Art at Ashbourne Primary School

Art at Ashbourne Primary School promotes creativity, a love of self-expression and collaborative participation.

At Ashbourne Primary, children progressively develop the skills and confidence to express themselves creatively through a range of personal and shared projects. Pupils explore different techniques, materials and styles, building their knowledge over time and learning about significant artists and designers.

Children take part in whole-school collaborative projects, contributing to shared pieces of artwork based on common themes. They are also encouraged to take ownership of their environment by contributing to the design and creation of displays around the school. Our annual Art Week provides further opportunities to develop skills, deepen knowledge and celebrate creativity.

Our Curriculum

Our art curriculum is carefully planned and sequenced over a two-year cycle:

• Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2)
• Lower Key Stage 2 (Years 3 and 4)
• Upper Key Stage 2 (Years 5 and 6)

Children begin by developing their foundational knowledge and skills in art and design. As they progress, they deepen their understanding and apply what they have learned across a range of techniques and projects.

We recognise that learning takes time and repetition. Our curriculum is designed to ensure that key knowledge and skills are revisited and embedded in pupils’ long-term memory before being applied in more complex and creative ways.

Linked to Our Golden Threads

Our art curriculum supports our Golden Threads:

• Language and Literacy – pupils develop the vocabulary to describe, evaluate and discuss their work and the work of others
• Resilience and Regulation – pupils learn to refine their work, respond to feedback and persevere through the creative process
• Belonging and Becoming – pupils express their individuality, collaborate with others and take pride in their contributions to the school environment

Through our art curriculum, pupils:

• Develop confidence in expressing their ideas and creativity
• Build strong foundations in artistic skills and techniques
• Learn about a range of artists, styles and cultural influences
• Take pride in their work and the shared environment
• Engage positively in creative processes and collaborative projects