“Art is the most powerful form of self-expression and it is not what you see, but what you make others see”— Edgar Degas

Intent - What are we trying to achieve?

At Crane Park Primary School, we value Art & Design as an important part of our pupils’ entitlement to a broad and balanced curriculum. We want to inspire our pupils to develop their confidence to experiment and invent their own works of art. We want to give our pupils opportunity to develop their skills, nurture their talents and interests, express their ideas and thoughts about the world, all whilst learning about art and artists across different cultures and history.

We believe that children should not only be taught how to use the formal elements of art such as: line, shape, tone, colour, space, texture, pattern and form, but to also analyse how these elements are used as powerful communication tools to create effect. Children can use Art as a way of expressing themselves, their thoughts and feelings as well as having a creative outlet within a busy school day. We hope to enable children to become visually literate and understand that Art is a form of communication. Children are equipped with the skills needed to meet the National Curriculum expectations in Art as a result of a carefully planned curriculum with clear progression steps.

The National Curriculum for Art and design aims to ensure that all pupils: 

• produce creative work, exploring their ideas and recording their experiences
• become proficient in drawing, painting, sculpture and other art, craft and design techniques  
• evaluate and analyse creative works using the language of art, craft and design  
• know about great artists, craft makers and designers, and understand the historical and cultural development of their art forms.

Implementation - How is the curriculum being delivered?

• Units in each year group are organised into four core areas: Drawing, Painting & Mixed-media, Sculpture and 3D, Craft and design. The formal elements, and the five key strands from the NC (generating ideas, using sketchbooks, making skills, knowledge of artists, evaluating and analysing) are weaved into these units and are revisited every year with increasing complexity in a spiral curriculum model.
• The timetabled curriculum hours in Art are non-negotiable and will be followed by all staff in the school. Fixed timetables will be set before the academic year and monitored by the Senior Leadership Team and the Art subject leader.
• Where necessary, staff will receive CPD training in specific Art skills.
• The subject leader for Art will highlight staff training needs, ensure they have access and the most up to date version of the curriculum, and have most-frequently used art resources readily available per year group.
• Using an Art scheme of learning carefully designed by experts which ensures consistency and progress for all pupils.
• Using a thorough scheme of learning in Art ensures staff are confident and well-equipped to teach high quality lessons and respond to the needs of the children.
• In addition to this, the children have individual sketchbooks to use where it is appropriate to do so. 
• High quality input from experts and educational resources complements the delivery of specialist learning excellently. Children understand how Art is used in the wider world including careers.
• Artist studies are carried out in every year group to ensure children leave our school with a wide range of artist knowledge. 
• Cross-curricular lesson incorporated into the curriculum where possible to link Art with other subjects. 
• Off-site trips, topic days and pop-up galleries within Crane Park are held to ensure that children engage with the subject and feel proud in displaying pieces of Artwork they have created for their children, staff, parents and visitors to enjoy.

Impact - What difference is the curriculum making?

We create rich environments to enable children to become independent in the planning and reviewing of their own and peers' work. Displaying how being reflective can help further develop knowledge and outcomes. 

We develop children's capacity for imaginative and original thought and to try out new ideas without the fear of failing. Art is an expressive subject with no right or wrong outcomes. Art is what you make it!

If you visited an Art lesson at Crane Park, you would see:

One of the three stages taught at Crane Park School. A learning stage, a modelling stage and a practical stage. The learning stage is where children learn about a particular art style or technique, a focus artist or piece of artwork or an art skill that is the focus for the day's lesson. The next stage is the modelling where the class teacher will demonstrate the art skill or show examples of various artists' work or particular pieces. Then the practical stage where children will try out the learnt skill for the lesson or replicate their own version of a piece of artwork.

Cultural Capital 

As a school, we endeavour to make sure all children receive the best curriculum they can; this is done through extra-curricular opportunities to enhance and progress learning and enjoyment of the Art subject. Children are encouraged to take part in as many extra-curricular activities as possible.

We offer:

• Art gallery and museum visits 
• Artist led workshops
• Art competitions both within school and nationally 
• Opportunities to showcase work in our school pop-up Art Gallery 
• Whole school Art topic days 

Pupil Voice

Year 1 pupil – ‘Art is fun and I love using paint!’

Year 2 pupil – ‘I love our sketchbooks; I enjoy looking at all the art I’ve done in the past.’

Year 4 Pupil – ‘I like how I get to try making art work inspired by an artist using their style but my creativity and imagination’

Year 6 pupil – ‘I like that I don’t have to worry about making mistakes, because it’s my sketchbook, so I can try it again and present it in any way I want – it can’t be wrong.’

How do the pupils at Crane Park Primary School develop the school values through Art & Design? 

At Crane Park, our Art and Design curriculum is deeply intertwined with the school's core values. Through creative exploration, children are not only developing their artistic skills but also learning important life lessons that will help them become effective, lifelong learners. Here’s how our values are developed through Art and Design:

Aspiration – encouraging pupils to aim high in their creative endeavours. They’re taught to be curious and explore new techniques, materials and processes. By researching and discussing the works of artists around the world and from different cultures, children aspire to create their own original pieces of work confident in their ability to achieve and express themselves.

Respect– Whether be it a collaborative piece of art or individual, our students learn to respect their peers' creativity and ideas. They work together on projects, appreciating different viewpoints and abilities. They also respect the environment by using materials carefully and looking after tools. The classroom is a safe, inclusive space where everyone’s art is valued. Through exposure to art from various cultures, students also develop respect for both similarities and differences.

Integrity – In Art lessons, we emphasize the importance of taking risks and embracing mistakes as part of the learning process. Our students are encouraged to be honest about their work, evaluating their art with a critical eye, and recognizing where improvements can be made. They learn that mistakes are not failures but opportunities to grow and improve their techniques. This integrity is also reflected in how students approach their creative projects: they are honest with themselves and others about their artistic choices and open to feedback in order to enhance their skills.

Responsibility - Art at Crane Park fosters a sense of responsibility in students as they take ownership of their creative process. They learn to manage their time effectively, from mind-mapping ideas to finalising their projects. Pupils are taught to be accountable for their work, ensuring that tasks are completed with care and attention to detail. They also learn to use art materials responsibly, caring for resources. Furthermore, children take responsibility for their learning by reflecting on their progress and setting goals to improve their pieces.

Co-operation – Art lessons provide abundant opportunities for co-operation. Whether students are working in pairs or groups, they are encouraged to discuss their ideas, share techniques, and support each other throughout the creative process. Through this collaborative approach, they build social skills, learn to value others’ perspectives, and contribute to group projects. They also engage in peer feedback, respectfully sharing their thoughts on others' work and receiving constructive criticism. These experiences not only enhance their artistic abilities but also instill a strong sense of teamwork.

Kindness –Children are taught to respect the work of others, showing consideration for their peers' creative expressions and offering positive feedback. They are encouraged to care for the classroom, materials, and shared spaces, ensuring that all students have a safe and welcoming environment in which to create.