At Kates Hill, our intent for art is to deliver a rich, inspiring, and inclusive curriculum that nurtures creativity, imagination, and self-expression. We believe that art is a powerful subject that helps children to make sense of the world around them, celebrate diversity, and communicate their ideas in visual and tactile forms. Through art, we aim to spark curiosity and passion, giving all pupils the opportunity to dream big, explore widely, and take creative risks.

We want every child to see themselves as an artist. Our curriculum is designed to develop both practical skills and critical thinking, encouraging pupils to reflect on their own work, appreciate the work of others, and understand the cultural and historical contexts of art. Children build knowledge of artists, techniques and materials while developing control, precision, and individuality in their work.

Art at Kates Hill also supports holistic development by promoting communication, collaboration, and confidence. Whether working independently or as part of a group, pupils are encouraged to express their thoughts, value different perspectives, and build resilience through the creative process.

Our curriculum is designed to:

• Develop Artistic Knowledge and Skill: We provide a carefully sequenced progression of drawing, painting, sculpture, and mixed media techniques to build strong artistic foundations across all year groups.
• Encourage Creativity and Expression: Pupils are encouraged to think imaginatively, generate original ideas, and make artistic choices with increasing independence.
• Inspire Through Artists and Cultures: We explore a diverse range of artists, movements, and traditions that reflect both global and local heritage, allowing children to see how art connects across time, place, and people.
• Promote Reflection and Critical Thinking: Children learn to talk about art using appropriate vocabulary, evaluate their own work thoughtfully, and respond to feedback with a growth mindset.

Through our art curriculum, we aim to develop confident, expressive, and curious learners who are proud of their work and who understand the value of creativity in their lives and the wider world.

At Kates Hill Primary School, art is taught as a discrete subject and delivered through a carefully sequenced curriculum that allows pupils to build skills progressively while exploring a wide range of artists, styles, and materials. Each unit is designed to be purposeful and engaging, beginning with the study of an artist or artistic movement, followed by opportunities to explore techniques, plan compositions, and create meaningful artwork inspired by their learning.

Children are exposed to a broad range of artistic media including drawing, painting, sculpture, collage, textiles and digital art. Our classrooms are well-resourced, enabling pupils to experiment with high-quality materials such as pastels, inks, clay, and watercolours. In addition, pupils have access to digital tools and software, enriching their experience of modern and contemporary art practices.

Art lessons at Kates Hill are carefully scaffolded to ensure that all learners can achieve success. Teachers adapt lessons to meet the needs of all pupils, including those with SEND, pupils eligible for pupil premium, and those working at greater depth. Strategies include the use of visual aids, guided examples, one-to-one or small group support, pre-teaching of key concepts, and extension tasks to stretch and challenge. Tasks are designed to be open-ended, allowing for personal responses and a range of outcomes.

Children are encouraged to take ownership of their artistic development through the use of sketchbooks, which serve as a space for experimentation, reflection and growth. Sketchbooks travel with pupils as they move through the school, allowing them to revisit prior learning, build on existing knowledge, and see their progress over time.

Assessment in art is ongoing and formative, with pupils encouraged to evaluate their own work and the work of their peers through discussion and structured reflection. This develops their ability to think critically and articulate artistic decisions using subject-specific vocabulary. Teachers also use observations and work in sketchbooks to inform planning and ensure that each child is supported in developing their skills and confidence.

At Kates Hill, we believe that every child is an artist. Through high-quality teaching, inclusive practices, and access to a wide range of materials and inspirations, we ensure that every pupil has the opportunity to develop creatively, communicate visually, and take pride in their artistic journey.

At Kates Hill, we believe that a high-quality art education should equip children with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to express themselves creatively and thoughtfully. Our pupils develop as reflective artists who take pride in their work, show resilience in the creative process, and communicate their ideas through a wide range of visual media.

By the end of each key stage, pupils are expected to meet the aims of the National Curriculum for art and design. This means that:

• By the end of Key Stage 1, pupils can use a range of materials creatively, develop techniques in colour, pattern, texture, line, shape, form and space, and talk about the work of different artists.
• By the end of Key Stage 2, pupils are confident in using a variety of techniques and materials, can evaluate and analyse their own and others' artwork, and have a growing knowledge of great artists, architects, and designers in history.

Children’s progress is tracked through teacher observation, sketchbook development, and end-of-unit outcomes. Teachers monitor individual progression over time by reviewing how pupils build on prior skills, use techniques with increasing independence, and reflect thoughtfully on their creative choices.

Pupil voice is central to how we measure the impact of our curriculum. Regular opportunities for discussion, self-reflection, and peer feedback help pupils articulate what they’ve learned, how they’ve improved, and what art means to them. These insights help shape future planning, ensuring that our curriculum remains meaningful and responsive.

As a result of our approach, children leave Kates Hill with a deep appreciation for the arts, a strong sense of creative identity, and the ability to think critically and imaginatively. They see art as an enjoyable, expressive and important part of life, and they are well prepared for the challenges and opportunities of Key Stage 3 and beyond.