• Providing our children with a breadth of study in which knowledge, skills and understanding are taught implicitly
  Facilitating creative processes for our children
• Developing plans that allow children to be stimulated by idea, techniques, materials and other artists’ work or cultural traditions.
• Providing our children with opportunities to investigate pieces
• Allowing our children to behave both as artists as critics, investigating, making, talking and thinking
• Facilitating a culture where children can develop their communication skills and expressing their ideas and feels
• Making cross-curricular links so that the learning is meaningful and enjoyable

At Lady Margaret Primary School, we teach Art and Design as a discrete subject that link to either the core text, or the focus topic for that half term (geography or history). This makes the learning memorable, meaningful and enjoyable while simultaneously developing a breadth of study of artistic knowledge and skills.

The learning journey in Art and Design consists of the following:

• A discussion around famous quotes made by a range of artists
• An introduction of the topic and the idea/activity
• An analyses of the focus artists’ pieces where the children immerse themselves into the world of visual language and representation
• A demonstration of the focus process or technique delivered by experiences teachers
• The children creating their own pieces using either the artist influence, process or stimulus that they resonated with
• An evaluation and reflection of their own pieces

Our Art and Design curriculum, starting from the Early Years foundation stage up to Key Stage 2, is a culturally rich plan in order to expose our children to art in the wider world.

Our curriculum coverage allows for a breadth of opportunities such as the engagement in an artists in residence programme, Legacy Project and cultural week. Lady Margaret School serves a diverse community of many cultures and languages. We want all our children to gain knowledge and understanding of the art from around the world.

Throughout the academic year, our children have opportunities to further develop their understanding of artic knowledge and skills through other subjects such as PSHE (anti-bullying week), Reading (Book week), Religious Studies (Spirited arts competition) and much more.

Demonstrate secure artistic mastery

Pupils confidently control a broad range of media — including drawing, painting and sculpture — showing depth, fluency and increasing precision in their technique. Their work demonstrates the secure foundations needed for a successful transition into secondary art.

Apply a clearly sequenced body of artistic knowledge

They use an increasingly sophisticated visual language, showing strong understanding of colour, pattern, texture, line, shape, form and space. Their knowledge builds systematically over time, preventing gaps and supporting deep conceptual understanding.

Think and create like real artists

Pupils use sketchbooks purposefully to explore ideas, record observations, refine work over time and develop independence. Their artistic journey shows resilience, curiosity and the ability to improve work through thoughtful revision.

Evaluate artwork with confidence and accuracy

They analyse their own and others’ work using correct artistic terminology, communicating ideas with confidence. Their evaluations show insight, critical awareness and the ability to justify decisions.

Understand the cultural and historical significance of art

Pupils know a diverse range of influential artists, architects and designers. They recognise how art shapes, reflects and challenges society and can connect artistic movements, styles and ideas to their own creative decisions.

Produce creative, original and purposeful outcomes

Their final pieces show imagination, technical skill and thoughtful use of materials. They make informed artistic choices, work with increasing independence and take pride in high-quality outcomes that reflect sustained practice and personal expression.

Art and design curriculum termly overview

• Fine motor development is enhanced through creative tasks like cutting, threading and manipulating materials. 
• Visual-spatial awareness is supported through design activities and structured visual perceptual games.