Intent 

At Hatfield Wick School, our Art, Design & Technology curriculum is ambitious, inclusive and culturally responsive. It provides students with rich, meaningful experiences across a wide range of artistic disciplines, materials and techniques, enabling them to develop technical skill, creativity, confidence and personal expression. Carefully sequenced learning ensures that students progressively build knowledge and understanding in drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, design processes and mixed media, with regular opportunities to revisit and refine key concepts such as pattern, form, structure, symbolism and texture. 

Students are supported to explore, generate and develop ideas through structured use of sketchbooks and practical design processes, enabling them to think creatively, take risks and reflect on their learning over time. The curriculum is enriched through purposeful exposure to a diverse range of artists, designers, architects and makers from different cultures, historical periods and lived experiences. This enables students to understand how art and design reflect place, belief, identity, power and social context, while building strong visual literacy and an appreciation of creativity as a universal human endeavour. 

Through this curriculum, students are explicitly supported to understand and engage with British values, including individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs within our cross-curricular approach. By studying artistic traditions from across the world and celebrating diversity in creative expression, students develop respect for different cultures, challenge stereotypes and recognise the value of difference. Discussion, critique and collaborative making encourage students to listen to others, articulate viewpoints respectfully and appreciate multiple perspectives. 

The Art, Design & Technology curriculum is firmly rooted in Hatfield Wick’s CARES values of Compassion, Autonomy, Respect, Empathy and Support. Students are encouraged to express ideas and emotions with empathy and compassion, responding thoughtfully to the work of others and to artistic themes drawn from personal experience, history and the wider world. Autonomy is fostered through open-ended outcomes and choice-led projects, empowering students to make meaningful decisions about materials, processes and intent. Respectful dialogue and appreciation of diverse artistic traditions are embedded throughout all units of work. 

Inclusive, trauma-informed teaching approaches ensure that all students — including those with SEND or SEMH needs — can access learning, experience success and develop a strong sense of identity as confident, capable artists and designers. Clear routines, high-quality modelling, adaptive resources and supportive relationships enable students to engage safely, build resilience and take pride in their creative achievements. 

Implementation 

KS2 & KS3

Our creative curriculum equips pupils with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design.  

Pupils can use practical skills, their own creativity and imagination, to design and make products that solve real world problems. Pupils are taught in specialist art workshops to create a calm environment whilst allowing creative freedom! 

AQA Awards can be achieved in Art, Design & Technology. 

Art, Design & Technology covers the national curriculum aims and content. Art, Design & Technology is taught at least once per week. However, Art, Design & Technology can also be covered through our cross-curricular approach. 

KS4

Currently, we do not offer qualifications at Key Stage 4. However, considerations, depending on our cohorts in the future, would be accepted. AQA GCSE Art & Design: Fine Art and AQA GCSE Art & Design: Photography are two we would love to offer as we continue to grow.