Burnley Road Academy

At Burnley Road Academy, we believe that Art and Design plays a vital role in delivering a broad, balanced, and enriching curriculum. Art contributes significantly to pupils’ personal development, wellbeing, and cultural capital, while also supporting our academy values of courage, perseverance, compassion, and teamwork.

Our Art and Design curriculum aims to develop children’s creativity by inspiring and equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to explore ideas, express themselves, and record their experiences. As pupils progress, they become increasingly confident in using a range of techniques, including drawing, painting, sculpture, and craft-based skills.

Through engaging with the work of diverse artists, designers, and craft makers from various cultures and historical periods, pupils gain an understanding of how art has influenced history, culture, and the landscape. They also learn to reflect critically on their own work and that of others, using appropriate artistic vocabulary.

Art at Burnley Road Academy promotes:

• Courage and perseverance – as pupils take risks, embrace challenges, and refine their creative abilities.
• Teamwork – through collaboration in shared projects and displays.
• Compassion – by learning to appreciate and evaluate the creative work of peers with kindness and empathy.
• Role models – through study of a diverse range of artists, enabling children to see themselves reflected in the creative world.

High-quality art education supports children to think creatively, explore confidently, and engage reflectively with the world around them.

Implementation

• The curriculum follows a progression of skills and knowledge from EYFS to Year 6.
• Teachers use a long-term plan and skills progression map to guide each unit, ensuring prior learning is revisited and built upon.
• Cross-curricular links are made where appropriate.
• Planning is supported by Grammarsaurus, and other curated resources.
• Lessons include:
  • Skills development
  • Creative exploration
  • Artist studies
  • Opportunities for reflection and evaluation

Sketchbooks

• Used from Year 1 onwards to record experimentation and idea development.

Differentiation

• Teachers assess regularly (formally and informally) and differentiate appropriately.
• High achievers are challenged further.
• Lower achievers are supported through scaffolding and structured tasks.

SEND

• Adjustments are made for pupils with SEND through:
  • IEPs
  • Behaviour plans
  • RAPS
  • Individual teacher planning

Assessment and Monitoring

• Teachers assess pupils’ progress after each unit using Arbor, linked to National Curriculum objectives.
• Formative assessment occurs through observation, questioning, pupil dialogue and cumulative quizzes.
• Monitoring is carried out by the subject leader through:
  • Work scrutiny
  • Learning walks
  • Pupil voice
  • Display audits

Art and Design is showcased through:

• Displays around school
• The school website and social media
• Photographic evidence of work and exhibitions

Impact is measured through:

• Termly assessments via Arbor
• Subject leader moderation and review
• Pupil interviews and staff feedback
• Lesson observations and work scrutiny

Outcomes:

• Pupils leave KS2 in line with or exceeding national expectations.
• They demonstrate:
  • Confidence in creativity and evaluation
  • Inquisitiveness about the world around them
  • Knowledge of artistic vocabulary and techniques
  • Perseverance in refining their work

‘It is the essential knowledge that pupils need to be educated citizens, introducing them to the best that has been thought and said and helping to engender an appreciation of human creativity and achievement.’

Ofsted School Inspection Handbook 2019

We deliver engaging and inclusive art lessons that inspire creativity and foster an appreciation of diverse cultures through artistic expression. Our curriculum includes a variety of themed art experiences designed to develop pupils' practical skills and broaden their cultural awareness, equipping them with valuable tools for the wider world.

We actively seek opportunities within the local community to enrich our art provision. In addition, we host workshops where local artists collaborate with our pupils, offering authentic, hands-on experiences.

Our art curriculum explores the work of both male and female artists from a wide range of cultures and historical periods, ensuring that children receive a well-rounded and immersive arts education.