• For all children to be exposed to a diverse range of art and artists and for them to be able to express their feelings and own opinions about the creative work they explore, whilst learning cultural capital. 

• For children to understand their world by being able to choose and explore different artistic techniques and medium which enhance their personal creativity and imagination.  

• For children to have enriching opportunities ranging from gallery visits, art clubs, art competitions and workshops. 

To achieve this, in line with the National Curriculum, we have developed a progressive art and design curriculum which supports children in making cross-curricular links, learn about a diverse range of artists and offers opportunities for them to embed the skills they are learning. This includes regular retrieval practice — we purposefully revisit key artistic concepts (such as line, colour, texture, tone, shape, and space) to ensure that essential learning truly sticks in your child’s long-term memory. 

• Highly Inclusive Practice: We are deeply committed to adaptive teaching and actively remove barriers to learning, so that every individual child is supported to achieve a consistently strong standard of work. 

• Cultural Capital: From Early Years to Year 6, children study a diverse array of artists, designers, and craftspeople. From the abstract wonder of Paul Klee to the powerful sculptures of Henry Moore, we intentionally broaden  horizons.  

Fostering Holistic Development and Emotional Literacy 

• Championing Well-being: We recognise the link between creativity and mental health. For children who may need extra support, we offer targeted Art Intervention Groups run by our specialist teacher (who holds Level 3 CPD in Art Therapy). These sessions use art as a vehicle for emotional literacy, building confidence, and helping children safely manage and express their feelings.  

• Establishing Positive Routines: Through focused, hands-on artistic processes, children develop resilience, patience, and focus—reinforcing the positive routines and learning behaviours that benefit their attendance, engagement, and success across all subjects. 

Enriching Experiences Beyond the Classroom 

• Creative Arts Ambassadors: Children in UKS2 can apply for leadership roles as Arts Ambassadors. This fosters brilliant character building as they help run exhibitions, lead art competitions, and act as 'teaching assistants' in the studio. 

• Trips and Workshops: We actively fundraise to ensure all children have access to inspiring, hands-on experiences. This includes visits from professional artists and educational trips, including Watts Gallery in Compton. 

• Celebrating Success: We love to celebrate our children's hard work! Through whole-school framed art galleries, open afternoons for parents to view sketchbooks, and special 'Endeavour' and 'Outstanding Achievement' awards, we ensure every child's artistic voice is valued. 

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ART 

Opportunities to develop cultural experiences for our children are through Art Clubs, visiting professional artists who provide workshops for the children and a visit to ‘The Watts Gallery’ Surrey, to further develop that sense of awe and wonder that being immersed in art can offer.

Art Intervention Groups are established for children with social and emotional needs who might need to build self-esteem and confidence, for example. In liaison with the SENDCo, our specialist art teacher (accredited with Level 3 CPD in Art Therapy) gives allocated time to these weekly 1:1 and small group sessions, where children have opportunities to express themselves through art and craft-style activities. The artwork they produce may be designed to assist with the management of their emotions or may provide a means for children to express their feelings through art. As well as gaining artistic confidence, children benefit from developing an alternative tool to help express themselves creatively.

Our ‘Creative Arts Ambassadors’ (Art, Music and Drama) are selected each year via an application process from Upper Key Stage Two. Raising the profile of art across the school, their roles can include such things as creation of displays, designing and setting art competitions within the school, helping to prepare and run exhibitions of artworks, becoming ‘art teaching assistants’ alongside teachers in the classroom, organising and running fundraising events.

The Impact of Art at South Camberley 

 At South Camberley, our diverse and enriching curriculum ensures that children move on to secondary school equipped with an appreciation of various cultures, artistic styles and techniques and a greater cultural capital and reflective mind for art.

Curriculum Overview