Intent 

At Haddenham St Mary’s we recognise the importance of Art and Design & Technology (DT) in developing creativity, imagination, and problem-solving from an early age. Our curriculum aims to:

• Nurture creativity and self-expression through a variety of engaging artistic and practical experiences.
• Equip pupils with foundational skills in drawing, painting, constructing, and designing that encourage confidence and independence.
• Introduce pupils to a range of artists, materials, and techniques to develop cultural appreciation and awareness.
• Embed opportunities for outdoor, experiential learning through our Forest School sessions.
• Make purposeful links between creativity and the wider world, including nature, community, and everyday life.

Our aim is to ensure that by the end of Key Stage 1, children have developed the confidence to explore, create, and evaluate in a safe and stimulating environment.

Implementation 

Art and DT are taught using the Twinkl scheme of planning, which ensures a coherent and progressive approach to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Key Stage 1.

Art

• Children develop early mastery of the formal elements of art (line, shape, colour, texture, etc.) through exploration and guided activities.
• Sketchbooks are introduced to encourage mark-making, experimenting, and reflection.
• Artistic skills are taught both discretely and through cross-curricular topics (e.g., seasonal changes, stories, local community).
• Pupils learn about well-known and diverse artists appropriate to their developmental stage, promoting appreciation and inspiration.

Design and Technology

• The Twinkl planning supports DT through focused projects on construction, food, materials, and mechanisms.
• Children learn to design, make, and evaluate in hands-on, meaningful contexts.
• Real-life links are established (e.g., building a shelter, making a fruit salad) to show how design solves everyday problems.
• Safe use of simple tools and materials is modelled and reinforced.

Forest School Integration

• Forest School sessions provide valuable opportunities for outdoor creativity and design.
• Pupils engage in natural art (e.g., using leaves, clay, or sticks), collaborative building, and practical problem-solving.
• These sessions reinforce objectives from the Twinkl scheme in a sensory, child-led way that enhances curiosity and connection to the natural world.

Teachers are supported with regular training and resources to ensure high-quality delivery and confidence in assessment.

By the end of Year 2, pupils will:

• Show enthusiasm for exploring materials, tools, and ideas independently and collaboratively.
• Demonstrate age-appropriate control, creativity, and critical thinking in their artwork and design projects.
• Use vocabulary to talk about techniques, tools, and their outcomes.
• Reflect on and improve their creations with increasing confidence.
• Understand that art and design are valuable forms of communication and problem-solving, both in and out of the classroom.

Assessment is ongoing through observation, discussions, and completed work. Children’s learning is evidenced through year group floor books, photographs, display work, and teacher-led evaluation. Forest School observations also contribute to assessing creative development and application of DT and art skills in context.