Art & Design encourages children to explore their creativity, express their ideas and develop confidence in their own unique talents. Through a wide range of artistic experiences, children learn to observe, experiment, create and reflect whilst developing an appreciation of art, craft and design from different cultures and periods.

Our Vision for Art & Design

At Bathford Church School, our vision of Grow, Care, Serve, Share is at the heart of our Art & Design curriculum.

We believe that creativity enriches children's learning and helps them develop imagination, confidence and self-expression. Through art, children are encouraged to take risks, experiment with different ideas and discover their own creative voice.

Art helps children explore the world around them, understand different cultures and communicate their thoughts, feelings and experiences in meaningful ways. We want every child to experience the joy of creating and to appreciate the value of art within school, our community and the wider world.

What Do Children Learn?

We use the Kapow Primary Art & Design curriculum to ensure children's knowledge and skills develop progressively throughout the school.

Children learn about:

• Drawing
• Painting
• Sculpture
• Printmaking
• Craft and design
• Colour, pattern, texture, shape and form
• Significant artists, craftspeople and designers
• Evaluating and reflecting on artwork

As children move through the school, they revisit and build upon key skills, techniques and concepts, developing increasing confidence and independence as artists.

Thinking Like Artists

At Bathford, children develop as artists through four key lenses:

• Generating Ideas – exploring, developing and communicating creative ideas.
• Making – using a range of materials, techniques and processes to create artwork.
• Evaluating – reflecting on artwork and considering how it can be developed and improved.
• Knowledge of Artists – learning about significant artists, craftspeople and designers and understanding how art has been shaped by different cultures and periods. 

These lenses help children develop both artistic skills and a deeper understanding of the creative process.

How Do Children Learn?

Art & Design is taught through practical, engaging and creative experiences.

Children learn through:

• Exploring different materials and techniques
• Experimenting and taking creative risks
• Developing ideas in sketchbooks
• Studying the work of artists, designers and craftspeople
• Creating individual pieces of artwork
• Reflecting on and discussing their work

The curriculum follows a progressive approach where key skills and knowledge are revisited over time, allowing children to deepen their understanding and develop greater independence.

Sketchbooks are used throughout the school to record ideas, practise techniques, explore creativity and document artistic journeys.

In Key Stage 2, Art & Design is taught as part of our mixed-age afternoon learning model. Learning is carefully sequenced to ensure children continue to build their artistic knowledge, skills and understanding as they move through the school.

What Will Children Take Away?

Through Art & Design, children develop:

• Creativity and imagination
• Confidence in expressing ideas
• Practical artistic skills and techniques
• Observation and evaluation skills
• Knowledge of artists and artistic movements
• An appreciation of art, craft and design from different cultures and traditions

We want our children to leave Bathford as confident, creative individuals who are willing to experiment, take risks and express themselves through art.

Art & Design Curriculum

Our

Art and Design Long Term Plan  

provides an overview of the key skills, techniques, artists and creative experiences taught throughout the school.

Learning is carefully sequenced to ensure children progressively develop their artistic knowledge and skills whilst building confidence in their ability to create, evaluate and communicate through art.