Art
“Art does not reproduce what we see; rather, it makes us see.”
Paul Klee.
At Thornton Primary School, we believe that Art and Design provides every child with the opportunity to explore their imagination, express their ideas and develop confidence in their own creativity. Through a broad, engaging and inclusive curriculum, pupils are encouraged to experiment, take risks and celebrate their individuality while developing the knowledge and skills needed to become successful young artists.
Our curriculum is carefully planned in line with the National Curriculum and is designed to ensure that learning builds progressively throughout Key Stage 2. Children develop their skills in drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking and mixed media whilst exploring a diverse range of artists, designers and craftspeople from different cultures, backgrounds and time periods. This helps pupils develop an appreciation of both local and global artistic traditions and encourages them to respect and value different perspectives and experiences.
At Thornton, our school values of Equality, Aspiration, Resilience, Teamwork and Honesty are woven throughout Art and Design. Children learn that there is no single "right answer" in art and are encouraged to be ambitious in their creative thinking, resilient when refining their work and respectful when sharing and discussing ideas with others.
We place a strong emphasis on developing children's ability to talk confidently about art. Through the use of our Art Toolkit and subject-specific vocabulary, pupils learn how to analyse, evaluate and discuss artwork with increasing confidence and precision. They are encouraged to explain their creative choices, reflect on their learning and appreciate the work of others.
Assessment supports pupils in becoming successful artists. Each lesson begins with retrieval activities that help children revisit and strengthen previously taught knowledge, vocabulary and techniques. Throughout each unit, teachers assess learning through discussion, practical work and sketchbooks, while end-of-unit assessments help identify what pupils know, remember and can do.
As a Gold UNICEF Rights Respecting School, we recognise every child's right to express their thoughts, ideas and opinions. Art provides a valuable platform for children to communicate their views, explore their identity and engage with important themes that matter to them and their communities.
We are proud to celebrate children's artistic achievements both within and beyond school. Pupils regularly participate in local and national competitions and have opportunities to showcase their artwork to wider audiences. More recently, this has included designing book endpapers for a competition by Korky Paul, providing opportunities for selected pupils to have their artwork published in illustrated books. These experiences help pupils to understand the relevance of art in the wider world and inspire them to take pride in their creative accomplishments.
By the end of Key Stage 2, we aim for every child to leave Thornton as a confident, reflective and creative individual who has developed a secure understanding of artistic techniques, an appreciation of diverse artistic traditions, and the confidence to express themselves through art.
How Parents Can Support at Home
Parents and carers can support their child's artistic development by:
- Encouraging drawing, painting and creative activities at home.
- Visiting local galleries, museums and exhibitions.
- Discussing artwork, architecture and design seen in everyday life.
- Exploring the work of artists studied in school.
- Celebrating effort, creativity and perseverance rather than focusing solely on the finished product.
Together, we can help children develop a lifelong enjoyment of creativity and the arts.