Art anddesignprogrammesofstudy: key stages 1 and 2

NationalcurriculuminEngland

Purpose of study

Art, craftand designembody some ofthe highestforms ofhumancreativity.A high-qualityartanddesign educationshouldengage,inspireand challengepupils,equipping themwiththe knowledge andskills to experiment,inventandcreate theirown worksofart,craftanddesign.Aspupils progress,theyshould beable to thinkcriticallyand developa morerigorous understandingofartanddesign.Theyshould alsoknow howartand designbothreflectandshape our history,andcontribute to the culture,creativityand wealth ofournation.

Aims

The national curriculum for art and designaims to ensurethatall pupils:

  • produce creativework,exploringtheir ideasandrecordingtheirexperiences
  • become proficientin drawing,painting,sculpture and other art,craftand designtechniques
  • evaluate and analysecreative worksusing thelanguageofart, craftanddesign
  • knowaboutgreatartists,craftmakersand designers,and understand thehistoricalandculturaldevelopment of their art forms.

Attainment targets

By the endofeachkey stage,pupils areexpected to know,apply andunderstand thematters,skills and processes specifiedin the relevantprogramme ofstudy.

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Art and design –keystages1and2

Subject content

Keystage1

Pupilsshouldbe taught:

  • to use a range ofmaterials creatively to designand makeproducts
  • to use drawing,painting andsculpture to develop andshare their ideas,experiencesandimagination
  • to develop a wide rangeofartand designtechniques inusing colour,pattern,texture,line,shape,form andspace
  • aboutthe work of a rangeofartists,craftmakers and designers, describing thedifferences and similaritiesbetween differentpractices anddisciplines,andmakinglinks to their ownwork.

Keystage2

Pupils should be taughtto develop their techniques,including their controlandtheir useofmaterials,with creativity,experimentationand an increasingawareness ofdifferent kindsof art, craftanddesign.

Pupilsshouldbe taught:

  • to create sketchbooks to recordtheirobservations andusethemtoreviewandrevisitideas
  • to improvetheir masteryofartand designtechniques,including drawing,painting andsculpturewith a rangeofmaterials [forexample,pencil,charcoal, paint,clay]
  • aboutgreatartists, architects and designersin history.

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Reference: DFE-00170-2013