A roadmap for mixed-age Art and design skills and knowledge

This printable PDF document outlines the progression of art skills and knowledge over a two-year cycle from Year 1/2 to Year 5/6, showing how it aligns with the National curriculum.

Designed for primary teachers seeking an engaging mixed-age Art and design scheme of work, this progression document supports the delivery of a comprehensive and cohesive curriculum. 

How can I use this document to plan my Art and design curriculum?

Kapow Primary’s mixed-age Art and design scheme follows a structured spiral curriculum.

This document is designed to support subject leaders and teachers by outlining the progression of skills across mixed-age groups in KS1 and KS2 and by indicating which lessons support that progression.

Use it during your planning process to ensure that learning builds year on year, with clear guidance on which lessons to focus on at each stage.

How do Art and design skills and knowledge develop at Kapow Primary?

The document outlines the development of Art and design knowledge across mixed-age groups, ensuring a clear pathway for pupil learning. Progression is broken down into the following key areas:

• Generating ideas – encouraging autonomy; developing creativity; generating original ideas through experimentation.
• Making skills – becoming familiar with the formal elements of art; developing practical knowledge of a variety of media and materials; exploring and testing out different creative methods, tools and techniques.
• Evaluating and analysing – discussing art using appropriate language to analyse a creative work; considering how art is studied, discussed and judged; examining what art is and why people make it.
• Knowledge of artists – exploring traditional and contemporary artists, craft-makers and designers from diverse communities; studying the materials, processes and meanings of these artists.
• Using sketchbooks – documenting and trying out different ideas and media; evaluating and evolving the children’s artwork.

What other resources support primary Art and design teaching?

• For the mixed-age Art and design scheme, see the corresponding Long-term plan – mixed-age.
• If you follow the Long-term plan – condensed, see the corresponding Progression of skills and knowledge – condensed.
• If you subscribe to both subjects and follow the alternating Art and D&T long-term plan, see the corresponding Art and D&T: Progression of skills and knowledge.
• Discover how children begin their creative journey with our EYFS (Reception) Art and design units. 
• For further information on the Y1/2, Y3/4 and Y5/6 Cycle A and Cycle B units, see Art and design – mixed age.