art Subject rationale

Our Art rationale explains how we deliver a curriculum that nurtures creativity, imagination, and self-expression while developing technical skill and cultural understanding. Drawing on the most recent educational research, we design a coherent and knowledge-rich learning journey that balances practical knowledge (skills and techniques), theoretical knowledge (art concepts and history), and disciplinary knowledge (critical thinking and evaluation). Through carefully sequenced lessons, pupils explore a range of media, study diverse artists, and learn how art reflects and shapes society. We encourage experimentation, independence, and reflective practice, ensuring every child can express ideas confidently and thoughtfully. Purposeful assessment and retrieval practice support progression and mastery, equipping pupils with the knowledge and skills to appreciate and create art in meaningful ways.