At HCFS, art is a vibrant thread woven through every year group, nurturing creativity, curiosity and cultural awareness from the earliest stages. Children explore a wide range of media, techniques and artistic traditions—drawing inspiration from historical figures, contemporary artists and global themes. From expressive mark-making in EYFS to conceptual installations and socially reflective pieces in UKS2, our curriculum encourages personal expression, critical thinking and emotional engagement. Art is not taught in isolation but embedded within interdisciplinary projects that connect to history and geography—enabling children to see the world through multiple lenses. We aim to cultivate confident young artists who can experiment, reflect and communicate ideas visually, while celebrating diversity, symbolism, and the power of creativity.
Children have regular opportunities to sketch throughout the year, building fluency and confidence in drawing as a tool for observation, imagination, and reflection. Sketchbooks are used as creative journals, capturing progress in proportion, shading, texture, and composition. There is clear progression both within individual projects and across year groups, with children refining techniques such as facial proportioning, tonal shading and perspective. Famous artists are studied in the context of their historical periods or geographical origins, allowing children to explore the symbolism and social messages embedded in their work. Through this, children develop not only technical skill but also a deeper understanding of art as a cultural and communicative force.