Art & Design

Our art and design projects follow the Cornerstones Curriculum are well sequenced to provide a coherent subject scheme that develops children’s skills and knowledge of visual elements, art forms, artists and art movements.  

Projects are placed alongside other subject projects where there are opportunities for making meaningful connections. For example, Beautiful Botanicals has been placed in the same teaching sequence as the science project Plant Nutrition and Reproduction.  

Where possible, projects with similar materials are spaced out to have as little strain on resources as possible. For example, in Key Stage 1, clay work is taught in different terms. Seasons are also a consideration for the placement of art and design projects. For example, if children are required to work outdoors, these projects have been placed in either the latter part of the spring or summer term. 

 In Amber Class, each autumn term begins with essential skills and knowledge projects (For example mixing Colours and Exploring Colours). Teaching these projects enables children to be introduced to and then revisit colour mixing and the colour wheel with plentiful opportunities for the children to explore primary and secondary colours and hues. Children explore themes directly related to the children themselves, such as their facial features, the surrounding natural world and their local community.  With projects expanding children’s artistic horizons with study of artists, artistic movements and creative techniques throughout the years. 

In Lower Key Stage 2, Sapphire and Topaz, each autumn term begins with essential skills and knowledge projects (Colour Theory in Sapphire and Warm and Cool Colours in Topaz). Teaching these projects enables children to build on their previous understanding of colour and further develop their expertise by studying tertiary, analogous and complementary colours with many opportunities for the children to explore warm and cool colours. In Sapphire, children expand their experiences to study a broader range of art forms, artists and genres. They also begin to study art from specific and diverse periods of history, including prehistoric pottery and Roman mosaics. Other genres studied in Sapphire build on previous techniques learned in Key Stage 1 and include more complex techniques in printmaking, drawing, painting and textiles. In Topaz, children develop more specialised techniques in drawing, painting, printmaking and sculpture. They explore ways in which ancient cultures have influenced art and crafts by studying, for example, medieval weaving techniques and the religious significance of Islamic art.