Art and Design at our academy engages, inspires and challenges pupils. It equips them with the knowledge and skills to imitate, innovate and invent their own works of art.

Opportunities are provided to express their own point of view. This is done through studying great artists and designers in history and comparing them to contemporary modern-day works of art. Children develop their knowledge and thought processes through their sketch books. We put value on the children’s creativity so we have introduced sketch books from year one.

The art and design curriculum reflects the needs of our pupils. It broadens and deepens their vocabulary. It develops greater oracy skills and helps them to self-regulate their emotions. As a result, it improves their mental health.

We have placed an emphasis on the medias of drawing and painting throughout school. Each class is given a range of focus artists. Pupils can develop a deeper understanding of the different techniques used to depict and represent ideas. Pupils reflect on and evaluate artworks and use this to inspire their own works of art.

In Nursery, the pupil’s love and exploration of art begins. Pupils can develop the process of producing a meaningful piece of art that is valued and personal every day. They investigate and experience what happens if changes are made to their media. For example, mixing colours or adding texture.

In Reception, pupils use different medias to represent their ideas and feelings. Pupils begin to use a range of techniques and tools to explore colour, patterns and textures. Pupils in EYFS are encouraged to create artwork through everyday provision activities. This is in addition to focussed art lessons. During our art lessons, pupils are split into key groups where they learn to analyse, reflect and evaluate the works of famous artists. Pupils then transfer this understanding into creations of their own.

In Key Stage 1, pupils explore line, colour and shape. They experiment with pattern and texture through paint and drawing. In Key Stage 1, pupils master printing as their additional media. They create a greater understanding of the different styles, techniques and artists.

In Key Stage 2, children explore the additional elements of form and space. They also extend their knowledge of line, colour, shape, pattern and texture within their own painting and drawing. In Lower Key Stage 2 pupils master collage and textiles as their additional media. They create a greater understanding of the different styles, techniques and artists. In Upper Key Stage 2, pupils master sculpture as their additional media. They create a greater understanding of the different styles, techniques and artists.

Art and Design Intent

Our art and design curriculum inspires and challenges our pupils. The art and design units promote experimentation, invention and creativity. We look at a range of influential artists and designers. This develops pupils’ knowledge and skills. We develop lifelong artists through our key drivers:

Pupils develop a greater understanding of artistic skills throughout the primary phase.  Art and design explores questions about the impact and effect art can have on different times, cultures and people. Pupils explore the many forms of art and creativity. They explore sculpture, painting and colour mixing, shading techniques and the use of texture and colour for example.

Pupils also learn about influential people who have affected the art and design world. These may be architects, artists or designers. By learning about these people, we aim to inspire pupils. As a result, we encourage pupils to express themselves and understand how art is applied to the real world.

The strands in art are:

At Simpson’s Lane Academy, we pride ourselves on creating spaces that can nurture and enable children to express themselves in the arts. Every child across Year 1- Year 6 in school have access to Art lessons in our fully equipped Art Room. The children enjoy imitating, innovating and inventing their own works of art, in a room that is purely dedicated the subject.