

Our curriculum is built around the three strands of Explore, Create and Reflect, which are woven throughout every unit of learning. Children explore a range of artists, investigate artistic techniques and materials, and develop an understanding of how art reflects historical, cultural and social contexts. They then create increasingly ambitious artwork by applying their developing knowledge and skills before reflecting critically on both their own work and that of others to refine their ideas and deepen their understanding.

Learning is carefully sequenced through the four golden threads of Craft, Sculpture, Paint and Colour, and Drawing and Composition, ensuring that pupils build both substantive knowledge (what artists know) and disciplinary knowledge (how artists work). Knowledge, vocabulary and practical skills are deliberately revisited and extended so that children become increasingly independent, knowledgeable and skilful artists.

Children study a diverse range of significant artists from Hans Holbein to Yayoi Kusama and artistic traditions including Roman mosaics, Stone Age cave art and Benin Bronzes. These studies help pupils understand how art reflects different cultures, beliefs, identities and historical periods while broadening their appreciation of creativity across the world.

We have high expectations for every child. Through carefully planned support, rich practical experiences and ambitious outcomes, all pupils, including those with additional needs, are enabled to access, enjoy and succeed within the art curriculum.

Art Implementation – Bringing Creativity to Life in the Classroom

Art is taught through a progressive curriculum which develops children's knowledge, technical skills and artistic understanding from the Early Years through to Year 6. In the Early Years, children develop the foundations of artistic learning through exploration of colour, texture, shape, pattern and form within the Expressive Arts and Design curriculum before building on these experiences throughout Key Stages 1 and 2.

Each unit follows our consistent learning cycle:

• Explore – pupils investigate materials, techniques and processes whilst studying significant artists and understanding the historical and cultural context of their work.
• Create – pupils develop ideas through experimentation before producing increasingly refined and original artwork using a range of media.
• Reflect – pupils evaluate their own work and the work of others using progressively sophisticated artistic vocabulary, identifying strengths and considering how work can be improved.

Across the curriculum, pupils develop increasing confidence when using drawing, painting, sculpture and mixed media. They learn to experiment with materials, manipulate tools with increasing precision, apply colour theory, develop observational drawing, understand composition, and create increasingly sophisticated three-dimensional work. Knowledge and vocabulary are explicitly taught and revisited to ensure children retain and apply key concepts with confidence.

Sketchbooks are an integral part of learning. They provide a space for pupils to explore ideas, practise techniques, record observations, annotate artistic decisions and reflect upon their learning over time. Children are encouraged to experiment without fear of failure, recognising that refinement is an essential part of the artistic process.

Teaching promotes creativity alongside technical progression. Lessons include direct teaching of new techniques, opportunities for experimentation, discussion of artistic vocabulary, retrieval of prior learning and independent application. Children regularly analyse the work of artists, make comparisons between styles and periods, and explain how artistic choices communicate meaning.

Progression is carefully mapped so that pupils move from simple exploration and basic techniques in Key Stage 1 towards increasingly sophisticated artistic decision-making, critical evaluation and independent creative outcomes by the end of Key Stage 2.

Art Impact – The Lasting Benefits for Our Children

The impact of our Art curriculum is demonstrated through the quality of pupils' artwork, the progression evident within sketchbooks and finished outcomes, and children's ability to discuss art confidently using appropriate subject-specific vocabulary.

By the end of Year 6, pupils have developed a secure understanding of artistic processes across Craft, Sculpture, Paint and Colour, and Drawing and Composition. They can confidently select appropriate materials and techniques, justify artistic decisions, evaluate their own work critically and explain how artists communicate ideas, culture, identity and meaning.

Children leave our school with:

• secure artistic knowledge and technical skills that have been developed progressively over time;
• confidence to experiment creatively, take risks and refine their work;
• an appreciation of a diverse range of artists, cultures and historical periods;
• the ability to analyse, evaluate and discuss artwork using accurate artistic vocabulary;
• resilience, independence and pride in their creative achievements.

Assessment is ongoing throughout each unit through observation, discussion, sketchbook evidence and completed outcomes. Teachers use the progression of knowledge and skills to identify next steps and ensure pupils are ready to build upon previous learning. Subject leaders monitor curriculum implementation through sketchbook scrutiny, pupil voice, lesson visits and review of outcomes to ensure the curriculum remains ambitious, inclusive and progressive for all learners.

Our pupils leave primary school as enthusiastic, knowledgeable and reflective young artists who are equipped with the skills, confidence and appreciation of creativity needed for the next stage of their education and beyond.