Art and Design

Curriculum Intent

We value Art and Design as an important element in the broad and balanced curriculum we provide at Perrymount Primary School.  Through our Art and Design curriculum, we aim to inspire pupils and develop their confidence to experiment and invent their own works of art. We want to build upon a child’s early creative experiences whilst enabling them to express themselves in a practical and inspiring way so that our children have no limits to what their ambitions are and to grow up wanting to be illustrators, graphic designers, fashion designers, curators, architects, printmakers etc. Through learning about a wide range of Art and Crafts from various cultures, we hope to not only develop the children’s passion and love of the subject but also build a respect, natural inquisitiveness and an appreciation of art in all its forms, which they may carry with them throughout their lives.  

We use the ‘Kapow Primary’ art scheme of work to form the basis of our Art and Design curriculum, which is designed to give children every opportunity to develop their ability, nurture their talent and interests, express their ideas and thoughts about the world, as well as learning about the rich heritage and culture of the British Isles and beyond.

Curriculum Implementation

The ‘Kapow Primary’ Art and Design scheme of work is designed with four strands that run throughout – these are:

• Making skills
• Formal elements (line, shape, tone, texture, pattern, colour)
• Knowledge of artists
• Evaluating

These strands are revisited in every unit of work. When exploring art and design skills and formal elements of art units, children have the opportunity to learn and practise skills discretely.  The knowledge and skills from these units are then applied throughout other units.  Key skills are revisited repeatedly with increasing complexity in a spiral curriculum. Thus allowing pupils to revise and build on their previous learning.

Through practical work, we develop children’s knowledge and understanding of key artists and art movements. Creativity and independent outcomes are embedded in our curriculum and support children in learning how to make their own creative choices and decisions, so that their art outcomes, whilst still being knowledge-rich, are unique to the child and personal. 

Lessons are practical in nature and encourage experimental and explanatory learning with children using sketchbooks to document their ideas. All children are challenged in line with their year group expectations and are given the opportunity to build on their prior knowledge.  Lessons are differentiated to ensure lessons can be accessed and enjoyed by all and opportunities to stretch children’s learning implemented. Knowledge organisers for each unit support children in building a foundation by encouraging recall of key facts and vocabulary.

Art and Design units are taught termly, and although discreet, cross curriculum links are made where accessible.  Lessons take place in our art classroom and are taught once a week during one-half of each term.  Opportunities for children to visit local art galleries and museums are planned for as well as afterschool art clubs.

Design and Technology

Curriculum Intent

At Perrymount Primary School, children receive a Design and Technology curriculum which allows them to exercise their creativity and passion through exciting designing and making opportunities. We use the ‘Kapow Primary’ Design and Technology scheme of work to form the basis of our DT curriculum. Through this, we aim to inspire pupils to be innovative and creative thinkers who have an appreciation for the product design cycle through ideation, creation and evaluation.  We want children to develop the confidence to take risks, through drafting design concepts, modelling, and testing and to be reflective learners who evaluate their work and the work of others. We aim to build an awareness of the impact of design and technology on our lives and encourage children to become resourceful, enterprising citizens who will have the skills to contribute to future design advancements.

Through engaging in a creative and challenging curriculum, the children will develop a lifelong love of learning. The Design Technology curriculum will provide all children with the opportunity to develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills, equipping them with the values to live well in our society and prepare for the challenges of the modern world.

Curriculum Implementation

Through ‘Kapow Primary’s’ Design and Technology  scheme, children respond to design briefs and scenarios that require consideration of the needs of others, developing their skills in five key areas:

• Mechanisms
• Structures
• Textiles
• Cooking and nutrition (Food)
• Electrical Systems (KS2)

Each key area follows the design process (design, make and evaluate) and has particular themes and focus from the technical knowledge or cooking and nutrition section of the NC. Our scheme is a spiral curriculum, with key areas revisited repeatedly and with increasing complexity, allowing children to revisit and build upon their previous learning.

Lessons incorporate a range of teaching strategies from independent tasks, paired and group work including practical hands-on, computer-based and inventive tasks.  This variety means that lessons are engaging and appeal to those with a variety of learning styles.  All children are challenged in line with their year group expectations and are given the opportunity to build on their prior knowledge.  Lessons are differentiated to ensure lessons can be accessed and enjoyed by all and opportunities to stretch children’s learning implemented. Knowledge organisers for each unit support children in building a foundation by encouraging recall of key facts and vocabulary.

Design and Technology units are taught termly and discreet, cross curriculum links are made where accessible.  The design process is rooted in real life with relevant contexts that are pertinent to the children’s everyday lives as young designers and inventors of the future. Lessons take place in our Art classroom and are taught once a week during one-half of each term.  Design Technology at our school allows children to apply the knowledge and skills learned in other subjects, particularly Maths, Science and Art. All children will be given the opportunity to develop their understanding the importance of nutrition and safe food preparation. This will subsequently provide them with a lifelong skill, whilst also learning about ingredients and food traditions from different cultures around the world.