Caddington Village School



Art & Design

At Caddington Village School, we value Art and Design, we are Creators!! 

Art, craft and design illustrate imagination, inspiration and innovation! 

Art and design education should motivate, challenge and trigger excitement and expression. At our school, pupils will gain the knowledge and skills to create individual art where they are free to explore! 
As pupils progress through the year groups, they will gain a deeper understanding of different types of art and artists while improving their skills. They will learn that art can change our perspective, help us reflect on the past, and inspire us for the future. Art also fosters connection among people from all backgrounds.

At our schools, children will be creative and engaged, with the knowledge and
skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art. We are committed to having
a balanced, diverse and inclusive curriculum. Children will be critical thinkers and develop
a deeper understanding of the subject as well as art forms that have shaped our history
and culture. We aim to inspire our learners, build their confidence and provide stimulating
experiences. Pupils will deepen their understanding of art, cultural heritage, and diversity while enhancing their artistic skills and personal expression.

At our schools, the art curriculum follows the Chris Quigley framework. Children’s learning
focuses on three threshold concepts, which are the big ideas that underpin the subject. These threshold concepts are:




  •  Develop ideas – Understanding how ideas develop through an artistic process.



  • Master techniques – Developing procedural knowledge so that ideas may be
    communicated.



  • Take inspiration from the greats – Learning from both the artistic process and
    techniques of great artists and artisans throughout history.



Each threshold concept explores different knowledge categories:


• Media and materials
• Techniques
• Effects
• Colour Theory
• Emotions
• Artists and artisans
• Styles and periods
• Visual language
• Process


In Early Years, Art is delivered within the expressive arts and design area of the
curriculum. Pupils learn to safely explore and use a variety of materials, tools and techniques. They have opportunities to explore colour, design, texture, form and function. This is an opportunity available every day through child-initiated play, for example through painting, drawing with different materials and cutting and sticking. Sometimes they are engaged in an adult-led task which will involve the development of these skills as well.


In Key Stage 1, Art is taught alternate half terms with weekly lessons. Children build upon their skills, knowledge and understanding by engaging in lessons involving the above knowledge categories. They will learn to explore and collect visual information by sketching and planning pieces of simple art based on famous art pieces.  They will have the opportunity to develop their skills of painting, creating collages, sculpture, drawing, printing, textiles and digital media.


In Key Stage 2, Art is taught alternate half terms with weekly lessons. Children deepen
their skills, knowledge and understanding of the above knowledge categories. They will
use what they have learned and the skills they have developed in Key Stage 1 to become
more adept at creating pieces of art using painting, creating collages, sculpture,
drawing, printing, textiles and digital media. They continue to learn about inspirational
artists and make links to the artists they have learned about in Key Stage 1.

Assessment is ongoing through classroom observations, tasks and retrieval practice
against the threshold concepts. Assessment is recorded on the Depth of Learning system
and pupils are measured as having either ‘basic’, ‘advancing’ or ‘deep’ levels of understanding at their appropriate milestone.


As a result of our art curriculum, children will demonstrate their ability to develop ideas and master a variety of techniques through taking inspiration from a wide variety of artistic greats, including Picasso, Warhol and Kandinsky.

• Retrieval practice – This could include spot quizzes outside of dedicated lessons



• Opportunities to practice specific skills, such as drawing