

Art and Design Progression Plan
Art and Design Curriculum Information
As a Church of England School, our distinctively Christian vision and values are at the heart of everything we do. The vision and values were agreed following a series of consultations involving stakeholders from the school including pupils, parents, staff, governors and church representatives.
Our vision
We are built on Christian foundations where every individual is celebrated as unique. We aspire to be curious, compassionate, tolerant and active in a diverse world. We gather together to build a community that finds each person’s gifts and nurtures them that their light may shine. We hold a vision of success for all.
“Let your Light Shine before others that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven” Matthew 5:16
Our Values
Joy Forgiveness Justice Service Love Intregrity Excellence Perserverance Courage
At Icklesham Church of England Primary School and Nursery we believe that a quality Art and Design curriculum should integrate seeing, feeling, thinking and making as a powerful way of learning. Art educates visual and tactile senses and the imagination, Design and technology prepares children to take part in the development of tomorrow’s changing world. It involves working with different materials, processes and technologies for a range of purposes and develops practical, investigative, creative and technical skills. Art and Design is taught in order to acquire knowledge and understanding of the significant contributions of artists, makers and designers from the past and contemporary world.
At Icklesham Church of England Primary School and Nursery we aim to provide the skills with which to express ideas, images and feelings and enable the children to respond emotionally and intellectually to sensory experiences through their own work.
The national curriculum for art and design aims to ensure that all pupils:
- Produce creative work, exploring their ideas and recording their experiences
- Experiment with a range of different media and become proficient in drawing, painting, sculpture and other art, craft and design techniques
- Develop imaginative thinking to talk about what they like and dislike
- Foster enjoyment, satisfaction and purpose in art and design processes
- Evaluate and analyse creative works using the language of art, craft and design
- Know about great artists, craft makers and designers, and understand the historical and cultural development of their art forms.
By its very nature, Art & Design is linked easily across the curriculum within topic areas, with high expectations in presentation and display. The skills are taught with a focus on the process rather than an outcome or product.
Study areas include cross–curricular links which provide opportunities for the observation and discussion of the place of artefacts from other periods and cultures. Children are encouraged to study the styles and techniques involved, and try to incorporate them in their own work. Where appropriate, use of galleries, museums and visiting artists is incorporated to support learning.
The EYFS teaches that Expressive Art and Design supports learning throughout the curriculum. Children are provided with a range of experiences that encourage exploration, observation, problem solving, critical thinking and discussion. These activities, indoors and outdoors, attract the children’s interest and curiosity. Children are encouraged to safely use and explore a variety of materials, tools and techniques, experimenting with colour, design, form and function.
In Key Stage 1 children are taught:
- To use a range of materials creatively to design and make products
- To use drawing, painting and sculpture to develop and share their ideas, experiences and imagination
- To develop a wide range of art and design techniques in using colour, pattern, texture, line, shape, form and space
- About the work of a diverse range of artists, craft makers and designers, describing the differences and similarities between different practices and disciplines, and making links to their own work.
In Key Stage 2 children are encouraged to develop their techniques, including their control and their use of materials, with creativity, experimentation and an increasing awareness of different kinds of art, craft and design.
They are taught:
- To record their observations in their sketch books and use them to review and revisit ideas
- To improve their mastery of art and design techniques, including drawing, painting and sculpture with a range of materials
- About a diverse range of great artists, architects and designers in history.
Children leaving Icklesham Church of England Primary School and Nursery have developed a love of Art and Design. They are confident to explore and record their ideas. They have become proficient in drawing, painting, sculpture and other art, craft and design techniques. They are able to talk about what they like and dislike. They have an understanding and knowledge of a diverse range of great artists and designers, and understand the historical and cultural development of their art forms.
Ongoing assessments take place throughout the year and teachers use this information to inform future lessons and to ensure that children are ready for the next stage of their education.