Implementation

How each unit works:

Each unit plans to meet the criteria of the National Curriculum, extending children’s art historical knowledge and developing their artistic skills. As children move through year groups, they will build upon taught skills, working with increasing accuracy, independence and creativity. Artistic skills and techniques are revisited and built upon on rotation as the children move through the different key stages.

Each unit of learning is planned around one or two of the visual elements of art, which are then linked to a particular artistic movement, artist or skill, or a combination of all. Children’s understanding of the core skills highlighted within each unit will grow over a sequence of lessons, through various practical tasks. The planned sessions build towards one or more main artistic outcomes, with value also being given to preliminary sketches and exploratory pieces of work. Discussion and visual analysis of art works is encouraged in every art lesson.

At the end of each unit, children will spend time evaluating their own final outcome and considering their personal learning journey. They will also be encouraged to critically evaluate the work of their peers, and engage in discussion to provide constructive and useful feedback.

Artistic knowledge: -

• Significant artistic movements, style and artists/designers from around the world
• Key works of art – linked to the above
• Chronological knowledge/understanding – dates, events, comparisons
• Artistic and art historical vocabulary and terms

Artistic skills: -

• Observation and visual analysis – ‘reading’ a work of art
• Drawing – grades of pencils and drawing materials, line, form, shading, tone
• Painting – different techniques and styles, colour, light
• Printing – graphics and design, colour, pattern and repetition
• Collage (mixed-media)
• Textiles
• Sculptural form - 3D modelling in clay, playdough, papier-mâché

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

In the Early Years Foundation Stage, children are actively encouraged to independently explore artistic pursuits, including mark-making, painting, junk modelling and other aspects of creative play through one of the 7 areas of learning; ‘Expressive arts and design’. In this area children develop their imagination, creativity and their ability to use media and materials. Children do this in a range of ways including singing songs and making music, dancing, playing with colours, textures and designs. This emerging knowledge and understanding can be used to explore crucial early artistic skills. By the time children are in Reception, they will be increasingly able to use what they have learnt to independently explore their own artistic ideas.  

The early learning goals in the EYFS aim to guide children in their exploration and experimentation of materials, tools, colours and textures. Through this, they can begin to attribute meaning to the marks and shapes they make.

Key Stage 1

In Years 1 and 2, children begin to develop an awareness of art as a subject of learning. They develop key skills of looking at and discussing works of art and architecture with their peers, giving their opinions and linking to their own experiences. Children learn to recognise and vocalise similarities and differences between different works of art. Children begin to use artistic vocabulary and specific terms to describe what they see or what they are doing. A ‘hands on’ approach is key, and children will have many opportunities to use taught skills and methods to create their own works of art, both individually, and in small groups. Drawing is central to our art curriculum, and across Key Stage 1, children will also learn skills in painting, sculpture, collage and printing.

KS1 Art Curriculum Map:

Key Stage 2

In Years 3 to 6, children continue to explore key artists and artistic movements and styles, building on their understanding of chronology and their developing knowledge of world history. Visual analysis of works of art and architecture continues to play a central role in learning across the year groups, building on experiences of discussion in KS1. Over time, children learn to not only give their own opinions of a work of art, but to also draw on known historical or cultural context, and to make comparisons. They continue to develop use of appropriate artistic and art historical terms, new vocabulary and consolidate artistic language from KS1. Children begin to talk about their creative ideas, and make preliminary sketches, drawings and plans before starting larger projects. Children continue to explore taught skills in printing, sculpture, painting, collage and drawing. They learn to operate with more accuracy and independence, using familiar and newly-introduced tools and media with growing skill. Creativity, quality and originality of thought is encouraged. Through exploration and discussion, children secure their understanding of the visual elements of art, and begin to understand the important role of art and art appreciation within historical and modern society.

KS2 Art Curriculum Map: