Art at Eagley Infant School

At Eagley Infant School, our Art curriculum is designed to nurture creativity, curiosity, and confidence in every child. We believe that all children are artists and that Art offers a powerful way for them to express ideas, explore emotions, and make sense of the world around them.

Our intent is to give children rich, meaningful experiences with a wide range of materials so they can develop as imaginative, skilled, and reflective artists. Through engaging, hands-on learning, we aim to help pupils:

• Explore and experiment with colour, pattern, texture, line, shape, form, and space.
• Develop fine-motor skills and increasing control over a variety of tools and media.
• Talk about art confidently, using age-appropriate vocabulary to describe what they see and how it makes them feel.
• Learn about significant artists, designers, and craft makers, including those from diverse cultures and those linked to our local area of Bolton.
• Express their own ideas, experiences, and personal identity through drawing, painting, sculpture, and mixed media.
• Notice and appreciate art in the world around them, including in nature, buildings, local landmarks, and community spaces.

Ultimately, our intent is to ensure that all children develop a love of Art, celebrating creativity, individuality, and imagination. We want them to leave Eagley Infant School feeling proud of what they can create and confident in their ability to explore, take risks, and solve problems visually.

In the Early Years (Nursery & Reception)

Art is embedded within Expressive Arts and Design, where children learn through exploration, sensory experiences, and imaginative play.

Children have daily opportunities to:

• Explore different materials and textures (paints, clay, collage materials, chalks, natural objects).
• Develop mark-making into purposeful drawing and painting.
• Learn about colour mixing and simple artistic techniques.
• Talk about their creations and what they represent.
• Respond to artwork, illustrations in books, and patterns in the environment.

Teachers provide open-ended, child-led experiences that encourage creativity, as well as focused adult-led sessions introducing specific skills such as cutting, brushing, moulding, and joining.

In Key Stage 1 (Years 1 & 2)

Art is taught through engaging, creative topics that connect with learning across the curriculum. Each unit builds on EYFS foundations by developing children’s knowledge, artistic vocabulary, and technical skills.

Children will:

• Experiment with a wide range of tools and materials such as pastels, watercolours, charcoal, clay, textiles, printing tools, and digital art.
• Study significant artists and local creatives (e.g., L. S. Lowry; local textile and mill-inspired art reflecting Bolton’s heritage).
• Learn to observe carefully, using sketching and simple recording skills.
• Build understanding of artistic techniques such as shading, colour blending, making patterns, printing, and constructing simple 3D forms.
• Reflect on and evaluate their own work and the work of others using appropriate vocabulary.