The national curriculum for art and design aims to ensure that all children:

1. Produce creative work, exploring their ideas and recording their experiences
2. Become proficient in drawing, painting, sculpture and other art, craft and design techniques
3. Are able to evaluate and analyse creative works using the language of art, craft and design
4. Are knowledgeable about great artists, craft makers and designers and understand the historical and cultural development of their art forms.

Whitstable Junior School seeks to fulfil the requirements of the National Curriculum for Art and Design by providing a broad and balanced curriculum that is fully inclusive to every child. We aim to develop the children’s competence in controlling materials and tools, acquire knowledge and become proficient in various art and design techniques and processes, begin to develop an awareness of the visual and tactile elements including; colour, pattern and texture, line and tone, shape, form and space. We aim to foster enjoyment and appreciation of the visual arts and develop a knowledge of significant artists, craftspeople and designers. We also aim to increase critical awareness of the roles and purposes of art and design in different times and cultures, and analyse works using the language of art and design and develop a broader understanding of how it links to other subjects. We believe that high-quality Art lessons will inspire children to think innovatively and develop creative procedural understanding.

At Whitstable Junior School we will achieve this by

• Fostering an enjoyment and appreciation of the visual arts, by introducing pupils to a wide range of contemporary and historical artists and craftspeople.
• Linking art teaching to the topic for the term, or follow children’s interests, to ensure relevance and context.
• Re-teaching skills so that skills are revisited and honed, progressing in terms of depth and challenge, to build on the children’s previous learning.
• Ensuring the level of learning is appropriate for differing abilities, through clear differentiation and support, active and purposeful experiences, and using a variety of art materials and teaching strategies. 
• Encouraging children to evaluate their art and design work and that of others, alongside peers and adults.
• Celebrating effort, progress and achievement in art through displays, exhibitions and enrichment activities, such as visits to local art galleries, workshops and participation in competitions.

When children leave Whitstable Junior School we want them to know about a broad range of artists and craftspeople, having the knowledge to be able to evaluate and discuss the artworks they have encountered. It is hoped that the children will have learned, improved and embedded a range of artistic techniques and will know how to talk about them. We want children to feel confident to explore, experiment and take risks; placing value on both the process of creating art as well as the finished product thus ensuring that they have a life-long passion for art.