Art
“Art gives us the freedom to imagine, explore, experiment and express our ideas in our own unique way.”
As a Church of England primary school, our Christian values of Love & Kindness, Friendship, Respect, Justice, Freedom & Responsibility, and Equality underpin our approach to education.
Art and Design provides opportunities for children to explore their creativity, express their individuality and appreciate the work and perspectives of others.
Our LIVE vision is reflected in Art through:
L – Life-Long Learners: Developing curiosity, creativity and a willingness to explore new ideas.
I – Immersive: Learning through practical experiences, experimentation and creative exploration.
V – Valuing Diversity: Discovering artists and artistic traditions from different cultures, backgrounds and periods.
E – Enquiring Minds: Investigating techniques, making creative decisions and reflecting on ideas.
Intent: What do we want our pupils to learn?
At Bickerton Holy Trinity, we believe that Art and Design provides every child with opportunities to develop creativity, imagination and self-expression.
Our ambition is for pupils to become confident, curious and independent artists who can explore ideas, develop practical skills and communicate their thoughts through creative work.
Through a broad and progressive curriculum, children develop knowledge of artistic techniques, materials and processes, alongside an appreciation of art from different cultures and periods.
We want pupils to understand that art is a means of communication and personal expression, where experimentation, reflection and individuality are valued.
Above all, we aim to nurture creative resilience, encouraging children to take risks, persevere and develop their own artistic voice.
Implementation: How do we teach Art and Design?
At Bickerton Holy Trinity, we use the AccessArt Primary Art Curriculum to support a broad, ambitious and creative approach to Art and Design.
Learning is organised through pathways that introduce and revisit artistic knowledge, techniques and processes in increasing depth.
Our mixed-age curriculum is planned to ensure appropriate progression and coverage, taking account of pupils' previous experiences and learning.
Teaching balances the development of technical skills with opportunities for exploration and independent decision-making.
Developing artistic knowledge and skills
Children develop an understanding of the visual elements of art: line, shape, form, colour, tone, texture, pattern and space.
Through drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, textiles and other creative processes, pupils explore how materials and techniques can be used to communicate ideas and create different effects.
Skills are revisited and refined throughout the curriculum, enabling children to make increasingly informed artistic choices.
Progression through the school
Reception
Through Expressive Arts and Design, children explore materials, colours, textures and creative techniques through play and practical experiences.
They develop fine motor control, experiment with mark-making and begin to express their ideas through drawing, painting, modelling and other creative activities.
Key Stage 1
Children build on their early experiences by developing greater control in drawing, painting and sculpture, alongside exploring collage, printing and other techniques.
They begin to recognise artistic elements, experiment with materials and discuss their own work and the work of others.
Key Stage 2
Pupils refine their technical skills and develop increasing independence in selecting materials, applying techniques and communicating artistic intentions.
They explore more complex approaches to composition, proportion, perspective and form, drawing inspiration from artists, architects, craftspeople and designers.
Sketchbooks and the creative process
Sketchbooks provide opportunities for children to investigate ideas, practise techniques, experiment and record their creative thinking.
They are used as working documents rather than simply collections of finished pieces.
Through discussion, annotation and reflection, pupils learn to develop their ideas, consider alternatives and make purposeful improvements.
We value the creative process as much as the final outcome, recognising that experimentation and mistakes are important parts of learning.
Artists, cultures and creative inspiration
Children study a diverse range of historical and contemporary artists, craftspeople and designers.
They explore different artistic styles, traditions and cultural influences, developing an understanding of how art communicates ideas, beliefs and experiences.
These encounters inspire children's own creative responses and support our commitment to valuing diversity.
High-quality teaching and inclusion
Our Art and Design curriculum is ambitious and accessible to all pupils.
In line with our Ordinarily Available Inclusive Provision (OAIP) approach, teachers use modelling, visual examples, explicit vocabulary teaching, scaffolding and appropriate adaptations.
Children are encouraged to develop individual responses and experience artistic success regardless of their starting points.
Impact: How do we know our Art and Design curriculum is successful?
By the end of their time at Bickerton, we want pupils to:
Demonstrate artistic knowledge and skill: Use a range of materials, techniques and visual elements with increasing confidence and control.
Think and work creatively: Generate, explore and develop original ideas, making purposeful artistic choices.
Understand and appreciate art: Discuss the work of artists, craftspeople and designers, recognising different styles, cultures and influences.
Reflect and improve: Use sketchbooks, discussion and feedback to evaluate and refine their work.
Show creative resilience: Experiment, embrace challenges and recognise that artistic development involves exploration and perseverance.
Express themselves confidently: Communicate ideas, experiences and emotions through their artwork.
Teachers assess progress through observation, sketchbooks, practical outcomes and pupil discussion, considering how effectively children apply their knowledge and develop their ideas.
Our aim is for children to leave Bickerton with the skills, understanding and confidence to continue exploring art and expressing themselves creatively.
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