SUCCESS FOR ALL

Curriculum Overview

The Art & Photography curriculum is designed to inspire creativity, develop technical competence, and build pupils’ confidence as independent artists and photographers. The curriculum enables pupils to explore a wide range of artistic disciplines, materials, techniques and cultural influences, while progressively developing their ability to observe, analyse, experiment and refine their work. It is ambitious, inclusive and carefully sequenced to ensure all pupils, regardless of starting point, can succeed.

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Curriculum Intent

The intent of the Art & Photography curriculum is to ensure that pupils:

· Develop strong foundational skills in drawing, photography and the formal elements (line, tone, colour, texture, form, scale and proportion).

· Gain secure technical knowledge across a wide range of media, including drawing, painting, mixed media, printmaking, textiles, 3D/clay work and digital photography.

· Understand and apply the creative process: research, observation, development, experimentation and refinement leading to meaningful outcomes.

· Engage with a broad and diverse range of artists, photographers, movements and cultures, from Ancient and Renaissance art to modern and contemporary practices.

· Become independent, reflective and resilient learners, capable of initiating ideas, responding to themes and evaluating their own progress.

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The curriculum aims to prepare pupils for success at GCSE and beyond, equipping them with transferable skills such as creativity, problem-solving, visual literacy and critical thinking.

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Curriculum Design and Sequencing

The curriculum is carefully structured and sequenced to build knowledge and skills over time.

· Pupils begin with foundational knowledge, including the formal elements, basic drawing skills, mark making, tonal control and observation.

· Early projects draw on historical and cultural contexts, such as Prehistoric symbolism, Ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman art, developing pupils’ understanding of how art communicates meaning.

· As pupils progress, they explore increasingly complex artistic movements and styles, including Renaissance art, Impressionism, Expressionism, Fauvism, Surrealism, Pop Art, Op Art, Art Nouveau and Art Deco.

· Technical skills are revisited and strengthened through deliberate practice and skills workshops, ensuring knowledge is retained and applied across different contexts.

· Photography is introduced through camera handling, experimentation and digital processes, before developing into more advanced work involving artist research, Photoshop and independent project work.

· At GCSE, pupils apply their accumulated knowledge and skills through self-initiated projects, personal responses and externally set tasks, demonstrating depth, creativity and independence.

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This sequencing ensures pupils move from structured skill-building towards increasingly open-ended and ambitious creative outcomes.

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Curriculum Implementation

The curriculum is implemented through a combination of:

· Skills workshops that explicitly teach techniques such as drawing, painting, printmaking, textiles/batik, 3D/clay work and digital photography.

· Project-based learning, where pupils follow the artistic process of research, observation, development and final outcome.

· Regular opportunities for experimentation, encouraging pupils to take creative risks and explore materials confidently.

· Explicit teaching of artist and photographer research, enabling pupils to analyse influences and apply them to their own work.

· Ongoing formative assessment, including verbal feedback, modelling and reflection, to support improvement.

· Structured preparation for GCSE assessment objectives, including coursework portfolios, PPEs and externally set exam tasks.

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Teaching ensures that all pupils are supported and challenged appropriately, with adaptations made to meet the needs of disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND.

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Curriculum Impact

The impact of the Art & Photography curriculum is seen through:

· Pupils producing high-quality, increasingly sophisticated artwork and photographic outcomes over time.

· Strong progression in technical skill, confidence and independence.

· Secure understanding of artistic movements, techniques and visual language.

· Pupils’ ability to articulate ideas, evaluate their work and refine outcomes effectively.

· Positive outcomes at GCSE, with pupils well prepared for further study in creative subjects.

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Pupils leave the curriculum with a strong appreciation of art and photography, an understanding of its relevance in the wider world, and the creative skills needed for future learning and employment.

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Accessibility and Inclusion

The curriculum is designed to be inclusive and accessible:

· Skills are broken down into clear, manageable steps.

· Visual exemplars, modelling and structured scaffolding support understanding.

· Opportunities for choice and personalisation allow pupils to work from their strengths.

· Targeted support and adaptation ensure all pupils can engage meaningfully and succeed.

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Through this approach, the Art & Photography curriculum enables all pupils to thrive creatively and academically.

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Curriculum Map