We are Artists

Intent:
At Clapham & Patching, we believe that every child is an artist with something unique to say. Through Art and Design, we want our children to feel confident expressing themselves, exploring their ideas, and enjoying the freedom to be creative. We aim to open their eyes to the world around them, helping them to notice beauty, patterns, colour, and meaning in everyday life. We also want them to learn about a wide range of artists and cultures, and to understand that art is a powerful way of telling stories, sharing emotions, and celebrating different perspectives.

Implementation:
Art is carefully woven through our curriculum, with each year building on what’s came before – from early mark-making and colour mixing to more complex techniques like printmaking, sculpture, and mixed media. Children use sketchbooks to explore ideas, practise skills, and reflect on their progress in a way that feels personal to them and reflects our unique context. Our lessons are practical, engaging, and hands-on – giving children the time and space to experiment and develop their own style. We also bring art to life with trips, local projects, and opportunities to work with real artists whenever we can.

Impact:
Our children leave each stage of school with a real sense of pride in what they’ve created and consider themselves artists. They learn that making mistakes is part of being creative, and that their ideas matter. We see children grow in confidence, not just in their artistic ability, but in how they think, solve problems, and respond to the world around them. Their artwork is full of imagination, personality, and thought – and, most importantly, they enjoy the process. Art at our school helps children to express who they are and to value the creativity in themselves and others.