Art

INTENT

“Art has the power to transform to illuminate, to educate, inspire and motivate” Harvey Fierstein

At Burrington Church of England School, we are artists. We are passionate about Art & Design and recognise it as a natural form of expression, a source of joy, and a powerful way for children to develop creativity, imagination, and confidence.

Our curriculum is designed to:

Engage, inspire, and challenge pupils, equipping them with knowledge and skills to experiment, invent, and create.
Develop proficiency in drawing, painting, sculpture, collage, textiles, print, and digital media.
Enable pupils to think critically, reflect, and evaluate their own and others’ work.
Broaden cultural horizons by studying artists, designers, and movements across history and cultures, thus building cultural capital.

We fulfil the National Curriculum by ensuring that pupils:

- Produce creative work, exploring and recording ideas.
- Master art, craft, and design techniques.
- Evaluate and analyse creative works using appropriate vocabulary.
- Gain knowledge of great artists, designers, and architects, and understand their historical and cultural significance.

We follow the Chris Quigley Curriculum Companions framework to ensure progression and coherence. This builds knowledge and skills year on year, while encouraging children to find their own creative voice.

IMPLEMENTATION

In Key Stage 1 and 2, Each class is taught three 6-week units during a year that cover a particular theme, for example ‘At the Seaside’ or ‘Myths and Legends’. As we have mixed-age classes we have a two-year rolling programme of units. The teaching of each unit is based on three key concepts:

Developing Ideas – Children begin with a starting point and gradually develop their ideas as they move through the unit. They record their journey in sketchbooks, using notes, drawings, and collected resources.
Taking Inspiration from the Greats – Children explore the work of significant artists, designers, and art movements. They learn how these artists and movements influenced the world and draw on their ideas to inform their own artistic decisions.
Mastering Practical Skills – Practical skills are taught in painting, drawing, sculpture, print, collage, digital art, and textiles. As children move through the school, they return to each skill and build on it, moving from simple techniques to more advanced ones. For example, in printmaking they may begin by using found objects to create prints, before later designing and carving their own printing blocks.

These three concepts underpin teaching and learning, ensuring children build secure knowledge, subject-specific vocabulary, and the confidence to express themselves through art.

EYFS

In Nursery and Reception, children develop the foundations for art in Key Stage 1 by building control in mark-making, handling tools and materials, and expressing ideas visually. These early skills are adapted from the Chris Quigley framework and linked to the Early Learning Goals in Physical Development and Expressive Arts and Design.

Cross-curricular links

Art is taught as a subject in its own right, while also drawing on opportunities to build meaningful links with other areas of learning. This reflects the value of art in supporting and enriching pupils’ understanding across the curriculum.

For example, work on Islamic art in RE helps pupils to explore how Muslims express their beliefs. The Art of Anatomy unit connects with mathematics through careful use of measurement and proportion. Likewise, the Egyptian Art unit is taught alongside the history topic on Ancient Egypt, allowing pupils to strengthen their knowledge in both subjects.

IMPACT

By the end of primary school, children at Burrington will:

Have gained, strengthened, and secured a broad range of artistic skills.
Know about a wide variety of artists, designers, and art movements, and understand their cultural and historical significance.
Be able to talk about, evaluate, and reflect on artwork using appropriate vocabulary.
Be confident, creative learners who are willing to experiment and recognise the value of the process as well as the finished piece.
Have developed a personal appreciation of Art & Design as a form of expression and enjoyment.