Art

Intent 
At Ladysmith Junior School, we follow the National Curriculum to structure and shape our teaching of Art and Design. We believe that a high-quality art education should engage and inspire pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art. Through our curriculum we: 

• Inspire children’s creativity, imagination and self-expression through a wide range of artistic experiences. 

• Teach the knowledge, skills and techniques outlined in the National Curriculum through clearly structured and progressive sequences of learning. 

• Develop children’s understanding and use of artistic vocabulary, enabling them to discuss, evaluate and reflect on their own work and the work of others. 

• Provide opportunities for children to explore and experiment with a variety of media, materials and processes through three sections in art: drawing, paint and sculpture. 

• Introduce children to a diverse range of artists, craft makers and designers from different cultures, periods and backgrounds, helping them to understand the impact of art on society. 

• Encourage children to observe closely, think critically and communicate their ideas visually. 

• Enable all children to see themselves as artists and to apply their creativity, skills and knowledge to their wider learning and future lives. 

What do Art lessons look like at Ladysmith Junior School? 
At Ladysmith Junior School, our art curriculum is carefully planned using a progression map that ensures children build upon their knowledge and skills year after year. Lessons are designed to develop artistic understanding progressively, enabling children to grow in confidence and creativity as they move through the school. 

Throughout each academic year, children experience a range of artistic disciplines, including drawing, painting and sculpture. This broad exposure allows pupils to explore different materials, techniques and forms of expression while continually building on prior learning. As a result, children develop both their technical skills and their confidence as young artists. 

At the start of each unit, children are introduced to examples of high-quality sketchbook work. These examples help pupils understand how artists use sketchbooks to explore ideas, experiment with techniques and record their creative journey. By discussing and evaluating these examples together, children are encouraged to be reflective, curious and adventurous in their own sketchbook work. 

Children are also introduced to the unit schema. A schema is a visual overview of the key knowledge, vocabulary and concepts that will be explored throughout the unit. Combining text and images, the schema supports pupils in making connections between new learning and what they already know. This approach helps children to remember important information and build a deeper understanding over time. The schema is revisited at the beginning of every lesson, providing regular opportunities for retrieval and helping children to secure their learning in their long-term memory. Here is an example of a schema from Year 5: 

As lessons progress, children are given opportunities to practise new skills, experiment with materials and develop their own creative responses. Teachers model techniques, encourage discussion and provide guidance while allowing children the freedom to make artistic choices and express their own ideas. 

At the end of each lesson, pupils take part in a plenary session where they reflect on their learning. This provides an opportunity to celebrate successes, discuss challenges, evaluate their work and consider how their skills and understanding have developed. Regular reflection helps children become thoughtful, resilient learners who are increasingly able to talk confidently about their artistic choices and achievements. 

How do we ensure every child succeeds in Art? 
At Ladysmith Junior School, we believe that every child is an artist and that all pupils can achieve success in Art. We create an inclusive and supportive learning environment where creativity, experimentation and individuality are valued. 

We ensure all children can succeed by: 

• Providing clear modelling and step-by-step instruction when introducing new skills and techniques. 

• Breaking learning down into manageable steps, allowing children to build confidence and experience success. 

• Using high-quality examples and sketchbooks to inspire ideas and demonstrate effective artistic processes. 

• Encouraging exploration and experimentation, helping children to understand that mistakes are a valuable part of the creative journey. 

• Adapting resources, materials and levels of support to meet the needs of all learners. 

• Developing children's artistic vocabulary so they can discuss, evaluate and reflect on their work with confidence. 

• Celebrating effort, progress and creativity, as well as final outcomes. 

By fostering confidence, resilience and a love of creativity, we enable every child to develop as an artist and take pride in their achievements.