Art and Design
“Every child is an artist”.
Pablo Picasso
At Elmridge, our intent is to develop creative, confident and reflective artists who are inspired to explore, experiment and express themselves through a wide range of artistic experiences. We believe that art plays a vital role in helping children understand and shape the world around them. Everything in our world begins with an idea, a sketch, a model or a design, and we aim to equip pupils with the artistic knowledge, skills and creativity needed to become the designers, innovators and creators of the future.
Our art curriculum is carefully sequenced to ensure children progressively develop their understanding of drawing, painting and mixed media, sculpture and 3D, craft and design. Alongside developing practical skills and techniques, pupils build knowledge of significant artists, designers and craftspeople from a diverse range of cultures, periods and artistic traditions. Through this, children develop an appreciation of how art reflects, influences and shapes the world around them.
Art at Elmridge promotes creativity, curiosity and self-expression. Through opportunities to generate ideas, experiment with materials, refine techniques and evaluate outcomes, children learn to think and work like artists. They develop confidence in communicating their ideas and opinions whilst using increasingly precise artistic vocabulary to discuss, analyse and evaluate artwork.
Our curriculum reflects our values of Challenge, Care and Collaboration by encouraging children to take creative risks, persevere through challenges and work collaboratively when exploring artistic ideas. Through high expectations and adaptive teaching, all pupils, including those with SEND and disadvantaged pupils, are supported to access and succeed within the full art curriculum.
Art at Elmridge is taught through the Kapow Primary Art and Design curriculum, which provides engaging, knowledge-rich learning experiences that build children’s artistic understanding progressively over time. Learning is carefully sequenced to develop both substantive knowledge and disciplinary knowledge through the areas of drawing, painting and mixed media, sculpture and 3D, and craft and design.
Children are introduced to a diverse range of artists, designers and craftspeople and explore how their work has influenced art, culture and society. Through these experiences, pupils develop an understanding of artistic processes whilst recognising that art can be interpreted and expressed in different ways.
Teachers use explicit instruction, modelling and purposeful questioning to support children in developing secure artistic knowledge and skills. Artistic vocabulary is introduced, revisited and embedded regularly so that pupils can discuss techniques, explain creative choices and evaluate artwork with increasing confidence and accuracy.
Practical exploration is central to art at Elmridge. Children are provided with regular opportunities to experiment with a range of media, materials and techniques, developing skills through observation, practice, refinement and evaluation. Sketchbooks are used progressively across the school to generate ideas, record observations, explore techniques and reflect upon artistic development.
Learning is enriched through whole-school art projects, dedicated art days, exhibitions, competitions and opportunities to work collaboratively. These experiences help children recognise the importance of art within the wider world and encourage aspiration towards future creative pathways and careers.
Adaptive teaching strategies ensure all pupils can access ambitious artistic learning. Appropriate scaffolds, challenge and support are used to enable every child to succeed whilst maintaining high expectations for all learners.
At Elmridge, we are committed to developing creative, confident and reflective artists who appreciate the value of art within their own lives and the wider world. Through an ambitious and progressive curriculum, children develop secure artistic knowledge alongside the ability to create, evaluate and communicate their ideas effectively.
The impact of our art curriculum can be seen through the following key outcomes:
1. Secure Artistic Knowledge and Skills
Building Artistic Understanding
Children develop secure understanding of artistic concepts, techniques and processes through carefully sequenced learning that builds progressively over time. Pupils can apply their knowledge across a range of media and make meaningful connections between different artistic disciplines.
Knowledge Through Creative Exploration
Through practical experiences and experimentation, children deepen their understanding of artistic techniques and processes. Pupils learn that art is not simply about producing a final outcome, but about generating ideas, refining skills and developing creative solutions.
2. Creating and Thinking Like Artists
Artistic Skills and Creativity
Children develop the disciplinary knowledge needed to think and work like artists through observation, experimentation, reflection and evaluation. These approaches are revisited progressively throughout the curriculum, enabling pupils to become increasingly independent and purposeful in their creative work.
Artistic Communication
Pupils acquire and use precise artistic vocabulary to explain ideas, discuss techniques and evaluate outcomes clearly and accurately. Through discussion, questioning and collaborative learning, children develop confidence in articulating their creative thinking.
3. Creativity, Confidence and Independence
Developing Creative Confidence
Children approach art with enthusiasm, curiosity and imagination, showing a willingness to experiment, take creative risks and explore new ideas. Practical experiences and enrichment opportunities help pupils view art as meaningful, enjoyable and relevant.
Positive Learning Behaviours
Pupils develop resilience, independence and collaboration through artistic processes. Children learn to persevere when refining work, respond positively to feedback and work effectively with others to develop and improve ideas.
4. Aspiration and Achievement
Strong Artistic Outcomes
Children achieve highly from their individual starting points due to ambitious expectations, carefully sequenced learning and high-quality teaching. Pupils develop secure artistic knowledge and skills that prepare them well for future learning in art and design.
Understanding the Wider World
By the end of Year 6, pupils leave Elmridge with an appreciation of how art reflects cultures, communities and individual experiences. They recognise the importance of creativity within society and a wide range of careers, enabling them to see themselves as future artists, designers, architects, innovators and creative thinkers.
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Key Texts and Literacy Links
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Art in Action
Wilton Drive, Hale Barns
Altrincham, Cheshire WA15 0JF
Call us: 0161 980 4941
Link takes you to our Instagram page ElmridgePrimarySchool
