Art & Design
At Woodsetts Primary School, we celebrate the journey of creativity and discovery. We nurture imaginative thinking and original ideas, encouraging our children to express themselves freely while honing their skills with care and precision. This approach aligns with our vision of "WE CARE," fostering an environment where children show respect and kindness to one another and the world around them.
Our Art&Design Subject Leader is: Mrs Ross
Our Art and Design curriculum is designed to:
- Nurture creativity and imagination
- Build technical skills in drawing, painting, printing, sculpture, digital media and collage
- Expose children to diverse artists, styles, and cultures
- Develop visual language and critical thinking through discussion and evaluation
- Support wellbeing and expression through creative exploration
Art is closely linked to our PSHE pillars, offering children ways to reflect on identity, community, aspirations, and the world around them.
Our curriculum is delivered through half-termly units from Year 1 to Year 6, each built around a big question that sparks curiosity and enquiry. For example:
- Year 1: Can we use nature in art?
- Year 2: Can we use art to represent animals?
- Year 3: What makes a sculpture super?
- Year 4: Can art be created with dots?
- Year 5: Does art belong in the streets?
- Year 6: Has art changed through time?
Each unit includes:
- A focus artist or movement
- Progressive skills and vocabulary
- Purposeful final pieces
- Retrieval and critique opportunities
- Cross-curricular connections
Children encounter a diverse range of artists including:
- Claude Monet
- Pablo Picasso
- Andy Goldsworthy
- Georgia O’Keeffe
- Romero Britto
- Barbara Hepworth
- Banksy
- Hokusai
- JMW Turner
- Pedro Pedro & Holly Coulis
- Jean Shin
They also explore movements like Impressionism, Cubism, Pop Art, Street Art and Contemporary Sculpture.
Knowledge and Skills Progression
Our curriculum carefully maps out the progression of:
- Drawing techniques: line, tone, texture, shape, perspective
- Painting and colour mixing: primary, secondary, tint, shade, mood
- Collage and mixed media: layering, texture, symbolism
- Sculpture: 2D and 3D form, carving, joining, modelling
- Digital art: editing, composition, printing, visual design
- Evaluating and talking like an artist
In both Nursery and Reception, children have access to a wide range of art opportunities through continuous provision, enhancements, and adult-led provocations. Art and design are closely linked to the Expressive Arts and Design area of learning, which encourages children to:
- Explore colour, texture, line, and shape
- Experiment with materials and tools
- Talk about what they have made and how they did it
- Develop fine motor control through cutting, gluing, printing, mark-making, and modelling
- Begin to express ideas and emotions visually
We create an environment where process matters more than product — the joy is in the making, the experimenting, the storytelling and the pride children feel in their creations.
Our EYFS art experiences provide the foundations for progression into Key Stage 1. Children are introduced to key skills, vocabulary and concepts that are developed year on year. These include:
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Mark making → controlled line drawing
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Mixing colours freely → understanding primary and secondary colours
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Manipulating playdough → working with clay
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Observational drawing from life → drawing with increasing accuracy and detail
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Exploring collage and print → designing purposeful patterns and layers
EYFS also introduces children to famous artists and illustrators through storybooks and creative challenges — sparking curiosity that will deepen in later years.
Reading enriches our Art curriculum in many ways:
- Artist biographies spark curiosity and connection
- Subject-specific vocabulary is taught, retrieved and applied
- Visual analysis supports comprehension and interpretation
- Literary links (like The Scarab’s Secret or Goodnight Mr Tom) inspire artistic responses
Art also gives children the opportunity to read visual texts, including:
- Interpreting artworks
- Reading symbols and meaning
- Analysing the effect of colour, texture and composition
We assess children’s progress in Art through:
- Their sketchbooks and final pieces
- Verbal discussions and reflective evaluations
- Annotated photographs and digital portfolios
- Teacher judgement based on taught skills and objectives (based on National Curriculum descriptors and using our PITA Scale)
Assessment is formative and focused on growth, not grades — we value process just as much as product.
Art at Woodsetts is not about getting it ‘right’ — it’s about thinking, feeling, experimenting and expressing. Our children’s voices are at the heart of our curriculum design.
Here’s what some of our pupils say about Art:
- "I like how I can make something completely my own." – Year 3
- "We learn about different artists, and I didn’t know girls could be famous artists too!" – Year 2
- "Painting makes me feel calm and happy." – Year 5
- "I didn’t used to like drawing but now I’ve learned how to shade, and I love it." – Year 4
- "Our sculptures are about the planet. It’s art that means something." – Year 6
We regularly gather pupil feedback through:
- Sketchbook reflections
- Art-themed discussions in circle time
- Exit tickets and post-unit voice notes
- Participation in whole-school displays and art showcases
This helps us continually shape a curriculum that celebrates creativity, values expression, and grows confidence in every child.
At Woodsetts Primary School, we encourage families to explore art together at home. These websites are full of fun, free and creative resources to help nurture your child's imagination and artistic confidence.
- Tate Kids – Art for Children
Explore art games, quizzes, how-to videos and child-friendly profiles of famous artists. Great for inspiring curiosity and play.https://www.tate.org.uk/kids
- National Gallery – Families
Discover activities for home, family guides, and tips for enjoying and discussing art together. - Artful Parent
A fantastic blog filled with open-ended art projects for children, from painting to sculpture, often using materials you already have at home. - Access Art
A UK-based site that supports creativity in children through art-making and visual literacy. Full of ideas, techniques, and sketchbook inspiration. - Google Arts & Culture
Take virtual tours of global galleries, zoom in on world-famous paintings, and explore themed collections of art and design from around the world.
To find out more about our approach to Art & Design, please view this presentation below:
