Art

‘Art is as natural as sunshine and as vital as nourishment.’ 

Mary-Ann Kohl


At Chandos, we aim for all children to leave our school with the ability to create artworks using a wide variety of media, through a curriculum which builds on skills year on year. Our children will be exposed to a wide range of artists, designers and architects throughout their time at school and will be able to talk about art work questioning why, how and when it was created. Through sketchbooks, they will be able to record these ideas, practice new skills and share experiences.


Every child, regardless of gender, race or ability will have equal access to the Art Curriculum. We aim to provide for all children so that they can achieve their best according to their individual needs, whether they need additional support or more challenge.

Curriculum Intent

At Chandos, we

Curriculum Implementation

At Chandos, we teach our wider curriculum through the learning challenge model. Each new topic begins with a 'big question', which the children aim to seek the answer to by asking a series of smaller questions - in Art, these questions are based around a particular area of art. Children then explore portraiture, sculpture, design, architecture, painting and art within their environment, producing their own artwork in the style of and influenced by others they have researched and studied. 

Our children are given the opportunity to interact with art work by visiting local art galleries and museums (in person and virtually) as well as having artists visit the school to work with the children directly. On a daily basis, our pupils have the opportunity to view a real life piece of art work, loaned to us by the Art Council Connect, which hangs outside of our Hall.

We want to empower our children to be as creative as they possibly can be and pride ourselves on creating opportunities for children to ask questions, express themselves artistically, and to experience a variety of artistic experiences.


Early Years

The Early Years Curriculum ensures that Art is taught through ‘Expressive Art and Design’.  

Throughout their time in Early Years,  children are given the opportunity to explore different mediums and to express themselves creatively. By painting, drawing and sculpting, children not only begin to learn and develop their artistic skills but also their fine motor skills too. 


KS1 and KS2 Yearly Overviews

Every year group has one learning challenges which focus on famous artist, designer or architect. 

These are as follows: 

Year One

Year Two

Year Three

How did Kusama turn a dot into art?

Should Van Gogh Have Been Appreciated More In His Time?

Is Fashion Art?

Year Four

Year Five

Year Six

Abstract Art: Weirdly wonderful or simply boring?

Is Graffiti Art?


Hokusai: How Did He Create His Wave?

Art Skills To Be Developed

At Chandos, pupils will be taught to develop their artistic techniques through experimentation, including to control and use the materials they are using. They will be given an increasing awareness and experience of different kinds of art, craft and design.

Children will be taught the skills outlined in the National Curriculum: drawing, painting, printing, scultping, collage and 3D techniques in response to pieces of artwork. They will then use these skills to create their own pieces. 

We have simplified these skills into three main categories to allow children to easily identify and build upon previously taught skills. 

They are as follows:

Children will record observations in a sketchbooks which they will use to review and revisit ideas including rehearsing techniques. 

Children will improve and master techniques such as drawing, painting and sculpture using a range of materials. 

Children will discuss and critique the work of great artists, architects and designers in history, giving their opinions of their work.

Curriculum Impact

At Chandos, we aim to instil a love of learning through our broad and exciting Art curriculum by encouraging children to develop ideas, communicate what they have learnt through sketchbooks and produce final pieces. Children gain an understanding of how art impacts them and the world around them through exciting opportunities to work with artists; projects to create pieces of art; and the chance to visit galleries. 

At the end of every learning challenge, children will have the opportunity to respond the the 'big question'. This is their opportunity to demonstrate and express what they have learnt during their topic by creating a final piece of artwork in repsonse to the question as well as a written response to their work. 

For more information... 

Miss Cockell is our Curriculum Development Lead.

Please feel free to speak to her with any questions that you may have.