Art and Design
Intent
At Dorothy Barley Infant School we believe that a high-quality Art and Design education should engage, inspire and challenge pupils, equipping them with new knowledge and skills. Carefully planned, progressive units of work provide opportunity for active learning and allow pupils to experiment, invent and create, ensuring a strong foundation in art and design. Pupils are taught to respond to art work, thinking critically and using subject specific vocabulary to share their ideas. Their understanding of their own and others’ cultural heritage is developed through studying a diverse range of artists. By the time children leave Dorothy Barley Infant School, they will have gained new knowledge and skills in the areas of drawing, painting, sculpture, printing and collage. They will be well prepared for the Art and Design curriculum at Key Stage Two and beyond.
Art at Dorothy Barley Infant School
Implementation
At Dorothy Barley Infant School, our bespoke Art and Design curriculum allows children to express their creative imagination using an array of techniques, methods and media as well as providing them with opportunities to practise and develop mastery in the key processes of Art: drawing, painting, printing, collage and sculpture. This is supported by the study of a diverse range of artists from different times throughout history. Art and Design is taught as part of a half-termly theme, focusing on knowledge and skills as stated in the National Curriculum.
In Key Stage One, children use sketchbooks to develop their ideas and experiment with different artistic techniques. Photographs of larger, group or 3D pieces are also kept within this book. Vocabulary is taught in a progressive manner across the Art and Design curriculum. Children learn to talk and think like an artist through knowledge of other artists and exploration of skills.
Sparking Curiosity – All units of work are planned around the work of an artist, and time is dedicated to exploration of the artist’s work. Children also visit an art gallery as part of a planned enrichment programme.
Hands-On and Active Learning – Art is well-planned with opportunities to teach, explore and create. All units are full-resourced for hands on learning, and time is available during the planned units for children to explore and refine their artistic styles.
Independence –Â As part of all units of work, children have sufficient time to practise and develop the relevant artistic techniques.
New Knowledge and Skills – The Art and Design curriculum is sequenced progressively to ensure previous skills are embedded and built upon. Children are exposed to a wide range of skills such as sculpting, textiles and collage and these skills are then developed and refined across the school.
Empowering Experiences – Our Art and Design curriculum at Dorothy Barley Infant School is enriched with opportunities for empowering experiences, from painting using different medias, to sculpting and collages using natural materials. Extra-curricular trips and workshops are planned to expose the children to and think critically about a wide range of artistic styles.
Curriculum Planning
Early Years Foundation Stage
In the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), the building blocks for Art are taught through our bespoke Expressive Arts and Design curriculum. This follows the Development Matters framework, encouraging children to express their creativity and imagination in an exploratory way whilst building knowledge and skills. Through a variety of materials and techniques—such as painting, drawing, collage, and sculpture—children are given the freedom to experiment and bring their ideas to life. Art in the EYFS helps children develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination and spatial awareness, while also building confidence in their own creative abilities. We place a strong emphasis on self-expression, allowing children to communicate their thoughts and feelings through art. These early experiences lay the foundation for more structured artistic learning in Key Stage One.
EYFS Creating With Materials Progression Grid
Art and Design Knowledge
Our curriculum overviews detail the key Art and Design content required for each unit of work. These are shared with children and families at the beginning of each half term to help enhance learning.
