Create

Our Vision

Art at our school is a powerful and purposeful journey that enables every child to SHINE, using creativity as a form of courageous expression and advocacy. We believe that art has the capacity to stir emotion, provoke thought, and help us understand life from another person’s point of view, and our curriculum is designed to nurture this through rich, interconnected experiences.

Our Aims

Through a carefully sequenced progression of painting, drawing, printing, textiles, 3D work, and collage, pupils develop both technical skill and creative confidence, learning to experiment, and communicate visually with increasing sophistication.

They encounter a diverse range of artists, styles, and art forms that broaden their perspectives. They learn to evaluate and analyse artwork using the Big Ideas of art (Line, colour, shape, texture, pattern, form and space)

How We Teach

Create is taught in the Autumn term, through a carefully sequenced, high‑quality curriculum that ensures every child has regular opportunities to develop their creativity, technical skill and expressive confidence.

Learning is always rooted in our project questions (see attached), which act as a stimulus and a thread weaving Art into the wider curriculum so that creativity is never taught in isolation but enriches subjects such as History, Geography, English and PSHE through interconnected learning.

Teachers follow a clear progression of skills, ensuring that pupils revisit and build on prior learning as they move through the school. Lessons include explicit teaching of techniques, opportunities for experimentation, and time for pupils to reflect on and refine their work.

Children are introduced to a diverse range of artists and art forms to broaden their understanding of how art communicates ideas, emotions and perspectives.

Assessment is ongoing and purposeful, with teachers identifying strengths and next steps so pupils can improve their work and develop as confident, courageous young artists. Through this approach, Art becomes a meaningful, expressive and empowering part of school life, enabling every child to SHINE!

The Difference It Makes

We know our curriculum is successful when pupils can talk confidently about their learning, show pride in their work, and demonstrate progress over time. Pupils enjoy Create and understand its importance in everyday life.

Year 4 parent feedback from exhibition (2025): “I’ve got three children, all in different year groups, and the exhibition was great for us to see how our children develop over their time here. We are grateful for the wonderful opportunities you provide!”

Y6 Pupil voice (2025): “I was so impressed by what I had created by the end of the term. I loved sharing what I had made with my family- they couldn’t believe it either!”.

Governor report (2026): “In year 2 students talked about the shine show and how they encouraged each other with love and aspiration. They talked about how they first felt nervous but because they’re a team they were able to support each other and the show was a great success”.

Enrichment Opportunities

Our Create projects are enriched through meaningful, memorable experiences that allow children to express themselves creatively, connect with our local community, and celebrate their achievements. These opportunities deepen pupils’ understanding of how art communicates ideas, emotions and stories, and help them see themselves as artists with a voice.

Year group events: such as the Year 2 SHINE Show and the Year 5 Light of the World performance, where pupils use art to express identity, message and meaning.

Trips: including visits to puppet and performance workshops at Christ’s Hospital to explore storytelling through art.

Artist visitors: such as the artist who worked with Year 1 to create sculptures from recycled materials, inspiring environmental creativity.

Community links: for example, our partnership with the local library, where Year 1 pupils painted pebbles for the sensory garden.