At The Compass School, the intent of the Art curriculum is to provide a broad, balanced, and ambitious programme that enables all students to engage, achieve, and make progress regardless of their starting points. Through Art, we aim to provide a safe, supportive, and stimulating environment where students can explore their identity, and ideas, and experience a sense of achievement and pride in their work. 

The curriculum is carefully planned and sequenced to develop students’ knowledge, skills, and understanding in art, craft, and design. Students learn to work confidently with a wide range of media and techniques, including tonal and line drawing, painting, ceramics, printmaking, and sculpture. Technical skills are revisited and built upon over time to ensure secure learning and progression. 

Students are taught to evaluate and analyse artworks using appropriate subject-specific language, and are supported to discuss, reflect upon, and evaluate their own work. This approach builds confidence, communication skills, and critical thinking, while encouraging students to articulate ideas, opinions, and personal responses. 

The curriculum enhances students’ cultural knowledge through the study of significant artists, movements, and traditions, including William Morris and the Arts and Crafts Movement, Patrick Caulfield, the Pop Art movement, and African artwork. Links are made between visual art and different music cultures, supporting a wider understanding of creativity across cultures and time. 

At The Compass School, our curriculum enables students to develop independence, creativity, and self-belief, equipping them with skills and experiences that prepare them for further learning and life beyond school.