Art Curriculum Intent
Our art curriculum is designed to offer all of our pupils a high-quality art education, which inspires them to develop creativity, self-expression and confidence. Our curriculum is designed to equip pupils with a range of artistic skills and contextual knowledge, which will enable them to create their unique pieces of art. Many of which are inspired by influential and famous artists, including artists local to Yorkshire. We aim to widen their cultural experiences and develop their appreciation of diversity within the arts. At Dean Field, we hope to inspire children and allow them to realise that a career within art is achievable.
Our art curriculum is organised into three key components that we feel will support our pupils in building and deepening their knowledge throughout their school life and make the learning stick. The three main components are the art of drawing and painting, printing and sculpture. Children will explore and create with many different mediums to extend this knowledge, such as mixed media, collage, 3D forms, and digital art. Opportunities are provided frequently to celebrate the children’s artistic achievements to enable them to grow in confidence throughout their school life. When pupils leave us, we aim to have formed a strong foundation of art skills though a range of different tools, skills and knowledge, which they will build upon as they become young artists their own right.
Art in the classroom
Aims for pupils
At Dean Field, our art curriculum aims to ensure that all pupils:
- Enjoy creating art and feel confident to explore and express their own ideas.
- Develop skills in drawing and painting, printing and sculpture using a range of materials and tools.
- Experiment with different techniques and media, learning that art is a journey of exploration and improvement.
- Learn about a range of artists, designers and craft makers, including local artists from Yorkshire, and understand how art reflects different cultures and times.
- Use sketchbooks to record ideas, practise skills and develop their own creative work.
- Talk about their own artwork and the work of others using simple art vocabulary.
- Take pride in their achievements and develop resilience by reflecting on and improving their work.
- Leave Dean Field with a strong foundation of art skills and a positive belief that creativity and careers in art are valued and achievable.
How our Art Curriculum Is Constructed
Art and Design at Dean Field is carefully sequenced from the Early Years through to Key Stage 2 to ensure progression in skills, knowledge and confidence. Teaching begins in EYFS, where children explore materials and techniques through a balance of child-initiated and adult-led activities, developing core artistic skills and early understanding of artists and art vocabulary. In Key Stage 1, pupils build on this foundation using sketchbooks as a safe space to practise, refine techniques and develop ideas, while learning about colour, line, shape, texture, form and pattern through a range of media and artist studies. In Key Stage 2, pupils deepen their use of sketchbooks to record observations, revisit ideas and take ownership of their creative thinking, improving their mastery of techniques and developing contextual knowledge of artists. The curriculum is underpinned by the EYFS Framework and National Curriculum, supported by a clear progression map, long- and medium-term planning, and enrichment through an Artist in Residence, ensuring all pupils access a rich, inclusive and ambitious art education.
Long Term Planning
1 – Progression of Art
2 – Colour Mixing Progression
3 – Substantive Disciplinary Procedural Knowledge
Art Must Knows
Below is a selection of the Must Knows that we provide for each year group, for each art topic covered. These Must Knows are designed to be used at home by parents as part of homework and revision, in school to supplement work in lessons and to recap previous learning. We want every pupil to be able to recall the facts given on the sheet but also to research further into the information provided. These are carefully structured so that knowledge and vocabulary are sequenced and built upon over time. We are confident that these Must Knows will help our children to develop and retain key knowledge on a wide range of topics and will significantly improve their vocabulary.
A full range of Art Must Knows can be found on each class’ Seesaw account.
Enrichment Opportunities
At Dean Field, we offer a wide range of art enrichment opportunities that inspire creativity and enthusiasm for the arts. Pupils can take part in art competitions throughout the year, enjoy parent workshops, act as Art Ambassadors within the school who help create art for school and judge competitions, work closely with professionals through our Artist in Residence programme where each class spends a half term with our artist in residence, Tony Bullock. We also provide an after-school art club as well as a Friday afternoon art clubs, giving children regular opportunities to develop their skills and express their creativity. These experiences are further enhanced through art trips, where pupils visit galleries and exhibitions, broadening their understanding of art beyond the classroom.
