Art and Design
At Leopold Primary School, we believe that art and design education is essential for developing creative, confident, and culturally aware learners. Our art curriculum inspires pupils to explore their imagination, develop technical skills and express themselves through a variety of artistic mediums. We aim to nurture a lifelong appreciation of art and design, enabling our pupils to understand and contribute to the visual world around them.
Intent
Our art and design curriculum is designed to:
- Develop creativity and imagination – Pupils explore ideas, experiment with materials, and create original artwork that reflects their unique perspectives
- Build technical skills progressively – From EYFS through to Year 6, children develop mastery in drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, and digital art
- Cultivate cultural awareness – Pupils study diverse artists, art movements, and cultural traditions, helping them understand art's role in society and history
- Foster critical thinking – Children learn to observe carefully, analyse artwork, and articulate their thoughts and feelings about what they see
- Encourage self-expression – Art provides a safe space for pupils to communicate ideas, emotions, and experiences visually
Implementation
How We Teach Art
Our art curriculum is delivered through:
Dedicated art lessons – Each class has regular, timetabled art sessions where pupils engage in hands-on creative activities
Cross-curricular links – Art connects with other subjects including history (studying art from different periods), geography (exploring art from various cultures), and English (using visual stimuli for creative writing)
Skill progression – We design our curriculum to ensure clear progression in artistic skills, processes, and concepts, connecting topics thoughtfully and developing the fundamental skill of observation – the art of looking
Exposure to artists and artworks – Pupils study a range of artists, from historical masters to contemporary practitioners, learning about different techniques, styles, and cultural contexts
Practical exploration – Children work with diverse materials including paint, clay, textiles, collage materials, and digital tools, developing confidence across multiple mediums
Key Skills Development
Throughout their time at Leopold Primary School, pupils develop:
- Drawing – Line, tone, texture, pattern, and perspective
- Painting – Colour mixing, brush techniques, and compositional skills
- Sculpture – 3D form, construction, and manipulation of materials
- Printmaking – Relief printing, monoprinting, and pattern creation
- Digital art – Using technology creatively to design and manipulate images
- Textiles – Weaving, stitching, and fabric manipulation
Impact
By the time pupils leave Leopold Primary School, they will:
- Have developed confidence in expressing themselves creatively
- Possess a strong foundation in artistic techniques and processes
- Understand and appreciate art from different times, places, and cultures
- Be able to discuss and evaluate artwork using appropriate vocabulary
- Have discovered personal artistic interests and strengths
- Recognise the value of creativity in everyday life and future learning
Enrichment Opportunities
We enhance our art curriculum through:
- Art clubs and after-school activities
- Visits to galleries and museums
- Visiting artists and workshops
- Whole-school art events and exhibitions
- Participation in local and national art competitions
- Display of pupils' work throughout the school, celebrating their achievements
Supporting Your Child's Artistic Development
Parents and carers can support their child's learning by:
- Encouraging creative activities at home
- Visiting local galleries and exhibitions together
- Discussing artwork and asking open-ended questions about what they see
- Providing opportunities for drawing, painting, and making
- Celebrating their child's artistic efforts and creativity
We are very proud that some of our Eco Warriors at Leopold Primary School have had their artwork featured in the Brent Council Community Artworks project. Their designs were created as part of the Green Corridor theme and selected alongside work from other local schools.
Click below to explore their amazing artwork.