This Art and design scheme of work video supports pupils as they experiment with two different ways of working with clay—relief and impressing, inspired by the sculpture of Rachel Whiteread. Whiteread’s artwork transforms empty spaces into solid forms, turning what’s usually hidden into something you can see and touch. In this lesson, children will create their own tile, practising how to build up and press into clay surfaces.

The video begins by modelling how to roll and flatten a ball of clay onto greaseproof paper, using a template to cut out a clean tile shape. Any leftover clay can be used to create extra shapes to add on. Children then decorate their tile in two ways: building in relief using the score and slip method to join shapes, and impressing patterns using tools or found objects. They’ll be encouraged to experiment and explore, by rolling, pressing and shaping with their hands to form circles, squares and triangles.

This video is part of Kapow Primary’s Year 2 Clay houses unit.

See more of our Year 2 Art and design scheme of work.

Art and design, Year 2, Sculpture and 3D: Clay houses, Lesson 3: Applying skills in clay.