Art
Children have different ways of exploring the world around them, expressing themselves, and flowing from one creative medium to another. At BHCPS, we believe Art & Design is a vital subject that equips pupils with a diverse range of skills necessary for life beyond primary school. Our curriculum aspires to nurture confident, imaginative risk-takers who are equipped with the techniques and knowledge needed to make independent creative choices, invent their own expressive works, and find their unique artist’s voice.
Intent
In Art and Design, we intend for children to:
- Experiment and innovate: Acquire the foundational knowledge, techniques, and confidence to experiment, invent, and create original works of art, craft, and design.
- Explore a diverse artist spectrum: Be exposed to a rich, diverse range of contemporary and historical artists, craft makers, architects, and designers across varied cultures, backgrounds, and movements.
- Master media and processes: Explore, manipulate, and master a wide variety of materials and media, including drawing, painting, sculpture, printing, and digital craft.
- Develop reflective critique: Learn to analyze, evaluate, and reflect constructively on their own creative journey and the work of others, developing the patience and resilience needed to refine their work over time.
- Express identity and purpose: Use art to express personal emotions, convey meaning, and foster curiosity about how visual arts shape our world and local community.
Implementation
Children in the Foundation Stage explore art elements through Expressive Arts and Design, experimenting with colors, shapes, textures, and mark-making to express their ideas and represent their world.
Across Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, we deliver a carefully structured, progressive spiral curriculum where core skills in drawing, painting, sculpture, and design are revisited with increasing complexity year-on-year. Knowledge organizers support children in building a strong foundation of key terms, techniques, and historical contexts.
Learning is practical, experimental, and exploratory. From Key Stage 1 onwards, pupils use personal sketchbooks as dynamic spaces to gather ideas, test techniques, annotate inspiration, and track their creative process without fear of making mistakes.
Enrichment and collaborative projects play a central role in bringing our art curriculum to life:
- Whole-School Art Week: Each year, the entire school unites around a shared theme or grand project, fostering collaboration, resilience, and a sense of shared creative identity.
- Community & Living History Projects: As part of our landmark 50th Anniversary celebrations, every child in the school designed and painted an individual pebble, reflecting their unique contribution to our community. These will be permanently set around new trees on our grounds as a lasting creative legacy.
- External Competitions: We regularly enter art competitions, giving pupils authentic platforms to showcase their talent, build pride in their work, and present art for a wider audience.
Impact
By the time pupils leave BHCPS, they are proficient across drawing, painting, sculpture, and diverse craft techniques.
Through regular artistic discussions, self-evaluation, and decision-making, our children become confident art critics who can talk articulately about their own learning journey, choices, and artistic growth. Whether contributing to our annual Art Week, entering national competitions, or leaving a permanent creative mark on our school grounds, BHCPS pupils leave as passionate, reflective, and visually literate individuals ready to engage with the modern world.
Skills and Knowledge Progression
EYFS Progression in Malleable Skills - Linked to Art
EYFS - Progression in Printing Skills - Linked to Art
EYFS - Progression in Creative Play - Linked to Art
EYFS - Progression in Drawing - Linked to Art
Gallery
