Art

Welcome to the Art and Design Technology section of the Longton Primary School website. Here, we emphasise the significance of a robust art and design technology education, which not only nurtures creativity but also fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills in our pupils. Art is taught throughout school by our resident Artist. By engaging with these subjects, pupils learn to express themselves and create innovative solutions to real-world challenges, preparing them for a diverse range of future career opportunities. Art and design technology instil values of resourcefulness and innovation, crucial for personal well-being and societal contribution. At Longton Primary, we are committed to nurturing the next generation of creative thinkers and responsible citizens, who will enrich our culture and economy.

Subject Leader - Roxann Skinner

Curriculum Intent

At our school, we believe that every child is an artist. Our Art curriculum is designed to be ambitious, inclusive and knowledge-rich, enabling all pupils to develop as confident, creative and reflective artists.

Our intent is that pupils:

• Develop a secure knowledge of the formal elements of art: line, tone, colour, shape, pattern, texture and form

• Build disciplinary knowledge by understanding how artists think, create, evaluate and refine

• Gain substantive knowledge about a diverse range of artists, craftspeople and designers from different cultures, backgrounds and time periods

• Develop technical proficiency in drawing, painting, sculpture, printing, textiles and digital art

• Learn to evaluate, analyse and critique artwork using subject-specific vocabulary

• Understand that art reflects identity, culture, history and personal expression

• Experience art as a means of communication, wellbeing and belonging

We use the Kapow Primary Art scheme as the backbone of our curriculum to ensure clear progression of knowledge and skills from EYFS to Year 6. This is enriched and deepened through weekly sessions with our Artist in Residence, who exposes pupils to authentic artistic processes and contemporary practice.

Our curriculum is carefully designed so that all pupils, including those with SEND and from diverse backgrounds, see themselves represented within the artists studied, themes explored and outcomes produced.

Curriculum Implementation

Art is taught weekly through carefully sequenced Kapow units which ensure progression of both knowledge and skills over time.

Our implementation ensures that:

• Prior learning is revisited and built upon in every unit

• New skills and techniques are explicitly modelled and practised

• Pupils learn about a broad and diverse range of artists, ensuring representation of different cultures and identities

• Subject-specific vocabulary is explicitly taught, modelled and revisited

• Pupils use sketchbooks to experiment, practise, refine and reflect — valuing the artistic process as much as the final outcome

• Children experience a wide range of materials, tools and techniques

• Pupils are taught how to analyse and evaluate artwork using the formal elements

• Cross-curricular links are made where meaningful, whilst maintaining the integrity of Art as a distinct discipline

Artist in Residence

Each Friday, our Artist in Residence works alongside classes to:

• Model authentic artistic practice

• Introduce specialist techniques and media

• Extend and deepen learning from the Kapow curriculum

• Develop pupils’ originality, confidence and creative voice

• Provide insight into the real-world practice of an artist

Inclusion and SEND

We ensure Art is accessible to all pupils through:

• Adapted tools, materials and resources where required

• Scaffolded instruction, visual prompts and step-by-step modelling

• Flexible outcomes so pupils can demonstrate learning in different ways

• Sensory and tactile opportunities for engagement

• Adult support and discussion to develop understanding

• A curriculum that reflects diverse cultures, identities and experiences

Art provides an important non-verbal means of expression, particularly for pupils with SEND, and supports wellbeing, confidence and communication.

 

Assessment, Monitoring and Impact

Assessment in Art is ongoing, formative and directly linked to the curriculum. It focuses on pupils’ development of knowledge of the formal elements and their disciplinary skills as artists.

At the end of each Kapow unit, teachers use Kapow assessment materials to make professional judgements based on:

• Observation of pupils throughout the artistic process

• Discussions with pupils and their use of subject-specific vocabulary

• Evidence in sketchbooks and final pieces

• Pupils’ ability to evaluate, refine and improve their work

• Their understanding of the artists, techniques and concepts studied

These assessments are recorded on Bromcom, allowing teachers, leaders and parents to have a clear overview of each child’s progress in Art. This ensures that assessment is accurately aligned to the intended curriculum.

How we know the curriculum is taught as intended

Leaders monitor the implementation of the Art curriculum through:

• Reviewing Kapow unit coverage across year groups

• Regular sketchbook scrutiny to see progression in knowledge, skills and vocabulary

• Lesson visits and discussions with pupils about their learning

• Analysis of assessment information recorded on Bromcom

• Pupil voice and evidence from sessions with the Artist in Residence

This triangulation ensures that the taught curriculum matches the planned curriculum.

Curriculum Impact

The impact of our Art curriculum is that pupils:

• Develop strong knowledge of the formal elements and can apply these across different media

• Speak confidently about artists, techniques and their own creative choices using subject-specific vocabulary

• Show increasing independence, resilience and pride in their work

• Demonstrate clear progression in technical skill from EYFS to Year 6

• Produce sketchbooks that evidence experimentation, reflection and refinement

• Appreciate art as part of culture, history and personal identity

• Understand that creativity is valued and that their voice matters

• Understand art as part of culture, identity and personal expression

Pupils leave our school with:

• The confidence to express themselves creatively

• A secure foundation of artistic knowledge and skills ready for Key Stage 3

• An appreciation of art from a wide range of cultures and perspectives

• Positive attitudes towards creativity and the arts

The quality of our Art provision is evidenced through:

• Sketchbook progression across year groups

• Pupil voice and discussion

• Displays and exhibitions of work

• Ongoing assessment through observation and feedback

• The high levels of engagement and enthusiasm seen in lessons, particularly during sessions with our Artist in Residence

Art assessment is not about judging talent, but about ensuring pupils know more, remember more and can do more as artists over time.

Pupils leave our school with the confidence, knowledge and skills to continue their artistic journey at Key Stage 3 and beyond.

Overview of Learning