Art and Design

At Cranmore, our Art & Design curriculum inspires curiosity, creativity and self‑expression. Children develop the confidence to explore ideas, experiment with materials and celebrate their unique artistic voice. Through a rich variety of experiences, they build the foundations of key artistic knowledge, skills and vocabulary that prepare them for later primary learning.

Our curriculum follows the National Curriculum for art and design.

What We Teach

Through EYFS, we encourage children to explore a wide range of media and materials freely. Pupils develop fine motor skills through drawing, painting, cutting, moulding and mark‑making. Staff support children in expressing ideas, feelings and observations through art. Pupils build early vocabulary for colour, shape, pattern, texture and media. We nurture imagination and instil confidence so that pupils can talk about their creations and the processes they used.

Our KS1 Art & Design curriculum builds upon pupils’ early experiences and steadily develops their artistic skills. Teachers recognise the varied starting points children bring into Key Stage 1 and introduce new media and techniques progressively, offering explicit guidance as pupils learn to manipulate materials with increasing control.

How We Teach

Writing in the EYFS and KS1 is taught through a balance of rich language experiences, explicit teaching, and purposeful opportunities to write. In the Early Years, children explore mark‑making, develop fine‑motor skills, build early phonics knowledge, and learn that writing communicates meaning. As they move into KS1, teaching becomes more structured, with daily phonics, modelling, shared writing, and guided practice helping children to spell, form letters, and construct sentences. Across all stages, talk, high‑quality texts, and inclusive scaffolding support children to develop confidence, creativity, and independence as young writers. Teachers guide pupils sensitively as they develop self‑belief in their artistic abilities. We champion a growth‑mindset approach, encouraging children to “have a go,” take creative risks, and learn from mistakes in a supportive, inclusive environment

What Children Learn and How We Assess

Our school uses the Kapow Primary Art & Design scheme to provide a structured, progressive and inspiring approach to art education from the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) through Key Stage 1 (KS1). Kapow supports teachers with high‑quality planning, modelling videos, clear progression and creative, practical learning.

EYFS

EYFS activities integrate with the wider EYFS provision, allowing children to create freely and revisit skills through continuous provision. These lessons encourage experimentation, sensory experience and confidence in expressing ideas, aligning with Kapow’s aim to inspire creativity and early artistic identity.

KS1

In KS1, Art and DT Kapow’s structured units across four core areas:
Drawing, Painting & Mixed Media, Sculpture & 3D, and Craft & Design.

The lessons build directly on EYFS experiences and introduce new techniques, giving pupils increased opportunities to develop ideas, reflect on their work and learn about artists.
Units are taught in a spiral curriculum model, where key skills are revisited with growing complexity to ensure strong progression.
Each lesson includes clear modelling and differentiated guidance so all pupils can access the learning, with stretch opportunities provided where needed.
Pupils use sketchbooks to document ideas, explore techniques and reflect on their artistic decisions.

.Assessment

Assessment is ongoing throughout all units and supported by Kapow’s built‑in lesson guidance, knowledge organisers and evaluation activities. Pupils develop not only artistic skills but also metacognitive awareness, being able to identify what they have improved and what they aim to develop next. This ensures pupils are secure in their knowledge and prepared for future learning.

Key curriculum information

National Curriculum for Art and Design - CLICK HERE

Useful documents about Art and design in school