Art

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Member of Staff

Mrs A. Fairclough: Curriculum Lead Art
Mr G. Knight: Teacher of Art & Design
Mrs H. Weldon: Art & Design Technician

Intent

At South Wigston High School, our inclusive Art and Design curriculum inspires creativity, imagination, and a lifelong appreciation for the visual arts. We align with the National Curriculum for Art & Design at KS3, ensuring that all learners develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to express themselves visually, think critically, and understand art’s place in history and culture.

Our curriculum provides opportunities for students to work with a broad range of media – including drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, digital design, photography, and graphic communication – and to respond to both visual and written stimuli. Through this, students learn to develop original ideas, refine techniques, and realise intentions with increasing independence.

We encourage exploration of both traditional and contemporary practices, enabling students to appreciate diverse cultures and perspectives. Research into historic and modern artists is embedded in every project, fostering cultural capital and artistic literacy.

Our curriculum is underpinned by the school’s core values:

Ambition: Students are encouraged to push creative boundaries by exploring new techniques and developing ambitious visual outcomes.

Determination: Learners are supported to persevere through the creative process, refining skills through practice, reflection, and constructive critique.

Respect: We value and discuss diverse artistic styles, cultural traditions, and viewpoints, fostering inclusive and respectful artistic communities.

Implementation

Art and Design is taught through a carefully sequenced and inclusive programme focused on four key Learning Foci (LFs):

• LF1: Develop visual literacy
• LF2: Refine work through experimentation
• LF3: Record ideas through drawing and other techniques
• LF4: Present a personal and meaningful outcome

These foci guide all teaching and assessment, ensuring that students build a secure foundation of technical skills, creative thinking, and contextual understanding.

Impact

By the end of KS3, students will have developed a broad skill set across artistic disciplines, the confidence to explore and experiment, and the ability to reflect critically on their own and others’ work.

By the end of KS4, students will:

• Produce personal and meaningful final outcomes, supported by thorough research and experimentation.
• Demonstrate technical skill in a chosen medium or specialism.
• Use the language of art confidently to evaluate and explain creative work.
• Show cultural awareness and an appreciation for art’s role in society.

Our approach develops ambitious, determined, and respectful learners who can thrive in further education or creative industries. Students leave with the creative resilience and cultural capital to engage with the arts for life – fulfilling our school vision of high aspiration, perseverance, and respect for all.

Key Stage 3 Progress Statements

ks3 art progress statements.pdf