Art and Design

Imagining and creating through the eyes of an artist.

At Hawthorne Primary and Nursery School, we believe that Art and Design is a powerful way for children to express their thoughts, emotions, and creativity. We aim to equip children with the confidence to express themselves visually, embrace cultural diversity, and develop a lifelong appreciation for the arts.

Our curriculum nurtures imagination, encouraging children to explore a variety of techniques, materials, and processes, including drawing, painting, sculpture, and mixed media. Through experimentation with colour, texture, and form, pupils develop their skills and confidence in artistic expression.

Art and Design at Hawthorne is more than just a subject, it is a means of communication. We inspire our children to use visual language to convey ideas and emotions, helping them to see the world from different perspectives. By studying the work of artists, designers, and craftspeople from different cultures and periods, children gain a deeper appreciation for art’s role in society and history.

Our approach not only fosters creativity but also strengthens essential life skills such as perseverance, problem-solving, and teamwork. Whether working independently or collaboratively, pupils learn to reflect on their work and that of others, making thoughtful and informed artistic choices.

Our curriculum principles are embedded throughout our Art and Design curriculum.

R - Rich Vocabulary

E – Experiential

A – Aspiration

L – Life Skills

Rich Vocabulary

At Hawthorne Primary and Nursery School, rich vocabulary is embedded throughout our Art curriculum, ensuring children develop the language to think, discuss, and create like real artists:

• Pre- planned vocabulary
• Specific vocabulary relating to art skills / techniques
• Evident in each lesson e.g. on the learning slip,
• Knowledge organiser with focus on vocabulary  
• Applying vocabulary through written work e.g. annotations and through oral discussion in lessons
• Vocabulary is used through discussions, 'as an Artist'

Experiential

At Hawthorne Primary and Nursery School, we embrace an experiential approach to Art, immersing children in the creative process as if they were real-life artists:

• Use of the art room as though children are real life artists
• Specific year groups have been to exhibitions and art galleries
• Hawthorne create their own art gallery to showcase their work
• A range of mediums have been carefully plotted out through LTP so a breadth of mediums are being taught

Aspiration

At Hawthorne Primary and Nursery School, we foster aspiration in Art by exposing children to a diverse range of real-life artists who inspire creativity and ambition. They explore the impact of Art on the world and see the possibilities for their own artistic futures.

• The children are exposed to real life artists which encourages passion in art
• Artists have been selected and plotted out so there is wide breadth of artists being covered e.g. past and present, ethnicities, gender, culture
• Artists have also been chosen to expose children to different types of artists e.g. Sculptors- Hepworth,  Photographers - Goldstein, Designers – Paul Smith, Painters – Jackson Pollock

Life Skills

At Hawthorne Primary and Nursery School, Art nurtures lifelong learners by developing essential life skills such as observation, attention to detail, and emotional literacy. Through creative exploration, children learn to express emotions, solve problems, and make connections between Art and the world around them.

• Art allows children the opportunity to develop observations skills such; perspective, spatial awareness, supporting the children with 'paying attention to detail'
• Art allows children to develop and interpret a of range of different emotions which supports emotional literacy e.g. feel empathy, and to developing opinions.
• Stories can be told through Art and problem solving skills can begin to develop.
• Art enables children to see connections between art and the real world.

Art and Design Subject Map

Art and Design Curriculum End Point Poster

Hawthorne Art Gallery

Every year, during the Summer Term, we invite our families into school to visit our Hawthorne Art Gallery.