Art

“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up”

Pablo Picasso

Art at Lydd Primary School

Art is a foundation subject of the National Curriculum and an important part of developing our children’s ability to develop their individual creativity, express their ideas and understanding and to work both individually and collaboratively with others. Each year group plans art lessons, which aim to ensure that children can develop key skills using specific media. The importance of Art is evident through these detailed cohesive whole school linked plans emphasizing a focus on the same element of art or skill to illustrate and inform progression through the educational phases. Our aim is to ensure that children are confident approaching artwork, feel a strong sense of achievement and value the impact of art within their own lives.

The national curriculum for art and design aims to ensure that all pupils:

produce creative work, exploring their ideas and recording their experiences
become proficient in drawing, painting, sculpture and other art, craft and design techniques
evaluate and analyse creative works using the language of art, craft and design know about great artists, craft makers and designers, and understand the historical and cultural development of their art forms.

Curriculum Intent

At Lydd Primary School, we intend for all children to see themselves as artists. Our Art and Design curriculum is designed to foster creativity, self-expression, and critical thinking through a rich variety of artistic experiences. We aim to develop confident, reflective, and imaginative learners who can explore and communicate their ideas through a range of media.

We aim to ensure that all pupils:

Explore and experiment with a wide range of materials, tools, and techniques, including drawing, painting, sculpture, collage, and digital media.
Develop technical skills progressively and apply them in increasingly sophisticated ways.
Learn about great artists, craft makers, and designers from different periods, cultures, and backgrounds, recognising the diversity of artistic expression.
Use art as a vehicle for self-expression, imagination, and emotional wellbeing.
Understand and apply the language of art, using appropriate vocabulary to evaluate and discuss their own work and that of others.

Curriculum Implementation

At Lydd Primary School, we follow the PlanBee Art and Design scheme, which provides a clear and progressive framework for teaching art from Early Years to Year 6. The scheme ensures full coverage of the National Curriculum and allows for skill development, knowledge building, and creative exploration.

We implement our Art and Design curriculum through:

Thematic, skills-based units, taught each term, with opportunities for children to explore a wide range of techniques and media.
Progressive planning, where each year group builds on prior learning to refine and develop artistic skills.
Exposure to a diverse range of artists, movements, and cultural traditions to inspire and broaden pupils’ understanding of the visual arts.
Dedicated vocabulary development, enabling children to discuss and reflect on their work using accurate art-specific language.
Sketchbooks, which are used across KS1 and KS2 as a space for children to explore ideas, test techniques, and reflect on their progress.
Cross-curricular links, where appropriate, to enrich learning and deepen connections across subjects.
Inclusive practices, ensuring that every child, regardless of ability or background, can access and enjoy art.

Early Years Foundation Stage

Pupils explore and use a variety of media and materials through a combination of child initiated and adult directed activities. They have opportunities to learn to:

Explore the textures, movement, feel and look of different media and materials
Respond to a range of media and materials, develop their understanding of them in order to manipulate and create different effects.
Use different media and materials to express their own ideas
Explore colour and use for a particular purpose
Develop skills to use simple tools and techniques competently and appropriately
Select appropriate media and techniques and adapt their work where necessary

Key stage 1

Pupils are taught:

to use a range of materials creatively to design and make products
to use drawing, painting and sculpture to develop and share their ideas, experiences and imagination
to develop a wide range of art and design techniques in using colour, pattern, texture, line, shape, form and space
learn about the work of a range of artists, craft makers and designers, describing the differences and similarities between different practices and disciplines, and making links to their own work.

Key stage 2

Pupils are taught to develop their techniques, including their control and their use of materials, with creativity, experimentation and an increasing awareness of different kinds of art, craft and design.

Pupils are taught:

to create sketch books to record their observations and use them to review and revisit ideas
to improve their mastery of art and design techniques, including drawing, painting and sculpture with a range of materials [for example, pencil, charcoal, paint, clay]
learn about great artists, architects and designers in history.

Curriculum Impact

Through our Art and Design curriculum, children at Lydd Primary School:

Develop confidence in their own creativity, seeing themselves as artists with a unique voice.
Acquire a secure understanding of artistic techniques, media, and processes, and apply these confidently in their work.
Build a broad cultural awareness, learning about influential artists and artistic traditions from around the world.
Become reflective thinkers, able to evaluate their work and others’ constructively and thoughtfully.
Enjoy art as a subject, experiencing it as both a personal and collaborative process, enhancing emotional wellbeing and communication.
Leave primary school with a well-rounded foundation in art, equipped with the skills and appreciation to continue their creative journey into secondary school and beyond.

At Lydd Primary School, we are proud to deliver an Art and Design curriculum that celebrates creativity, values diversity, and inspires lifelong engagement with the visual arts.

Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and British Values

Collaborative work in design and technology develops mutual respect for the differing opinions, beliefs and abilities of others. In addition, children develop a respect for the environment, for their own health and safety and that of others. They learn to appreciate the value of similarities and differences and learn to show tolerance. A variety of experiences teaches them to appreciate that all people – and their views – are equally important. Children are encouraged to work in a democratic way, exercising the ‘give and take’ required for successful teamwork.

Inclusion

Lessons and activities are planned to include all children by using a range of approaches. This includes: questioning, use of equipment and mixed ability grouping to enable children to offer peer support. Lessons are planned to facilitate the best possible outcome for all children within the class.