Art at St Nicholas Primary School is about inspiring the children to become creative, independent artists. Our curriculum will engage, inspire and challenge pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment and create their own art. All children will study and analyse a range of artists, whilst exploring, developing and analysing our three main areas: drawing, painting and sculpting. Children will have the opportunity to think critically and develop a rigorous understanding of art and design. Throughout the school, the children will practise and develop these skills in their sketch books. These are used to ensure children produce creative work, whilst exploring their ideas and recording their experiences.

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

At St. Nicholas, children are artists from the very start of Foundation. In EYFS, their environment encourages them to be creative and begin to explore a range of artistic skills. Throughout the year, children are encouraged to use a range of mediums and resources. Children are taught how to use a range of materials and tools with care and precision. There are plenty of opportunities for the children to discuss their art work and their findings.

Key Stage 1

In Years 1 and 2, Children will build on the skills learned and begin to think critically. In their sketch books, children will explore artists, drawing, painting and sculpting. Our curriculum provides the children with opportunities to develop a wide range of art and design techniques in using colour, pattern, texture, line, shape, form and space. At the start of each unit, they will study a great artist and will use similar skills throughout their own art and design process. They will also reflect at the end of their unit and describe similarities and differences by making links to their own work.

Key Stage 2

In Years 3 – 6, all children will continue to develop their skills in their sketch books. These will be used to review and revisit ideas, in order to improve their mastery of art and design techniques. The three main areas of the curriculum will continue to be drawing, painting and sculpture, in order for them to build on and reflect on their prior knowledge. Children will develop their techniques, including their control and use of materials. As well as this, our curriculum allows the children to gain a greater awareness of history in art and reflect on how artists have influenced their own work.

How can I support my child with Art and Design?

To support art at home, you don’t need fancy art materials. Just provide access to as many types of drawing tools as you have in the house (even Biro’s are fine). Children can draw on opened-out envelopes or the backs of food packages. Be creative and don’t feel restricted by lack of “proper” materials.

Obviously a child needs a physical space to work, but they also need mental space. Once you are sure they understand the activity, try not to hover and watch them. Hang back and give them space. It’s also important to let them go off on tangents – if something captures their imagination and they follow their own path, then celebrate that.

Remember creativity is a very fragile process. Who doesn’t remember someone telling them they can’t sing or can’t draw, and then that person never revisiting that activity as an adult. When a child or teenager has made something, try asking them to tell you about it or try the activity yourself to see how the experience was for you, and then have a shared conversation about it. Be positive and open!

Useful websites

BBC Bitesize – They’ve put together a guide of easy DIY crafts and recipes for all ages so you and your child can get creative when inspiration runs thin.

Access Art – Access Art have a range of suggestions and resources to support Art at home.

Tate Kids  – Here, children can play games and quizzes, watch videos about art and be inspired to make their own creations at home. They can also share their artwork in the gallery!

National Portrait Gallery – This website has a link for a virtual tour of a range of art time periods and themes

Place2Be – This website has clear links to well-being within art. The creative projects can help adults and children to nurture their relationship whilst having fun making art together. Each project offers space to explore an engaging theme through stories, art and conversation. The activities provided can be adapted to a range of settings with children of different abilities and ages. The aim of these projects is to encourage children to create something they want to make. We hope their creativity can be celebrated and social and emotional wellbeing strengthened through this process.

Artful Parent  – This website has over 500 arts and crafts activities!