Slip End Village School

At our schools, we want our children to 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. They should 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 develop a rigorous understanding of art and design, cultural
heritage and diversity as they refine their mastery of art skills in their individual creativity
and expression. 

At our schools, the art curriculum follows the Chris Quigley framework. Children’s learning
focuses on three threshold concepts, which are used as the basis for a schema and which
are the ‘big ideas’ that underpin the subject.

The three threshold concepts in art 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 has its own facet of knowledge which helps strengthen the
schema. The knowledge categories are as follows:

• 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 with lessons that engage with 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 cover
topics such as portraiture, landscape art and ancient art. 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.

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

• Opportunities to practice specific skills, such as drawing

Art & Design

Art & Design