NSEAD's Parallel Curriculum is available here. With helpful pull-out tabs this curriculum provides an essential framework and information for the planning and implementation of a fit for purpose, 21-century art and design curriculum.
DfE Purpose of study
Art, craft and design embody some of the highest forms of human creativity. A high-quality art and design education should engage, inspire and challenge pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment invent and create their own works of art, craft and design. As pupils progress, they should be able to think critically and develop a more rigorous understanding of art and design. They should also know how art and design both reflect and shape our history, and contribute to the culture, creativity and wealth of our nation.
DfE Aims
The national curriculum for art and design aims to ensure that all pupils:
- produce creative work, exploring their ideas and recording their experiences
- become proficient in drawing, painting, sculpture and other art, craft and design techniques
- evaluate and analyze creative works using the language of art, craft and design
- know about great artists, craft makers and designers, and understand the historical and cultural development of their art forms
Attainment Targets
By the end of each key stage pupils are expected to know, apply and understand the matters, skills and processes specified in the relevant programme of study.
Subject Content
DfE Key Stage 1
Pupils should be taught:
- to use a range of materials creatively to design and make products
- to use drawing, painting and sculpture to develop and share their ideas, experiences and imagination
- to develop a wide range of art, and design techniques in using colour, pattern, texture, line, shape, form and space
- about the work of a range of artists, craft makers, architects and designers, describing the differences and similarities between different practices and disciplines, and making links to their own work.
DfE Key Stage 2
Pupils should be taught to develop their techniques, including their control and their use of materials, with creativity, experimentation and an increasing awareness of different kinds of art, craft and design.
Pupils should be taught:
- to create sketch books to record their observations and use them to review and revisit ideas
- to improve their mastery of art and design techniques, including drawing, painting and sculpture with a range of materials (e.g. pencil, charcoal, paint, clay)
- about great artists, architects and designers in history.
DfE Key Stage 3
Pupils should be taught to develop their creativity and ideas, and increase proficiency in their execution. They should develop a critical understanding of artists, architects, and designers, expressing reasoned judgments that can inform their own work.
Pupils should be taught:
- to use a range of techniques to record their observations in sketchbooks, journals and other media as a basis for exploring their ideas
- to use a range of techniques and media, including painting
- to increase their proficiency in the handling of different materials
- to analyze and evaluate their own work, and that of others, in order to strengthen the visual impact or applications of their work
- about the history of art, craft, design, film and architecture, including periods, styles and major movements from ancient times up to the present day.