The visual arts play an important part of life at Bessemer. The school is committed to ensuring the high-quality teaching of Art and Design Technology. Art and DT across the key stages, follows a rich spiral curriculum, which explores the work of artists and designers and teaches a progression of skills in a range of media.

Bessemer aims to enable children to flourish creatively, to have the skills and confidence to explore ideas using a range of medium and to have the vocabulary to discuss and give opinions about the work of others. By the time they leave Bessemer, we hope each pupil feels able to express their creativity and know the enjoyment of designing and making.

The Curriculum

Across the key stages, children get the opportunity to practice different techniques, including drawing, painting, clay 3D modelling, and textiles, such as sewing, batik, and printing.

Often, these activities are purposefully linked to each year groups' termly topics - exploring artists and craftspeople with a historical, cultural, and global perspective. We follow our Skills Progression Grid (available below), to ensure that each area of study is explored in greater depth, and key skills are built upon as children progress through the school.

Art and Design

Each academic year begins with a themed Art Week. Previous years have included themes such as identity, portraits, nature, still life, and landscape, which are explored through the work of individual artists. The children create both an independent, and collaborative piece of art. The work is displayed around the school, which parents are invited to view at tutorial day.

Each half term, art lessons in class cover the skills and techniques outlined in the Skills and Progression Grid. In addition, the children have the opportunity to experience art workshops through our partnership with Dulwich Art Gallery, and other outside providers.

All children in Key Stage 1 and 2 begin the academic year with a sketchbook: a place to reflect, comment, and record ideas; practice techniques, and collect visual information to support their own art work. Children are given the terminology and confidence to talk about artworks and the technique used, and are encouraged to express their own opinions and preferences about them.

On Friday afternoon the children can choose art as one of their golden time activities. If they are unsure what to do they may be given ideas otherwise they are free to experiment with a range of media. 

Art in Early Years

In the Early Years, children are introduced to a wide variety of art materials and techniques. They experiment with colour mixing, printing, collage, drawing and painting using different tools such as brushes, rollers, sponges, and natural objects. They explore clay, fabric, paper mâché, and other media to develop texture, pattern, and form. Creative activities, such as making stick puppets, weaving with paper, and observational drawings, help children to build control and confidence. They are encouraged to share their creations, talk about the processes they used, and adapt their work. Art in Reception supports children in expressing their ideas and imagination through play and creative exploration.

Year 1

In Year 1, children begin to explore art in a more structured way. They record and develop ideas from observation, imagination, and experience, using sketchbooks to collect and reflect on their work. They investigate the similarities and differences in the work of artists, craftspeople, and designers, and begin to experiment with painting, drawing, printing, and sculpture. Pupils learn to mix secondary colours, explore texture, use a range of drawing materials, and manipulate clay. They review their own work and that of others, making simple annotations and considering improvements. Art in Year 1 focuses on developing creativity, confidence, and technical skills.

Year 2

In Year 2, children further develop their artistic skills and begin working with greater independence. They use sketchbooks to refine and extend ideas, drawing from observation and imagination. Pupils experiment with line, shape, pattern, and colour, exploring techniques such as layering media, mixing paints, and using different printing methods. They work with textiles, collage, and mixed media to create textured artworks and begin to explore artists from a range of times and cultures. Pupils also develop the language to describe and evaluate their own work, making thoughtful comparisons with the work of others.

Year 3

In Year 3, children extend their artistic skills through projects linked to history, geography, and culture. They explore colour mixing with increasing accuracy, learning to use tints, tones, and shades to create atmosphere and effect. Pupils experiment with collage, painting, printing, and textiles, developing skills in layering, overlapping, and cutting. Drawing becomes more detailed, incorporating perspective and shading, while 3D work includes clay modelling inspired by Egyptian art. Sketchbooks are used to record ideas, refine techniques, and evaluate outcomes, encouraging independence and creative reflection.

Year 4

In Year 4, pupils refine their skills across drawing, painting, printing, and collage. They create marbled prints, explore overprinting, and experiment with repeating patterns, while in painting they focus on expressive use of colour and texture. Drawing develops through sustained observation and the use of shading, detail, and perspective. Pupils also work with clay to explore form and space, inspired by Roman sculpture and pottery. Textiles projects link to climate change themes, where children learn new techniques and refine their use of materials. Sketchbooks are used more systematically to record, evaluate, and adapt ideas, building confidence and independence.

Year 5

In Year 5, pupils work with increased independence, using sketchbooks to plan, test media, and refine ideas. They study artists such as William Morris, Monet, and Frida Kahlo, and apply these influences to their own work. Painting projects focus on controlling brushwork, layering tints and shades, and creating expressive outcomes. Printmaking is extended through relief, monoprint, and resist techniques, while drawing develops further with perspective and detailed observation. Pupils also explore textiles, experimenting with batik, tie dye, embroidery, and mixed techniques to create layered and imaginative work.

Year 6

By Year 6, pupils demonstrate maturity and independence in their artistic work. They plan and develop projects inspired by a range of cultures, from Ancient Greece and Japan to the Mayans. They refine advanced drawing techniques such as chiaroscuro, composition planning, and negative space, and apply these to large-scale paintings and studies. Printing projects include layered and fabric printing, while 3D work involves clay sculpture and modelling. Pupils also develop skills in textiles, creating costumes and set designs for performance. Sketchbooks are used rigorously to annotate, reflect, and evaluate, supporting thoughtful and expressive outcomes.

The Big Draw

Last year's Big Draw theme was "Drawing with Senses". In our classes, we all listened to different songs with different tempos, dynamics, pitches, melodies, rhythms, and timbre. We listened carefully and thought about what colours, shapes and movements we could hear. We then used a variety of mediums to express ourselves freely using the music as inspiration. Here are some of the pieces we produced!