Our Approach 

Our curriculum is taught around three key areas, with a central focus in all on exploration and enjoyment.  Whilst we value the 'final 'product' of children's endeavours, we strongly encourage children to spend time exploring different processes, developing their skills and knowledge and recognising how Art can make us feel. 

Our three themes across all year groups are: 

Drawing: Using a range of media to explore and create with such as pencils, charcoals, inks, chalks and pastels. 

Colour: Exploring how colour plays a role in Art, using paints, printing, ink dye, pencils and collage. 

Form: Exploring 2D and 3D form such as sculpture, modelling, materials and fabrics.   

Each year group will learn about different artists, looking at their styles and inspirations.  

Teaching Tools

In our art curriculum, we engage children using key questions that serve as focal points to start their learning journey and to revisit throughout. This approach ensures that the curriculum flows seamlessly between reception and KS1, building on prior knowledge, skills, and understanding in each year group.

Artists: Each year, children explore the works of one or more artists, gaining insight into the diverse ways art can be created and appreciated.

Exploration: Exploration is a key component of our curriculum, providing children with opportunities to freely experiment with the techniques and skills they are taught.

Art Journals: Encouraging children to keep art journals where they can sketch, play and reflect on their learning helps them track their progress and develop a deeper connection with their creative process.  These journals are introduced in Year 1 and progress with the children into Year 2. 

Purpose: Our teaching aims to give children an understanding that art can be something to partake in simply for pleasure, or to create something for others to enjoy, or to express themselves. 

Supporting All Children

Our Art curriculum is designed to ensure all students can participate and express their creativity. Adaptations to materials and tools, such as using larger brushes or textured grips, make it easier for children with fine motor challenges to engage in art activities. The curriculum often includes abstract art projects, allowing students to explore and create without the pressure of always achieving a specific outcome. Emphasising the artistic process over the final product encourages experimentation and personal expression, fostering a supportive environment where every child's effort is valued. This approach helps build confidence and ensures that art is accessible and enjoyable for all our children. 

Assessment 

Assessment in Art involves a holistic approach that values both the creative process and the final artwork. We listen to children's comments about their own work and the work of their peers, gaining insights into their understanding and appreciation of art. Observing students' skill levels in concepts and practices such as line, detail, and collage helps educators identify areas of strength and areas needing further development. This ongoing, formative assessment ensures that each child's artistic journey is supported and celebrated, fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment.

Above and Beyond

Children’s experiences in art are enriched through a wide range of opportunities within school and the wider community. We host a whole-school gallery, giving all children the opportunity to showcase their artwork in a celebratory and professional setting. We also have strong links with a local artist, whom the children study and learn about, gaining insight into their career and artistic techniques. Our whole-school exhibition, Art in the Village, allows children’s work to be displayed throughout the local community. Year 2 children participate in the annual Light Up Hassocks lantern-making event, working collaboratively with their families before joining the community parade. Across the school, children are exposed to a wide range of diverse global and contemporary artists and are given meaningful opportunities to talk about, critique and celebrate artwork, as well as display their work in shared spaces.

Diversity

Our curriculum aims to give children examples of artists and their works from around the world.  The children will find out about how these artists took inspiration from the world around them.  Art is another way to introduce children to the wider world, and the wonders it has to offer.