• In Reception Year, children are encouraged to engage in a variety of art activities to develop their creativity and explore the world around them. They are given access to a range of materials, tools and techniques that are safe and appropriate for their age group.

• The aim is for children to experiment with these materials, tools and techniques in order to learn about colour, design, texture, form and function. This helps to develop their fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination and their understanding of spatial relationships.

• As they work, children are encouraged to talk about their creations, explaining the process they have used. This helps to develop their communication and language skills, as well as their ability to think critically about their work.

• When it comes to sharing their creations, children are given the opportunity to display them in the classroom or to take them home to show their families. This helps to build their confidence and pride in their work, as well as providing a sense of accomplishment.

In Key Stage 1, each autumn term begins with the colour project Mix It. The teaching of this project in Years 1 and 2 enables children to be introduced to and then revisit colour theory and provides plentiful opportunities for children to explore primary and secondary colours.

Year 1 begins by exploring themes directly related to the children themselves, such as their facial features, the surrounding natural world and their local community.

In Year 2, the projects expand children’s artistic horizons by allowing them to study a more comprehensive range of artists, artistic movements, and creative techniques.

Each autumn term in Lower Key Stage 2 begins with the colour project Contrast and Complement. In Years 3 and 4, the teaching of this project enables children to build on their previous understanding of colour and further develop their expertise by studying theory.

In Year 3, children expand their experiences to study a broader range of art forms, artists and genres. They also begin to study art from specific and diverse periods of history, including prehistoric pottery and Roman mosaics. Other genres studied in Year 3 build on previous techniques learned in Key Stage 1, including more complex techniques in printmaking, drawing, painting and textiles.

In Year 4, children develop more specialised techniques in drawing, painting, printmaking and sculpture. They explore ways in which ancient cultures have influenced art and crafts by studying, for example, medieval weaving techniques and the religious significance of Islamic art.

Upper Key Stage 2 In Upper Key Stage 2, each autumn term begins with the colour project Tints, Tones and Shades. Teaching these projects in Years 5 and 6 enables children to build on their previous understanding of colour theory and develop further expertise with colour by studying tonal variations and more complex colour charts.

In Year 5, children develop and combine more complex artistic techniques in a range of genres, including drawing, painting, printmaking and sculpture. Children continue to build on their understanding of other historical periods and cultures by studying the ancient Chinese art form of taotie and the significance of the Expressionist movement.

In Year 6, children are encouraged to work more independently in projects like Environmental Artists and Distortion and Abstraction. Such projects require them to consider more conceptual representations of personal, environmental, social or political messaging. Children explore diversity in art by studying the projects Inuit and Trailblazers, Barrier Breakers.