Art and Design at Elham Church of England Primary School

Intent

At Elham Church of England Primary School, our Art & Design curriculum is rooted in our Christian vision and values of Empathy, Faith, Achievement and Community. We believe that art is a powerful means through which children can explore identity, express belief and emotion, understand others and engage thoughtfully with the world around them. Our intent is to ensure that all pupils experience high-quality art education that develops creativity, confidence and cultural understanding, while equipping them with the skills and knowledge to think and work as artists.

We intend for pupils to develop strong practical skills across a range of disciplines, including drawing, painting, sculpture, collage, printmaking and textiles. Alongside this, pupils build secure knowledge of materials, tools and techniques, and learn how artists use these intentionally to communicate ideas and meaning. Pupils are taught about a diverse range of artists, styles and traditions, helping them to understand how art reflects and shapes cultural, historical and social contexts. This supports the development of Empathy, enabling pupils to appreciate different perspectives and experiences through creative work.

In line with Ofsted’s Art and Design Research Review, our curriculum is designed to balance practical, theoretical and disciplinary knowledge. Pupils are supported not only to make art, but to understand how artworks are created, evaluated and refined. Creativity is taught explicitly, with pupils encouraged to explore ideas, take risks, persevere through challenges and reflect on outcomes. This reflects our value of Achievement, where success is measured through growth, effort and resilience as well as finished outcomes. Art also provides opportunities for pupils to explore and express aspects of Faith, recognising the role creativity has played in worship, belief and storytelling across time and cultures.

Implementation

Our Art & Design curriculum is underpinned by the Kapow Primary scheme, which provides a carefully sequenced progression of skills, knowledge and vocabulary from Early Years through to Year 6. At Elham Church of England Primary School, pupils in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 are taught in mixed-year group classes. To ensure clear progression and full curriculum coverage for all pupils, Art & Design is taught weekly and delivered through a structured A/B cycle of learning, enabling pupils to access a broad and balanced curriculum over time without unnecessary repetition.

While Kapow provides the foundation for curriculum planning, it is used as a planning tool rather than a prescribed script. Teachers are expected to adapt lessons to best meet the context, needs and prior knowledge of their classes. Professional judgement is actively promoted and valued, with teachers making informed decisions about pace, scaffolding, challenge and creative opportunities. This approach ensures learning remains responsive and inclusive, and reflects Ofsted’s emphasis on the central role of teacher expertise in delivering high-quality art education.

The A/B cycle is carefully designed so that artistic skills, techniques and knowledge are revisited and built upon with increasing depth, complexity and independence. Within each cycle, teachers differentiate expectations appropriately, enabling younger pupils to secure foundational skills while older pupils refine techniques, apply knowledge more independently and engage in more sophisticated evaluation and reflection. This supports coherent progression across mixed-age classes.

Teaching focuses on clear modelling, explicit instruction and guided practice, alongside opportunities for pupils to experiment, explore and develop personal responses. Sketchbooks are used to record ideas, practise techniques, annotate learning and reflect on progress, supporting the development of artistic thinking over time. Discussion and critique are integral to lessons, with pupils encouraged to use subject-specific vocabulary to talk about their own work and that of others.

Art & Design is celebrated as a valued part of school life and our wider Community. Pupils are encouraged to participate in enrichment opportunities such as local art competitions, including village events, and national design challenges. Their work is shared through displays and exhibitions, giving pupils authentic audiences and reinforcing the importance of creativity within and beyond the classroom. Teachers are supported through professional development and collaboration to ensure confidence and consistency in subject delivery.

Adaptive teaching strategies ensure that all pupils, including those with SEND and those from disadvantaged backgrounds, can access and succeed in the art curriculum. Scaffolded support and opportunities for extension ensure equity, challenge and inclusion for all learners.

Impact

The impact of our Art & Design curriculum is demonstrated through the quality of pupils’ work, their developing confidence as artists and their ability to articulate ideas, techniques and intentions with increasing sophistication. In line with Ofsted guidance, assessment in art is primarily formative and is embedded within teaching. Teachers use ongoing observation, discussion, critique and review of sketchbooks and completed outcomes to understand what pupils know, remember and can do, and to inform next steps in learning.

Pupils’ sketchbooks and finished pieces show clear progression over time in technical skill, use of materials, creativity and independence. As pupils move through the school, they demonstrate increasing control, resilience and willingness to experiment, as well as a growing understanding of artistic vocabulary and concepts. Pupils are able to reflect on their own work and that of others, suggesting improvements and articulating artistic choices.

We do not rely on internal numerical assessment data for Art & Design, recognising that this would not accurately capture the richness or purpose of the subject. Instead, impact is evaluated through curriculum reviews, work scrutiny across year groups, pupil voice and teacher professional dialogue, ensuring consistency with our curriculum intent and high expectations.

Pupils demonstrate high levels of engagement and enjoyment in art lessons and enrichment opportunities, reflecting research evidence from the Education Endowment Foundation that arts participation supports positive attitudes to learning, wellbeing and confidence. Success in external competitions and community events further evidences pupils’ creative confidence and pride in their achievements.