Art Rationale

At SMSJ, it is our intent that Art is delivered through an ambitious and high-quality curriculum that enables all pupils to develop as confident, creative and reflective artists. The Art curriculum is underpinned by the Kapow Primary scheme, which provides a clear framework and progression of skills, knowledge and techniques. This scheme is used flexibly and thoughtfully, with lessons adapted and enhanced to meet the needs of all pupils, ensuring inclusivity, appropriate challenge and accessibility across the school. A strong emphasis is placed on developing a language-rich environment, where subject-specific vocabulary is explicitly taught, revisited and applied through regular retrieval opportunities, structured discussions and the use of knowledge organisers.

We are committed to ensuring that Art teaching at SMSJ is engaging, inclusive and appropriately challenging, supporting pupils to progressively develop their artistic skills and understanding of creative processes. Pupils are encouraged to explore a range of materials, techniques and media, while developing an appreciation of diverse artists, styles and cultural influences. Meaningful links to the local community, alongside opportunities to study art from different times, places and cultures, support pupils in developing cultural capital and a deeper understanding of the world around them.

EYFS

In the Early Years Foundation Stage, Art is explored through the area of Expressive Arts and Design, where children are encouraged to explore, create and express ideas through a range of media and materials. Our art provision fosters creativity, curiosity and imagination, enabling children to experiment with colour, texture, shape and form through observation, exploration and discussion. Through hands-on experiences, child-initiated learning and adult-led activities, children develop early artistic skills such as mark making, drawing, painting, modelling and using tools safely and purposefully. These foundational experiences support children in developing confidence, fine motor skills and self-expression, laying the groundwork for more structured artistic learning in Key Stage 1 and beyond.

Within our language-rich art provision, we place a strong emphasis on developing vocabulary and oracy to support children in talking about their creative choices and processes. Children are introduced to age-appropriate artistic language and are encouraged to describe what they are doing, explain their ideas and reflect on their work through meaningful talk and interaction. Planned opportunities for discussion, storytelling and shared evaluation help children to develop confidence in expressing themselves creatively, while building the communication skills that underpin learning across the wider curriculum.

Key Stage 1

In our language-rich Art curriculum, we place a strong emphasis on oracy to develop pupils’ ability to discuss their ideas, processes, and creative decisions with confidence and clarity. Art lessons are structured to build subject-specific vocabulary and support pupils in describing their work, reasoning about techniques, and reflecting on outcomes. Each unit incorporates planned opportunities for purposeful talk, enabling children to practise artistic language and explore key concepts through discussion and collaborative learning.

In Key Stage One, our Art curriculum is designed to inspire creativity and develop foundational artistic skills, beginning with exploration of basic techniques and gradually expanding into more complex processes and media. Through units such as Drawing: Exploring line and shape and Drawing: Understanding tone and texture, pupils develop essential drawing skills, learning to observe, represent and manipulate line, shape, pattern, shading and texture. In Painting and mixed media: Life in colour and Colour splash, pupils explore colour, mixing and application, experimenting with paint and mixed media to express ideas and develop confidence in handling materials. Through Sculpture and 3D: Paper play, children engage with three-dimensional forms, practising shaping, joining and constructing, while developing fine motor control and spatial awareness. In Craft and design: Map it out, pupils combine creativity and design thinking, applying their artistic skills with purpose while making connections to the wider curriculum.

Across all units, pupils are encouraged to ask questions, make decisions, take creative risks, and reflect on their work, fostering independence and curiosity. High-quality vocabulary, modelled talk, and structured discussion are embedded throughout, ensuring that pupils not only develop artistic skills but can confidently articulate their ideas, describe processes, and evaluate outcomes, preparing them for continued progress in Key Stage Two.

Lower Key Stage 2

In Lower Key Stage Two, our Art curriculum is designed to deepen pupils’ creativity, technical skills, and understanding of artistic traditions, while developing confidence in exploring, evaluating, and communicating ideas. We begin with Drawing: Developing drawing skills, where pupils refine observational techniques, exploring proportion, line, and careful representation of form. This unit lays the foundation for understanding how artists use drawing to capture and interpret the world.

Building on these skills, pupils explore Drawing: Exploring tone, texture and proportion and Painting & mixed media: Light and dark, where they experiment with shading, contrast, layering, and colour to create depth and convey mood. These units encourage pupils to consider how artistic choices impact meaning and expression, developing both technical competence and creative decision-making.

Historical and cultural contexts are introduced through Craft and design: Ancient Egyptian scrolls and Prehistoric painting, where pupils study the art of past civilizations, exploring techniques, symbolism, and the cultural significance of artworks. Pupils apply this learning to their own creative work, making connections between past and present artistic practices. In Sculpture & 3D: Abstract shape, children further develop three-dimensional skills, investigating form, structure, and spatial awareness while refining problem-solving and fine motor control.

Across all units, pupils are encouraged to take creative risks, make purposeful choices about materials and techniques, and reflect critically on their work. High-quality vocabulary, modelled discussion, and structured opportunities for dialogue are embedded throughout, supporting pupils to describe, analyse, and evaluate artistic processes and outcomes. The curriculum progressively develops pupils’ technical skills, cultural understanding, and creative confidence, preparing them for more complex and independent learning in Upper Key Stage Two.

Upper Key Stage 2

In Upper Key Stage Two, our Art curriculum is designed to consolidate pupils’ creative skills, develop sophisticated techniques, and deepen understanding of artistic expression, while fostering critical thinking and personal voice. We begin with Drawing: Depth, emotion and movement, where pupils explore how line, tone, proportion, and composition can convey feeling, motion, and narrative in their work. This unit lays the foundation for using drawing as a tool for expressive and purposeful communication.

Building on these skills, pupils study Drawing: Expressing ideas and Painting & mixed media: Artist study, developing confidence in experimenting with materials, styles, and techniques to convey their own concepts while drawing inspiration from the work of established artists. These units encourage pupils to analyse artistic choices, reflect on intention, and adapt approaches to develop original outcomes.

Historical, cultural, and applied creativity are developed through Craft and design: Architecture and Sculpture & 3D: Making memories, where pupils investigate design principles, structure, and three-dimensional forms, applying their knowledge to create meaningful and purposeful pieces. In Painting & mixed media: Portraits, pupils focus on proportion, tone, and character, exploring identity and representation while developing mastery in painting techniques.

Across all units, pupils are encouraged to take creative risks, make considered decisions about materials and processes, and evaluate their own and others’ work. High-quality vocabulary, modelled discussion, and opportunities for dialogue are embedded throughout, enabling pupils to articulate ideas, explain methods, and reflect critically on outcomes. This curriculum ensures that by the end of Upper Key Stage Two, pupils have a comprehensive portfolio of skills, cultural understanding, and creative confidence, preparing them for continued artistic development in secondary education.