Art and Design
At Danesholme Academies, our art and design curriculum is designed so that every child will 'Be Ready':
Ready to Learn — In Art and Design, we provide a creative, skills-based curriculum that sparks imagination. Children are ready to explore materials, try new techniques, and develop their own artistic ideas.
Ready for Life — Through Art, children build confidence, resilience, and self-expression. They learn to reflect on their work, appreciate creativity, and recognise how art shapes the world around them.
Ready to Contribute — Art and Design promotes collaboration, respect, and appreciation of different styles and cultures. Children learn to share ideas, celebrate others’ work, and contribute creatively to their community.
Ready to Succeed — With progression in artistic skills and knowledge, children are supported to achieve well. High expectations and purposeful practice ensure they are ready for the next stage of their creative journey.
Implementation
At Danesholme Junior Academy, we follow the Primary Knowledge Curriculum for Art and Design which is a knowledge-rich, carefully sequenced journey that enables children to develop as confident, creative and reflective artists. Through the study of artists, designers, architects and a wide range of artistic movements, children build their understanding of artistic concepts, techniques and processes while developing their own creativity and personal style.
Pupils explore drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, textiles, photography and mixed media, developing their skills progressively throughout their time at the academy. They learn to observe, analyse and evaluate artwork, making connections between different artists, cultures and historical periods. The curriculum celebrates diversity by introducing children to artists from a wide range of cultural backgrounds, including women and those whose contributions have traditionally been underrepresented in art history.
Where appropriate, learning is linked to the wider curriculum and local area, helping children understand how art reflects the history, culture and heritage of their community. Children are encouraged to take inspiration from the world around them, developing a sense of pride in both their local environment and their own artistic achievements.
Our Art curriculum strongly supports our Danesholme KRR values of being Kind, Ready and Respectful. Children demonstrate kindness through valuing the ideas and creativity of others, readiness through experimentation, resilience and a willingness to develop new skills, and respect through appreciating different artistic traditions, cultures and perspectives. Through creative expression and thoughtful reflection, pupils develop confidence, independence and a lifelong appreciation of the arts.
Please see the full implementation below.
Impact