🎨 "Every artist was at first an amateur."

— Ralph Waldo Emerson

🖌️ Art at High Halden Primary School

Art is a vital part of our broad and balanced curriculum. At High Halden Primary School, we believe that Art gives children the chance to express their unique thoughts, interests and ideas. It’s a subject that embodies creativity and encourages students to experiment, invent and create their own works of art.

Our aim is to engage, inspire and challenge pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills they need to become confident young artists.

✍️ Our Approach to Art

We structure our art curriculum around two key strands:

• 🧑‍🎨 Making Art: Pupils explore different media and styles to create their own original pieces.

• 🖼️ Understanding Art: Pupils are introduced to significant works of art to deepen their knowledge of history and the world around them.

🧒 Early Years Foundation Stage (Reception)

Children begin their art journey by:

• 🎨 Learning colour mixing and exploring artistic techniques.

• 🖌️ Studying famous artists like Mondrian, Miro and Pissaro as well as discussing how art is made.

• 🧵 Using a wide range of materials, making independent choices to suit their creative purpose.

• 🌈 Developing an understanding of tints, shades, architecture and sculpture, exploring both 2D and 3D forms.

👧👦 Key Stage 1 (Years 1 & 2)

In these formative years, pupils:

• 🧠 Learn art vocabulary – line, shape, colour, texture and detail.

• 🖼️ Explore different genres of painting, especially portraits and self-portraits.

• 🎨 Create their own works while learning to describe and respond to art.

• 👩‍🎨 Study artists such as Arcimboldo , Cimmermann, Van Gogh and Klee, helping them to connect personally and creatively with great artworks.

🧑‍🏫 Key Stage 2 (Years 3–6)

As pupils progress, their artistic understanding and skills grow:

• 💡 New concepts such as light, space, and design are introduced.

• 🧩 Pupils develop the ability to “read” and interpret a piece of art.

• 🖌️ They refine their own work by applying techniques used by William Morris, Kahlo, O'Keefe and Turner.

• 🏛️ Pupils gain a deeper understanding of art’s role in culture, design and personal expression.

🌟 Inspiring Creativity at Every Stage

Art at High Halden is more than just drawing and painting — it’s about developing creativity, confidence and cultural awareness. Through a carefully planned curriculum and exposure to a wide range of artists, our pupils are inspired to explore the world around them and find their own voice through art.