Art
Art and Design Curriculum at Gilmour Primary School
At Gilmour Primary School, our Art and Design curriculum is designed in line with the national curriculum to ensure that all pupils:
- Create imaginative and expressive artwork, exploring their ideas and documenting their experiences.
- Develop proficiency in a variety of art forms, including drawing, painting, sculpture, and other techniques.
- Evaluate and critique creative works using art-specific language.
- Learn about influential artists, designers, and craft makers, while gaining an understanding of the historical and cultural evolution of their art forms.
The Art curriculum at Gilmour Primary School is structured into focused blocks, with each block covering specific artistic disciplines such as drawing, painting, printmaking, textiles, 3D art, and collage. Vertical progression is carefully integrated throughout the curriculum, allowing pupils to revisit and deepen their understanding of these key disciplines as they move through their primary years. This approach ensures increasing levels of challenge and complexity in their artistic development.
In addition to mastering the core knowledge required for each artistic discipline, the curriculum also highlights key elements of artistic growth in the Working Artistically section. Each module focuses on different aspects of these competencies, helping both teachers and pupils track development in a broader sense. This not only aids teachers in understanding how well pupils are acquiring the taught knowledge and skills but also supports the growth of each child as an individual artist.
Curriculum Structure:
Art and Design is taught across all year groups through focused modules, allowing pupils to explore key skills, understanding, and vocabulary in depth. Each module is carefully planned to build on previous learning, including foundations laid in EYFS, to ensure long-term retention and understanding.
Modules are sequenced to ensure vertical progression, where students revisit key artistic concepts with increasing complexity and depth as they advance through the school. This deliberate approach ensures that by the end of their primary years, pupils can confidently express their ideas and opinions on artwork, create original pieces, and document their artistic journey in sketchbooks.
Vocabulary Development:
We prioritize the development of a rich vocabulary in Art and Design. From Year 1 through to Year 6, students are introduced to subject-specific vocabulary that progresses in difficulty and frequency. High-frequency words (Tier 2) are taught alongside subject-specific terms (Tier 3) to support students’ understanding and articulation of artistic concepts. Each module includes a dedicated vocabulary section with teacher guidance, activities, and resources to ensure pupils are equipped with the language needed to engage with and reflect on art.
Through this structured and creative curriculum, Gilmour Primary School ensures that every pupil is given the opportunity to develop their artistic abilities, express themselves, and appreciate the value of art in both historical and cultural contexts.
Core Content:
