Art & Design

Intent

Art, craft and design are some of the most engaging and inspiring forms of creativity. At Riversdale, we aim to provide a high-quality art and design curriculum that equips our pupils with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art. Our enriching curriculum encompasses a range of skills including drawing, painting, sculpture and collage, and it encourages the pupils to think critically about their work and the work of others, developing a more rigorous understanding of art and design over time.

We believe strongly in the importance of building pupil confidence and in the development of their own expression and style, as such, our teachers place emphasis on the concept of progress and aspiration through reflection over perfection. To further achieve personal style, we aim to expose pupils to a wide range of artists from varying backgrounds, learning how both art and design reflect and shape our history and contribute to our modern-day culture.

Implementation

The teaching and implementation of the Art and Design Curriculum at Riversdale is based on the National Curriculum in KS1 and KS2 and Development Matters in EYFS. We believe that modelling and experimentation are the keys to making progress and achieving high-quality outcomes in art and design. As such pupils develop their skills and techniques in a way appropriate to them, through supportive, active and purposeful experiences, and using a variety of materials and teaching strategies. 

Outside of the curriculum, we develop the pupils' art skills, through a number of in-house art events and competitions. We also share the pupils' art work by taking part in local and national competitions and community events. There is an art club that children can attend, and children have the opportunity to help with activities such as set design for a range of school productions, such as the Drama Club end of year show and the Year 6 Leavers’ Production.

Curriculum Progression

At Riversdale Primary School we believe in the importance of all children developing a deep understanding of Art and Design and in embedding the substantive knowledge and disciplinary skills into their long-term memory. As such, the progression of Art and Design has been carefully mapped, with a consideration to connected subject matter and opportunities to revisit specific concepts over time.

You can find a copy of the 2024-25 Art and Design Progression Document here.

Lesson Delivery

All children are taught by a specialist art teacher, in dedicated art lessons once a week. They are given the opportunity to experiment with a range of media and techniques, specialising in drawing, painting and sculpture, as well as alternating between printing and collage each year. Pupils develop a wide range of domain specific knowledge and skills, including concepts such as colour theory and composition, making links to the work of various artists.

Pupils are provided with a Knowledge Organiser that:

  • outlines prior learning that they will be building upon,
  • lists the sequence of lessons so that pupils know what they are studying,
  • identifies the most significant knowledge that they should gain
  • includes images of key concepts, or significant examples to provide additional context for the pupils
  • defines the subject specific terminology that they are expected to learn and use.

You can find some examples of 2023-24 Knowledge Organisers for Art and Design below:

Curriculum Policies

Please find our Art and Design policy below:

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    Riversdale Primary School
    302A Merton Road
    Wandsworth London
    SW18 5JP

    0208 874 6904
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