Intent
At St Charles, we believe that high-quality teaching of Art and Design Technology inspires pupils to develop creativity, confidence and a strong understanding of the design process. Our curriculum is carefully sequenced to build a progressive repertoire of knowledge, skills and vocabulary, enabling children to express ideas and solve problems through artistic and practical outcomes.
In Art, pupils develop their ability to experiment, record and present ideas using a wide range of materials, including drawing, painting, printing, collage, textiles and sculpture. They explore and evaluate their work through sketchbooks, refining ideas over time, while gaining knowledge of artists, styles and cultural influences.
In Design Technology, pupils learn to design, make and evaluate purposeful products for different users and contexts. They develop ideas through discussion, drawing and modelling, applying knowledge from areas such as science, computing and mathematics.
Across both subjects, we foster curiosity, resilience and creativity, encouraging pupils to take risks, experiment and reflect on their work. Our aim is to develop confident, reflective learners who can explain their thinking, refine their ideas and express themselves creatively.
Implementation
At St Charles, Art and Design Technology are delivered through a carefully sequenced, progressive curriculum that builds knowledge, skills and vocabulary from EYFS to Year 6.
A skills-based approach, rooted in the National Curriculum, ensures that learning is structured and develops systematically across year groups. Clear progression maps identify the key knowledge, technical skills and vocabulary pupils need to acquire, including areas such as mark making, use of colour, textiles and materials, alongside developing control and precision in techniques.
Teaching is organised into blocked units to allow pupils to focus deeply on specific disciplines, while also making meaningful links with other subjects where appropriate. Lessons follow a consistent process of investigating, developing skills and designing, making and evaluating outcomes, enabling pupils to apply their learning in purposeful contexts.
In Art, sketchbooks are an essential tool used across all year groups to record observations, explore ideas, test materials and refine work. Pupils are encouraged to revisit and develop their ideas over time, supporting progression and independence. In Design Technology, pupils engage in a range of structured projects each year, covering cooking and nutrition, structures, mechanisms, textiles and electrical systems. These projects enable pupils to design and create functional products for different users, applying knowledge from across the curriculum.
Teaching is supported through clear learning objectives, modelling and targeted questioning, ensuring pupils develop subject-specific knowledge and understanding. Key vocabulary is explicitly taught and revisited to support retention and application.
In EYFS, learning is delivered through Expressive Arts and Design and Physical Development, where pupils explore materials, develop fine motor skills and begin to represent their ideas with increasing complexity.
Impact
Through high-quality teaching, our Art and Design Technology curriculum enables pupils to express their ideas, thoughts and feelings creatively, building confidence from EYFS onwards. Pupils make clear progress in both skills and knowledge, becoming increasingly proficient in a range of techniques and using subject-specific vocabulary accurately. They learn to refine and improve their work, developing resilience and allowing their individuality to shine. Children gain an understanding of artists, designers and cultural influences, supporting them to create imaginative and purposeful outcomes and make links across the curriculum.
By the end of each key stage, most are able to design, make and evaluate their work thoughtfully, identifying strengths and next steps. As a result, pupils leave St Charles as confident, creative and reflective learners.