Art
At Wisbech St Mary, we follow the Primary Knowledge Curriculum (PKC) for Art. It is a knowledge-rich curriculum where knowledge is valued, explicitly taught, and designed to be remembered. Knowledge in Art includes learning about artists, designers, architects and their work, alongside the artistic concepts, styles, techniques and historical contexts that influence both their work and the children's own artistic development.
The curriculum enables children to make meaningful connections between the work of artists, architects and designers, which they study critically, and their own creative work. They evaluate their artwork and relate it back to the artists they have explored, creating a continuous cycle of learning and reflection. Alongside this, children develop a genuine appreciation and enjoyment of Art while discovering their own identity as artists through opportunities for self-expression.
Each unit focuses on key artistic concepts and different forms of art. These include the elements of art such as line, shape, colour, tone, form, space and texture, together with the different artistic styles and media including painting, sculpture, architecture, portraiture, landscapes and historical movements from around the world.
The curriculum provides clear progression in practical skills, including painting, drawing, 3D form, collage, textiles, printmaking, photography and mixed media. Children are introduced to a wide variety of materials while steadily developing both technical skills and artistic knowledge throughout their primary education.
Progression is also carefully planned through children's understanding of artistic concepts, styles and creative processes. Early learning focuses on observation, discussion and imaginative drawing, while older pupils develop independent investigation, annotation, sketching, planning, experimentation and evaluation, enabling them to become increasingly confident and independent artists.
The curriculum fully meets the requirements of the National Curriculum for England and demonstrates how art has shaped history and culture. Children study significant artistic movements and historical periods including Ancient Greece and Rome, Anglo-Saxon England, the Middle Ages, the Italian Renaissance, Victorian Art and Architecture, French Impressionism and twentieth-century Modernism. Where appropriate, Art units build upon previous History learning to strengthen children's understanding across subjects.
The curriculum also promotes cultural diversity by including art from the Islamic world, West Africa and China, alongside the work of women artists and artists from traditionally underrepresented communities. This helps children develop a broader understanding of global artistic traditions and the diverse influences that have shaped art throughout history.
The curriculum overview explains how National Curriculum objectives are met across Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. It details the concepts, artistic skills, processes, artists, designers and architects studied in each year group. Children's learning is recorded in sketchbooks, which include artwork, photographs, observations, evaluations and reflections. Knowledge organisers, learning objectives and quizzes may also be included to demonstrate progression in knowledge, understanding and artistic skills.
