Art and Design

At Tetsworth Primary School, we provide an ambitious and inclusive Art & Design curriculum that inspires creativity, curiosity, and confidence in every child. We want our pupils to see themselves as artists — able to think critically, experiment boldly, and express their ideas through a range of artistic media.

As a mixed-aged school, our teaching follows a stage-not-age approach. This means learning is carefully adapted so that all pupils, regardless of their chronological age, can access the curriculum at the right level for their development. Every child is supported and challenged to reach their full potential.

We use the Cornerstones scheme to provide structure, depth, and progression across the school. This ensures that our curriculum not only meets but goes beyond the national curriculum objectives for Art & Design. Our intent is for every pupil to leave Tetsworth Primary School as a confident, creative, and reflective artist, ready for the next stage of their education.

At Tetsworth Primary School, our Art & Design curriculum is delivered through the Cornerstones scheme, which provides a rich and well-sequenced framework for learning. Each project is carefully planned to build on previous knowledge and skills, allowing children to explore, create, and evaluate their work in a meaningful way.

Because we are a mixed-aged school, we design our lessons so pupils learn together through shared themes, while achieving outcomes matched to their stage of learning. This stage-not-age approach ensures that all children — including those with SEND or who are disadvantaged — access ambitious, high-quality learning experiences.

Teachers skilfully adapt and scaffold lessons, promoting creativity, independence, and self-reflection. Pupils study a wide range of artists, designers, and craftspeople from different cultures and time periods, helping them to develop cultural understanding and an appreciation of the arts. Sketchbooks are used across the school to record ideas, experiment with techniques, and reflect on artistic development over time.

The impact of our ambitious Art & Design curriculum at Tetsworth Primary School is evident in the confidence, imagination, and skill shown by our pupils. Children make strong progress from their individual starting points, producing high-quality work that demonstrates both creativity and technical understanding.

Pupils talk confidently about their learning, use artistic vocabulary accurately, and take pride in their achievements. They develop resilience and curiosity, learning to evaluate and refine their work as they progress through each stage.

By delivering Art & Design through a stage-not-age approach, we ensure that every pupil experiences success, regardless of age or ability. Our children leave Tetsworth Primary School as confident, creative, and reflective artists — equipped with the knowledge, skills, and passion to continue their artistic journey into the next phase of education and beyond.