Art, Design and Technology Curriculum

The teaching and implementation of the Art and Design Curriculum at All Saints’ C E Primary and Nursery School is based on the National Curriculum and linked to topics to ensure a well-structured approach to this creative subject. We have written our own Art and Design scheme tailored to the needs of our children.  The children are taught Art as part of their termly topic work. Areas and artists covered can be found in our Long-Term plan. We look at the ‘Quality of input, NOT data output’: how much are children exploring knowledge concepts?  Depth of learning and repeated, deliberate practise.  We talk to the children, using effective questioning to tease out the knowledge they have learned. We look in their sketchbooks, which shows pride in learning and children’s curiosity to deepen learning further. The work of local, national and international artists is explored to enhance the children's learning, as well as modern, classical and contemporary artists.

Early Years Foundation Stage pupils explore and use a variety of media and materials through a combination of child initiated and adult directed activities. They have opportunities to learn to:

• Explore the textures, movement, feel and look of different media and materials
• Respond to a range of media and materials, develop their understanding of them in order to manipulate and create different effects.
• Use different media and materials to express their own ideas
• Explore colour and use for a particular purpose
• Develop skills to use simple tools and techniques competently and appropriately
• Select appropriate media and techniques and adapt their work where necessary

Key stage 1 pupils are taught:

1. To use a range of materials creatively to design and make products
2. To use drawing, painting and sculpture to develop and share their ideas, experiences and imagination
3. To develop a wide range of art and design techniques in using colour, pattern, texture, line, shape, form and space
4. About the work of a range of artists, craft makers and designers, describing the differences and similarities between different practices and disciplines, and making links to their own work.

Key stage 2 pupils are taught to develop their techniques, including their control and their use of materials, with creativity, experimentation and an increasing awareness of different kinds of art, craft and design.

Pupils are taught:

1. To create sketch books to record their observations and use them to review and revisit ideas
2. To improve their mastery of art and design techniques, including drawing, painting and sculpture with a range of materials [for example, pencil, charcoal, paint, clay]

Design and Technology is a crucial part of school life and learning and it is for this reason that as a school we are dedicated to the teaching and delivery of a high-quality Design and Technology curriculum.

This is implemented through:

• A clear and comprehensive scheme of work in line with the National Curriculum. The Design Technology National Curriculum and EYFS is planned for and covered in full within the EYFS, KS1 and KS2 school curriculum. Whilst the EYFS and National Curriculum forms the foundation of our curriculum, we make sure that children learn additional skills, knowledge and understanding and enhance our curriculum as and when necessary.

  During the EYFS pupils explore and use a variety of media and materials through a combination of child initiated and adult directed activities. They have the opportunities to learn to:

  • Use different media and materials to express their own ideas
  • Use what they have learnt about media and materials in original ways, thinking about form, function and purpose
  • Make plans and construct with a purpose in mind using a variety of resources
  • Develop skills to use simple tools and techniques appropriately, effectively and safely
  • Select appropriate resources for a product and adapt their work where necessary
  • Cook and prepare food adhering to good health and hygiene routines
• Delivery of design and technology projects with a clear structure. In KS1 and KS2, each year group will undertake a construction unit, a textile unit and a nutrition unit. Nutrition is taught ensuring that children have a growing understanding of where food comes from, its seasonality and the need for a healthy and varied diet.
• Delivery showing clear following of the design process where each project fill follow: research, design, make and evaluate.

Art                                                                    DT

art and dt topics overview 2025 2026 1 .pdf