Kapow Art and design: Revised scheme

There will be some exciting changes to the Kapow Primary Art and design scheme of work in 2022. The new version has been rolled-out Since December 2021 and is accessible here: Revised Art and design scheme of work. Our original scheme has been archived but is still available, and the revised scheme has taken its place.

The revised scheme includes a revision and update of existing lessons as well as some brand-new lessons.

Coverage of the National curriculum attainment targets will remain unchanged, although there will be a new focus on using sketchbooks in lessons across all year groups. There will still be a focus on key skills, ensuring that children develop their techniques and confidence with various media. The progression of skills document will be updated to reflect all new content and will offer a clearer sequence of progression as children work through units within particular strands. Formal elements will still be taught but in a holistic way rather than being isolated into specific lessons.

The spiral approach to Art and design hasn’t changed; rather, it is enriched in the new units as children and teachers will gain a clearer sense of the sequence of learning. The organisation of lessons into core strands will enable children to activate prior learning more easily as they build on knowledge and skills gained in earlier units. Opportunities for learning about the work of artists through history and across the world will be increased, and children will still be scaffolded in the generation of ideas and the evaluation of their own work and that of their peers.

The November 2021 DfE guidance around ‘Teaching a broad and balanced curriculum for education recovery‘ gives schools a number of suggestions for how to prioritise elements of their Art and design curriculums. While the guidance is optional, there are some key recommendations that are supported by our revised scheme.

• ‘Securing depth and mastery of pupils’ practical knowledge’ is ensured by the sequential planning of each unit, with core knowledge built on in our spiral curriculum design.
• Ensuring ‘deliberate practice, reencountering the core knowledge in different contexts’ is a key part of each unit through both the use of sketchbooks and the greater emphasis on the children’s individual creative responses to their learning.
• The new scheme is divided into four strands that will provide greater clarity over progression, allowing teachers to feel confident that children are ‘developing mastery in the process of making rather than a performative final outcome’.

Drawing

Exploring mark-making in all its forms, experimenting with line, tone and texture and using a wide range of materials to express ideas as drawings. Using sketchbooks to record observations about the world as drawings. Learning how artists use drawing to develop and communicate their ideas creatively.

Painting and mixed-media

Developing proficiency in painting techniques (including exploring colour mixing), painting on various surfaces and applying drawing skills to painting projects. Using sketchbooks to practise painting methods and exploring the interplay between different media within a piece of artwork.

Sculpture and 3D

Constructing and creating models with a wide variety of materials, investigating ways to express ideas in three dimensions. Developing the ability to adapt ideas and designs in sketchbooks, moving from two dimensions into sculpture.

Craft and design

Producing a wide range of creative work, becoming proficient in a range of making processes. Building on photography, printmaking, textile art and digital media skills and exploring design disciplines such as architecture and product design.