At Walkergate Community School, we all recognise the importance of art, craft and design as they embody some of the highest forms of human creativity. A high-quality art and design education should engage, inspire and challenge pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design.

Through the National Curriculum for Art, Walkergate Community School aims to ensure that all pupils:

• Learn about local artists and visit galleries to inspire and motivate their own unique way of representing art.
• Learn about an artist before researching their style and factors that have influenced their work.
• Practise a range of techniques relating to art concepts which will then lead onto creating their own artwork inspired by the artist.
• Evaluate and critique their own work and sometimes their peer’s artwork.
• Know how art and design both reflect and shape our history, and contribute to the culture, creativity and wealth of our nation.

To support a fully progressive art curriculum, the foundations for art, craft and design begin in Early Years Foundation Stage through planned substantive / disciplinary knowledge and key vocabulary development that dove-tails into National Curriculum expectations. Pupils are taught to use appropriate art equipment as they develop their drawing, painting, sculpture, printing and collage skills each year. Our art curriculum gives children the opportunity to express themselves creatively in a range of ways.