Art and Design 

Intent

At the Phoenix Federation, we believe that Art and Design is an essential part of a broad, balanced and ambitious curriculum. Through art, pupils develop creativity, imagination, self-expression and the confidence to communicate their ideas, thoughts and experiences in meaningful and diverse ways.

Guided by the National Curriculum and informed by the AccessArt Primary Art Curriculum, we aim to nurture every child as an artist, designer and creative thinker. We provide rich opportunities for pupils to explore, experiment, take risks and develop their own artistic voice through a wide range of artistic disciplines, including drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, collage, textiles, digital media and design.

Our curriculum is carefully sequenced to ensure children progressively develop their knowledge, skills and understanding of artistic processes, materials and techniques. We want pupils to understand that art is not simply about producing a final piece but about exploring ideas, revisiting concepts, reflecting upon work and learning from the creative journey.

We are committed to exposing children to a diverse range of artists, designers, craftspeople, architects and artistic movements from different cultures, backgrounds and periods of history. Through this, pupils gain a deeper appreciation of the rich contribution that art makes to society and develop respect for different perspectives, identities and forms of expression.

As a Federation, we believe that creativity plays a vital role in developing curiosity, resilience and innovation. We encourage our pupils to be aspirational in their ideas, brave when taking creative risks, compassionate towards the viewpoints and experiences of others, determined in refining their work and enlightened through engagement with artistic and cultural experiences.

Implementation

Art and Design is taught through carefully structured units that provide pupils with opportunities to develop both substantive knowledge and practical artistic skills over time.

Using the AccessArt curriculum as a framework, pupils engage in a creative journey that allows them to explore materials, develop techniques, investigate the work of artists and create increasingly sophisticated outcomes. Learning is sequenced to build upon prior knowledge and experiences, ensuring children continually develop their understanding and mastery of artistic concepts.

A central feature of our curriculum is the use of sketchbooks, which act as personal creative journals. Sketchbooks provide pupils with a safe space to investigate, experiment, record observations, generate ideas, practise techniques, evaluate outcomes and reflect on their artistic development. They celebrate the process of learning and encourage pupils to take ownership of their creative thinking.

Throughout their learning, pupils are taught to:

• Generate and develop original ideas.
• Experiment confidently with a range of materials, tools and techniques.
• Observe closely and record creatively.
• Review, refine and improve their work.
• Discuss and evaluate artwork using appropriate artistic vocabulary.
• Make connections between artists, cultures, historical periods and artistic movements.

Vocabulary development is explicitly taught, enabling pupils to articulate their ideas, explain artistic choices and engage in meaningful discussions about art and design. Through regular opportunities for critique and reflection, children learn how to analyse artwork respectfully and develop confidence in expressing their opinions.

Assessment begins with consideration of prior learning and is ongoing throughout each unit. Teachers use observation, discussion, questioning, sketchbook reviews and pupil reflections to inform future learning. This ensures that teaching remains responsive and that all pupils make progress in their artistic understanding and technical skills.

We are committed to ensuring all children can access and succeed within the Art curriculum. Teaching is adapted appropriately to support pupils with SEND, disadvantaged pupils and those learning English as an Additional Language, whilst maintaining high expectations for all learners.

Learning is enriched through engagement with galleries, museums, cultural organisations, visiting artists and creative experiences. Wherever possible, pupils explore the artistic heritage of their local area alongside significant national and international artists, helping them understand how creativity can shape communities and influence the wider world.

Cross-curricular links are carefully considered, allowing pupils to apply their creativity and artistic understanding across a range of subjects while maintaining the distinct disciplinary knowledge of Art and Design.

Impact

By the time pupils leave the Phoenix Federation, they will have developed the confidence, knowledge and skills to think and work creatively.

Our pupils will:

• View themselves as artists and creative individuals with ideas worth sharing.
• Demonstrate increasing proficiency in drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, collage and other artistic disciplines.
• Use a wide range of artistic techniques, materials and processes confidently and purposefully.
• Show creativity, originality and imagination in their artistic responses.
• Reflect upon, evaluate and refine their work independently.
• Use subject-specific vocabulary accurately when discussing art and design.
• Demonstrate knowledge of a diverse range of artists, designers, craftspeople and cultural traditions.
• Understand how art reflects and shapes cultures, societies and historical periods.
• Show resilience, independence and curiosity throughout the creative process.
• Develop an appreciation of the arts and recognise the role creativity plays within education, future careers and the wider world.

Through Art and Design, our pupils develop not only artistic skills but also the confidence to express themselves, the resilience to embrace challenge and the cultural awareness to appreciate the diverse creative contributions that shape our world. We aim for every child to leave the Phoenix Federation with a lifelong appreciation of the arts and the belief that creativity can inspire, influence and enrich their lives.