Art and Design
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Art and design is a compulsory National Curriculum subject for all 5 to 14 year olds in maintained schools and covers the areas of art, craft and design. Art and design is a key component of a balanced and rounded education for all children.
The national curriculum programmes of study for art and design strike a balance between theory and practice. They require pupils to experience a variety of art in different genres and styles and from different cultures, Western and non-Western. Following the National Curriculum Review in 2000, the number of attainment targets was reduced from two to one to ensure that the different components are better integrated
Art and design offers opportunities to stimulate children's creativity and imagination by providing visual, tactile and sensory experiences and a unique way of understanding and responding to the world. Pupils use colour, form, texture, pattern and different materials and processes to communicate what they see, feel and think. Through art and design activities, pupils learn to make informed value judgements and aesthetic and practical decisions, becoming actively involved in shaping environments. They explore ideas and meanings in the work of artists, craftspeople and designers. They learn about the diverse roles and functions of art, craft and design in contemporary life, and in different times and cultures. Understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of visual arts have the power to enrich pupils' lives.
During Key Stage 1 pupils develop their creativity and imagination by exploring the visual, tactile and sensory qualities of materials and processes. They learn about the role of art, craft and design in their environment. They begin to understand colour, shape and space and pattern and texture and use them to represent their ideas and feelings.
During Key Stage 2 pupils develop their creativity and imagination through more complex activities. These help to build on their skills and improve their control of materials, tools and techniques. They increase their critical awareness of the roles and purposes of art, craft and design in different times and cultures. They become more confident in using visual and tactile elements and materials and processes to communicate what they see, feel and think.
During Key Stage 3 pupils develop their creativity and imagination through more sustained activities. These help them to build on and improve their practical and critical skills and to extend their knowledge and experience of materials, processes and practices. They engage confidently with art, craft and design in the contemporary world and from different times and cultures. They become more independent in using the visual language to communicate their own ideas, feelings and meanings.
Main text
Legislation
Key documents
Best practice
Further information
