Intent

Art, Craft and Design at Malborough with South Huish Primary School

Intent
What do we aim to achieve in Art at Malborough with South Huish Primary School?
At Malborough with South Huish Primary School, we believe that Art, Craft and Design are essential to a rich, balanced education that nurtures the whole child. These subjects allow children to explore and express ideas about themselves and the world around them. We value their role in developing creativity, self-expression, and cultural awareness.
We aim to:
- Develop children's skills in generating ideas, making and evaluating art.
- Build knowledge of key artists, materials, tools and techniques.
- Support children in expressing themselves with confidence.
- Lay strong foundations for Key Stage 3 and a lifelong appreciation of the arts.
- Connect children with art as a way of understanding the wider curriculum and the world.
We also embrace the ever-evolving nature of the arts, helping children understand how art reflects society, gives voice to diverse people, and contributes to modern life.
Implementation

Which curriculum do we use?
We follow the National Curriculum, supported by the AccessArt programme—a high-quality, forward-thinking visual arts curriculum. It offers a wide range of rich,
contemporary resources that are engaging and inclusive.

Each year group studies three units:

- Autumn: Drawing and Sketchbooks
- Spring: Surface and Texture
- Summer: Working in Three Dimensions
These include drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture and collage. In the Early Years, art is taught through themes such as What Can We See? and How Can We Explore Colour?,
Encouraging exploration, imagination and expression.
What knowledge and skills do we teach?
Children are supported to:
- Build knowledge through practical work across key art disciplines.
- Develop skills in generating ideas, making and evaluating.
- Explore the elements of art: line, shape, form, colour, tone, texture and pattern.
- Connect art to historical and cultural contexts.
- Understand the relevance of contemporary art in todays world.
- Develop visual literacy, critical thinking and artistic vocabulary.

How do we ensure diversity is represented in Art, Craft and Design?
Our curriculum introduces children to a wide range of contemporary artists whose work reflects different identities, backgrounds and lived experiences, many of which represent protected characteristics.

By studying these artists, children:
- Gain insights into diverse lives and perspectives.
- Explore social issues through art.
- Challenge stereotypes and develop empathy.
We ensure that all children see themselves reflected in the curriculum and feel empowered to express their own identity through art.
How do we ensure Art, Craft and Design is inclusive for all learners?
Our curriculum is designed to be accessible and inclusive, enabling every child to succeed, regardless of background or need.

- Lessons are adapted for pupils with SEND through scaffolded support and flexible
recording methods.
- Tasks are open-ended to allow for personal responses and creativity.
- Sketchbooks give every child a space for ownership, exploration and growth.
Through high expectations and tailored support, all children can thrive artistically.

How is Art, Craft and Design planned?
Each year group follows a long-term plan aligned with AccessArt learning pathways.
Medium-term plans include:
- Skill progression and learning outcomes
- Focus artists and themes
- Elicitation and retrieval tasks
- SEND adaptations and assessment guidance
How is Art, Craft and Design taught?
Each unit consists of 5–6 weekly lessons, which include:
- Learning about an artist or style
- Experimenting with tools and materials
- Developing specific skills
- Exploring creative ideas
- Producing and evaluating a finished piece
Children use sketchbooks to develop and refine their work throughout each unit.

What do lessons look like?
Every lesson begins with a retrieval activity to revisit prior learning—tools, techniques or artist studies. Children then:

- Engage in practical work
- Discuss and reflect on their process
- Practise taught skills
- Apply learning independently
- Use artistic vocabulary to evaluate their work and others’
How is progress ensured?
We build on prior knowledge year-on-year. Elicitation and retrieval tasks reinforce learning and help children make connections. As they progress, children:
- Use precise artistic vocabulary
- Show increasing control with materials
- Build a growing bank of artists for inspiration and comparison
Impact

How is learning assessed?

Assessment takes place through:
- Ongoing questioning in lessons
- Sketchbook reviews to inform next steps
- A final crit session at the end of each unit, where pupils reflect on their own and others’ work

Teachers assess:
- Control and use of tools and materials
- Understanding of the discipline, art elements and key artist
- Development and communication of ideas
How is teaching monitored and supported?

The Art subject leader monitors:
- Sketchbooks
- Working walls and displays
- Pupil voice and digital assessments
Staff are supported with:
- CPD from AccessArt
- Medium-term planning
- Weekly PowerPoint slides and guidance

How is the overall impact measured?
Teachers record termly assessment data in Sonar to track:
- Children exceeding age-related expectations
- Children working towards expected outcomes
- Progress over time

The subject leader:

- Shares up-to-date resources and strategies
- Oversees school art resources
- Supports teachers with training and planning
Final Word
At South Hams Federation, we believe that education empowers children to grow into confident, creative individuals who can understand and shape the world around them.
Our Art, Craft and Design curriculum offers all children the opportunity to explore, develop and express their talents—and we measure success through both outcomes and children’s confidence, enthusiasm and engagement in the arts.