At Bawnmore, we believe every child is an artist. Through art and design, children express ideas, explore new techniques, and build confidence. Our curriculum nurtures creativity while supporting wellbeing, relationships, and a love of learning—the golden thread that runs through everything we do.

Curriculum

Our art and design curriculum is ambitious, inclusive, and carefully sequenced from Early Years to Year 2. We aim for children to:

• Enjoy expressing themselves creatively
• Explore a wide range of tools, materials, and techniques
• Develop knowledge of famous artists and artistic styles
• Use and understand key art vocabulary

Children learn through drawing, painting, printing, sculpture, and collage. In Reception, art is embedded into play and exploration. In Years 1 and 2, skills are built gradually using sketchbooks and structured lessons.

Teaching

Teaching in art is practical, inspiring, and rooted in exploration. Our approach includes:

• Opportunities for hands-on creativity in every year group
• Use of sketchbooks to record ideas and develop skills
• Outdoor learning for inspiration and connection with nature
• Study of famous artists and diverse artistic traditions
• Explicit teaching of art vocabulary and reflection on ideas

Positive relationships and high-quality interactions ensure every child feels confident to experiment and take creative risks.

Achievement

By the end of Year 2, children:

• Enjoy expressing themselves through art
• Use a variety of tools and techniques with growing skill
• Talk confidently about their work and artistic choices
• Show pride in what they create and resilience when things go wrong

SEND and Inclusion

Art is accessible to all learners. Tasks are flexible and adapted to meet individual needs, celebrating every child’s unique creativity. We value effort, expression, and enjoyment over perfection.

Full details of our art and design curriculum can be found in our Art and Design Curriculum Document.