Art

Art

Intent

At Farsley Springbank, our art curriculum is designed to inspire, engage and challenge children to think creatively, express themselves with confidence and develop a lifelong appreciation of the visual arts. We aim to equip all children with the knowledge, skills and independence to create their own works of art, craft and design.

Our curriculum is shaped by our six drivers — Independence, Determination, Curiosity, Risk-Taking, Collaboration and Respect — which bring our school values of being Courageous, Kind and Curious to life. Through art, children are encouraged to be independent thinkers, making creative choices and taking ownership of their artistic journey. They learn that determination and perseverance help them improve their skills and overcome challenges. Their natural curiosity is fostered as they explore a wide range of media, techniques, artists and cultures. We value risk-taking in art, encouraging children to experiment, make mistakes and discover new possibilities. Through collaboration, they learn to share ideas, give constructive feedback and celebrate each other’s creativity. Underpinning all of this is respect: for themselves as artists, for the work of others and for the diverse artistic heritage that shapes our world.

We are committed to providing an arts-rich curriculum where children not only build artistic knowledge and skills but also grow in confidence, character and cultural understanding. By learning about a wide range of artists, craftspeople and designers from different cultures, time periods and local contexts such as David Hockney, children see how art reflects and shapes society. Visits to galleries, collaborations with local artists and opportunities to exhibit their own work raise aspirations and show children the many ways creativity enriches our community and the wider world.

Implementation

Each year group engages in three art topics per year, providing children with meaningful and engaging opportunities to develop their artistic learning. Our art curriculum has been sequenced to ensure clear progression of skills in drawing, painting, 3D art, textiles and collage, enabling children to build on prior learning and develop increasing independence in their choice of media and techniques.

Every child has a sketchbook which travels with them through school, capturing their personal artistic journey. Sketchbooks provide a safe space for risk-taking, experimentation and reflection where children can explore ideas freely and see their progress over time. Children enjoy looking back through their previous art projects which helps them retrieve knowledge and make connections between skills they have learned. This reflection supports long-term understanding and encourages pride in their artistic development.

Each unit begins with an exploration of an artist, craftsperson or designer from a diverse range of cultures and periods. Children study their techniques, inspirations and creative processes, developing curiosity and respect for different visual art. They record ideas and reflections through sketches, annotations and media experiments. Lessons then focus on developing key skills such as drawing, colour mixing, printmaking or stitching, allowing children to practise and refine techniques which nurtures children’s determination.

Children are taught to evaluate their own and others’ work thoughtfully and kindly, building collaboration and respect. They learn to identify what went well and what could be improved, developing confidence to persevere and take creative risks in future work.

Our curriculum is enriched by a whole-school Arts Week each year, where children are immersed in exploring artistic styles, cultures and materials. The week celebrates creativity, curiosity and courage in trying something new, encouraging children to experiment, take risks and express themselves through a variety of artistic experiences.

Through our art curriculum, children at Farsley Springbank become confident, independent and expressive artists who can communicate ideas, emotions and stories through visual media. They understand that creativity is a process that involves curiosity, determination and risk-taking, and they take pride in their ability to reflect, refine and improve their work.

Our pupils leave Farsley Springbank with a deep respect for the artistic achievements of others and an appreciation of how art reflects diverse cultures, identities and histories. They value collaboration as part of the creative process and understand how teamwork and shared ideas can inspire even greater outcomes.