Nurture children’s natural development in drawing, creativity, and fine motor skills.
Inspire a passion for creating art and learning about its history and cultural impact.
Develop practical skills in using a variety of materials and resources.
Introduce influential artists and art movements from history to the present day.
Encourage students to talk and/or write critically and constructively about their own work and the work of others, using the language of art, craft, and design.
Enable students to produce original work in response to a concept, artistic style, or the work of another artist.
Support students who opt for Art and Design at Key Stage 4 to achieve a qualification that reflects their ability and independence.
Foster wider thinking and problem-solving skills, while building confidence, self-esteem, and self-awareness.
Implementation – How are we delivering our curriculum?
Art and Design is taught from Year 7 to Year 9, and optionally in Years 10 and 11.
The curriculum is tailored to meet individual and group learning needs and styles.
Curriculum time allocation:
Years 7–9: 1 hour per week
Years 10–11 (if opted): 2 hours per week
Skills are revisited and developed progressively through each year, with increasing independence in Key Stage 4.
Students work at a level of challenge appropriate to their individual needs.
A wide range of resources and equipment is available to support learning.
Progress is tracked using the school’s tracker system, which breaks learning into stages and steps covering knowledge and skill application.
Students receive regular verbal feedback to help them reflect critically and constructively on their work.
Assessment methods include:
Baseline assessments on entry
Self and peer assessments
Teacher assessments using progress trackers
Drawing assessments to determine developmental stage
Formal invigilation for KS4 qualifications
Impact – What difference is our curriculum making?
Our curriculum encourages creativity by offering students choice and ownership over their work, fostering individuality and confidence.
By supporting natural development, students build skills at their own pace, combining formal and informal approaches to art education.
Art lessons enhance fine motor skills, which benefit students across other curriculum areas.
Art and Design supports mental wellbeing and provides a valuable outlet for self-expression, especially for students who find verbal communication challenging.
Students leave The Valley School as confident, enthusiastic learners, well-prepared for future learning and life challenges.
