Art and Design Curriculum Rationale

At Martock Primary School, we have carefully selected the Kapow Primary Art and Design curriculum to ensure that our pupils receive a high-quality, engaging, and well-sequenced art education from Reception through to Year 6. This curriculum aligns closely with the requirements of the National Curriculum for art and design, providing our pupils with the opportunity to develop a range of artistic skills, techniques, and knowledge.

The Kapow Primary curriculum is particularly well-suited to the needs of our pupils at Martock Primary School. The interactive and engaging nature of the lessons, coupled with the excellent scaffolding and resources provided, ensures that all of our pupils, including those with SEND, can access and succeed in the art and design curriculum. The comprehensive CPD, planning, and assessment tools offered by Kapow Primary also support our staff in delivering high-quality art and design lessons, addressing the inspection feedback regarding the need to develop staff subject knowledge and pedagogy.

Furthermore, the Kapow Primary curriculum is based on research into effective teaching and learning in art and design, providing our pupils with opportunities to develop their skills, knowledge, and understanding in a progressive and coherent manner. The curriculum is carefully sequenced, building on prior learning and ensuring that pupils can make connections across their art and design experiences, aligning with our school's improvement priorities around curriculum coherence and progression.

Whole School Aims

The art and design curriculum at Martock Primary School is closely aligned with our school's vision and values. Our belief in giving all staff and children the chance to flourish in a nurturing environment with excellent opportunities is reflected in the inclusive and aspirational nature of the Kapow Primary curriculum. Similarly, our core values of kindness, perseverance, respect, and collaboration are woven throughout the art and design lessons, as pupils are encouraged to work together, support one another, and develop a growth mindset in their artistic endeavours.

Subject Vision

At Martock Primary School, we believe that art and design is a vital component of a well-rounded education, providing our pupils with the opportunity to express themselves creatively, develop their artistic skills, and gain a deeper understanding of the world around them. Through the Kapow Primary art and design curriculum, we aim to inspire our pupils to explore their artistic potential, build their confidence, and cultivate a lifelong appreciation for the visual arts.

This aligns with our school's improvement priorities, particularly in relation to increasing pupil engagement and developing the independence of our SEND pupils. The Kapow Primary curriculum, with its focus on practical, hands-on learning and opportunities for pupil-led exploration, is well-suited to addressing these priorities and ensuring that all of our pupils can access and succeed in the art and design curriculum. The Kapow curriculum enhances our 'No Outsiders' agenda, giving the children opportunities to explore a wide and diverse range of artists. 

Communication with Stakeholders

To ensure the successful implementation of the Kapow Primary art and design curriculum, we will engage in clear and regular communication with all stakeholders, including parents, carers, and the local community. This will involve sharing our curriculum rationale and vision through a variety of channels, such as the school website, newsletters, and parent information sessions.

Addressing Inspection Feedback

The Kapow Primary art and design curriculum directly addresses the key areas for improvement identified in the most recent Ofsted inspection. By providing our staff with comprehensive CPD and resources, we will ensure that they have the subject knowledge and pedagogical skills necessary to deliver high-quality art and design lessons, particularly in the early years.

The progressive and well-sequenced nature of the Kapow Primary curriculum will also help to address the inspectors' concerns about the lack of clear progression in pupils' learning. By identifying the specific knowledge and skills that we want our pupils to develop, and carefully sequencing this content over time, we can ensure that our pupils are building on their prior learning and making steady progress in their artistic development.

Furthermore, the hands-on, practical nature of the Kapow Primary lessons, coupled with the opportunities for pupil-led exploration, will help to address the inspectors' concerns about the lack of opportunities for children to practice and explore new learning, particularly in the early years. By creating a stimulating and engaging art and design environment, we can foster our pupils' natural curiosity and support their independent learning.