Art and Design & Technology (DT)

Art

At Sandfield, Art is a vital part of our curriculum, taught mainly as a dedicated subject, but also through meaningful cross-curricular links with other areas of learning. An Art unit is taught once each term.  We believe that Art and Design should inspire, challenge and empower pupils of all abilities. Children learn to experiment, invent and express themselves while developing a deep appreciation for visual culture. Engaging in Art supports pupils’ wellbeing and self-esteem by providing a joyful outlet for self-expression, encouraging individuality and fostering a sense of pride in their creative achievements.  Where possible, we visit local galleries and welcome visiting artists to enrich our curriculum. 

Our aims for all pupils: 

• ✏️ Create with confidence – Explore ideas and express experiences through a wide range of media and techniques and display through an online portfolio on our iPads. 

• 🎨 Master key skills – Skills are revisited from Years 1 to 6 to ensure children have a deeper understanding of concepts and techniques. Children develop proficiency in drawing, painting, sculpture and other forms of art, craft and design.  Sequences of lessons start with an exploration of the artist and movement, then move on to exploring techniques before creating and evaluating their final artwork. 

• 🖼️ Connect with culture – know about great artists, craft makers and designers, and understand the historical and cultural development of their art forms. 

Design & Technology (DT)

Design and Technology (DT) plays a vital role in developing children’s creativity, resilience and problem-solving skills.  A DT unit is taught once every term and shared in an online portfolio on our iPads using videos and photos.  Our younger children use voice recordings to evaluate their end products.  Through imaginative and purposeful projects, which often link to the current topic, pupils design and make products that respond to real-life challenges, considering a range of needs, values and user experiences.

DT draws on knowledge from across the curriculum – including maths, science, engineering, computing and art – giving children a rich and practical understanding of how things work. It encourages them to take risks, think critically and become resourceful, innovative and enterprising citizens of the future.

What DT looks like at Sandfield:

• Creative problem-solving – Pupils explore ideas, design solutions and make functional products with real-world relevance. They learn how to strengthen, stiffen, and reinforce structures and work with simple mechanical systems (e.g. levers, pulleys, gears) and electrical systems (e.g. circuits, switches) cooking and nutrition lessons teach essential life skills and healthy eating principles.
• Critical thinking – Children evaluate past and present design innovations and reflect on their impact on daily life and the wider world.

Useful website links for Art & DT: