Art/Design and Technology  at Flyford Flavell First School 

Children begin their Art and Design and Technology learning journey in Reception by developing their fine motor skills and making simple representations  in a range of contexts with varied mediums. Moving on to Key Stage 1, they refine their skills representing form and begin to understand how can be used to express emotions, thoughts and views. KS1 pupils are increasingly able to discuss why they like a piece of work and mirror techniques for effect.  They begin to reflect on their own work to consider how it could be developed or improved.

In Key Stage 2, children are able to analyse and replicate design techniques.  They are aware of how design can by used to  further  understand a political,  cultural or historical context or express a political or emotional viewpoint. Pupils are increasingly able to express their own views, thoughts and emotions through their work.

Though our art and design curriculum, we take the opportunity to strengthen children's understanding  of a diverse range of cultures, linked to our topic work. 

Early Years 

Children develop their artistic skills through child initiated activities. They have an opportunity to use a range of media and materials as well as a selection of tools to develop preferred skills. Children use their own imagination and observations from both their environment and other artists to design their own creations.  They have frequent opportunities to explore “junk” modelling to let their imagination run wild!

The art and design curriculum is used to help develop children's knowledge of a range of cultures.  For example,  whilst looking at the relevance of light when celebrating Diwali, children made holders to put their candles in. 

Key Stage One

Children being to learn about a range of famous artists and use their techniques to produce their own work in a similar style.     They begin to learn how to plan a design or art project, think about the resources they need and then think reflect on the finished result.  Children are encouraged to view a range of art work and share their thoughts.  Do they like it? If so why? How does it make them feel?  They begin to understand and respect other peoples’ thoughts and feelings about art.

The children develop their artistic skills including sketching, colour mixing, painting and sculpting. They draw inspiration from a range of artists including Degas, Monet, Georgia O Keefe, Alma Thomas and Gwen John,    Children design airborne 3d models   linked to their topic of flight, using and applying their mathematical skills.   Children begin to understand that people react differently to art, having their own personal likes or dislikes. 

Lower Key Stage Two

Pupils in years 3 and 4 will develop their artistic techniques, including their control and their use of materials, with creativity, experimentation and an increasing awareness of different kinds of art, craft and design. They will explore different styles of self-portraits and study a wider range of artists including, Casper Friedrich, Harold Edgerton, Salvador Dali and Steven Wiltshire . They will use technology to show their own interpretations of famous works.

Pupils will develop and expand their range of techniques and have the opportunity to use different materials.

Linked to their topics, they use different brushes and strokes to portray cave art, create Egyptian landscapes and use photography to create movement in their artwork. 

Children will be able to plan using set criteria and choose suitable equipment and materials. They will design using inspiration from designers such as Coco Chanel for both practicality and attractiveness and learn to evaluate and make improvements to their creations based on their original criteria.

Upper Key Stage Two

In Years Five and Six, pupils will be given the opportunities to develop their creativity, skills and techniques further through explorations and studies of differing artists and media. Artists to be investigated include Kandinsky, Lowry, Van Gogh  Banksy, and  Matisse. Pupils shall explore contrasting landscape styles, portrait, collage, sculptures in addition to art from different cultures and times and gain an understanding of meanings and messages that art can express.

Pupils will also expand their techniques and abilities in design and technology. Across their projects they will have the opportunities to investigate materials including  fabrics, modelling and food. Upper Key Stage Two children will then take their learning further by designing and building moving models, different breads and meals and their own fabrics. They will also be introduced to the researching, marketing and development of their items to specific briefs with Enterprise projects.