Art & dESIGN
Art is at the heart of our school, woven purposefully through the fabric of our curriculum and playing a vital role in the development of every child. We believe that creativity is not an “extra”, but an essential part of how children learn, express themselves and understand the world around them. Through art, pupils are encouraged to think critically, explore ideas and make meaningful connections across subjects, enriching their learning in areas such as history, science, literacy, and beyond.
When children are creative, they learn more deeply, and their confidence, curiosity, and wellbeing flourish. Our art curriculum is carefully structured to be progressive across all four year groups, ensuring that pupils build their skills, knowledge, and confidence over time. Throughout their journey, children are given regular opportunities to explore a wide range of artistic mediums, including drawing, painting, printing, and sculpture. This progression allows pupils to revisit and refine techniques, experiment with materials and develop their own unique artistic voice as they move through the school.
By Year 6, pupils are ready to deepen their understanding of art in more sophisticated and reflective ways. They are introduced to conceptual art and are challenged to ask and explore the question: ‘What is art?’ Through discussion, experimentation, and critical thinking, children begin to understand that art is not only about technical skill, but also about ideas, meaning, and interpretation. This approach encourages them to think more analytically and independently, preparing them for the expectations of secondary school and equipping them with the confidence to engage thoughtfully with the subject.
Our commitment to art is reflected in the breadth of experiences we offer: we have been fortunate to welcome inspiring visitors into our school, including Jim Moir and Nancy Sorrell, who spoke to our pupils about the importance of art and creativity. Two of our children were also given the incredible opportunity to take part in the Sky Arts programme ‘Painting Birds’ alongside Jim and Nancy—an experience that exemplifies how we nurture talent and celebrate artistic achievement; we maintain strong links with local artists and the wider creative community. Workshops with practising artists provide pupils with authentic insights into artistic processes and careers. Most recently, we worked with well-known Margate artist Mercedes Lucy, whose workshop inspired pupils to experiment with new techniques and ideas; we are also proud to be collaborating with Turner Contemporary on an exciting project involving a group of Year 4 pupils, working alongside local artist Sara Trillo to develop their creative skills and understanding.
Each year, we celebrate the artistic achievements of all our pupils through a large-scale retrospective exhibition. This event is thoughtfully planned and curated in partnership with our Year 6 Art Ambassadors, who play a key role in championing art across the school. These ambassadors are passionate role models who raise the profile of art, support younger pupils and lead a major creative project each year. Previous projects have included a striking large-scale bottle top interpretation of Hokusai’s The Great Wave off Kanagawa and a “secret” street art initiative (Sanjoo) within our local community, celebrating significant historical figures from our town.
Our pupils also have opportunities to share their work beyond the school. We are currently proud to have artwork exhibited at the local Guildhall as part of celebrations marking 800 years of mayors in Sandwich, demonstrating the value we place on connecting children’s creativity with the wider community.
Art extends beyond the classroom through enrichment opportunities such as our weekly Art History Club, where pupils explore a diverse range of artists from different cultures, backgrounds, and time
periods. Inspired by what they learn, children create their own artwork, developing both technical skills and a deeper appreciation of art’s global significance. This is further enhanced by our annual Easter Art Challenge, which encourages pupils to continue their creative journey at home.
We are deeply committed to ensuring that children encounter a wide and representative range of artists whose identities reflect the modern, diverse world in which they live. By carefully linking art to other areas of learning, we enable pupils to build a richer, more connected understanding of their education.
Thanks to the generous support of local artists and art societies, we have been able to invest in high-quality materials, ensuring that every child has access to the tools they need to create with pride and purpose. Ultimately, our aim is to foster a lifelong love of art. We want our pupils to leave our school not only with strong artistic skills, but with the confidence to express themselves, the ability to think creatively, and an understanding of the importance of art in shaping both personal wellbeing and the wider world.
MISSION STATEMENT
Content currently being updated.
THE CURRICULUM
art curriculum overview 2025 26.pdf
