Please click here for our CARLISLE INFANT SCHOOL ART AND DESIGN PROGRESSION MAP 

At Carlisle Infant school expressive art and design is one of the seven areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage and is used to develop a child's imagination, creativity and their ability to use media and materials. Children do this in a range of ways including singing songs and making music, dancing, playing with colours, textures and design. As the children progress into KS1, they are encouraged to develop their skills alongside the national curriculum skills whilst ensuring the Carlisle creative ethos is sustained.

Within the indoor and outdoor classroom children are encouraged to experiment with mark making, texture and form using a range of material including ‘Messy play’ in Reception and the Active learn zones. Children are encouraged to talk about their art and give reasons for why they chose different colours and mediums. This has a beneficial impact on their literacy, thus in addition, improving their speaking and listening skills. Using a variety of materials develops pupils’ confidence as well as their fine motor co-ordination.

One of our key aims at Carlisle Infant school is that all children enjoy and succeed in art. Children are encouraged to draw from life, frequently observing tone and form of natural objects. We have a large amount of outdoor space which is excellent for providing the children with lots of subject matter and inspiration, from building outdoor sculptures with natural resources to water colour painting from observation in their sketchbook during the summer term. From Early years and through KS1, children learn about different artists from abstract and modern artists, the Renaissance period and Realism. They are encouraged to say what they like and dislike about another artists' work and later on discuss why it may have become popular at that time, thus making cross educational links with history. It is paramount that all children feel like an artist in their approach to art, and we aim to teach the skills and confidence to ensure all children have a positive ‘can do’ approach to art.