Thorpe Primary School

Where we all can shine

0113 5217040

parents@thorpe.leeds.sch.uk

Dolphin Lane, Thorpe, Wakefield,
West Yorkshire, WF3 3DG

Art and Design Curriculum Intent

At Thorpe Primary School our overall vision is that Art and Design has the capacity to allow all children of all ages and abilities to express, communicate and experiment in a creative manner.

We believe that art is a vehicle to stimulate creativity, imagination and inventiveness and that Art and Design gives our pupils the skills, concepts and knowledge necessary for them to express responses to ideas and experiences.

We aim to develop the teaching and learning of Art and DT through: thinking, engagement, actions and motivation. Art and Design at Thorpe provides children with the opportunity to learn a variety of skills and to take part in a variety of creative activities. 

  • Through our teaching of Art, we want children to develop and build on their skills, concepts and knowledge each year.
  • We use Art to enable the children to communicate what they see, feel and think.
  • Opportunities to experiment with their ideas, their use of colour, texture, form, pattern and different materials and processes.
  • Self-evaluation of work is encouraged and children are taught resilience to achieve their goals.
  • Children explore ideas and meanings through the work of artists and designers and discuss how art has shaped our history and current affairs.
  • The local area influences our curriculum with studies of local artists both historic and modern.
  • We invite specialist artists in to work with the children and staff, to inspire them and challenge their thinking and creativity.
  • We give children the opportunities to visit museums and galleries, developing their skills of observation and evaluation.
  • Whole school celebrations, events and exhibitions in addition to offering a range of after school clubs which are led by teachers and learning support staff who promote a love of art and creativity.
  • Children take ownership of their sketchbooks to inspire individuality and respect. They record experience and imagination, to help the children develop their ideas and to show progression in their artistic ability.
  • Independence and collaborative work.
  • A curriculum rich in the arts, inspiring and nurturing each individual, raising self-esteem and confidence.
  • All children are able to access lessons in Art and Design through careful planning, differentiation and support.
  • Assessment and celebration of work.
  • Challenge for the more able children and additional support for children who require it.