Welcome to Art and Design Technology

We believe that every child should have the opportunity to express themselves, through creativity.  Art is a subject that can help us to understand and give meaning to the world in which we live- studying the work of others, exploring various mediums. Creating imitations and producing innovative pieces of artwork.   At Franklin, we have created an art curriculum that builds early skills with a range of media, including collage, sculpture, printing and painting in the Early Years and moves on to refining pupil's skills with paints, pastels, acrylics and chalk, as well as further work with 3D structures, fabrics and printing. 

As with other aspects of our curriculum, we believe in making sure that all children see themselves represented in the figures that they study so we have selected a diverse range of artists for children to study, ranging from the well known artists such as Da Vinci, Cezanne and Warhol to less celebrated artists from across the world such as Esther Mahlangu, Beatriz Milhazes, Yayoi Kusama and Stephen Wiltshire. Children are taught art each week by a specialist teacher in our purpose-built art studio. 

At Franklin, our Design and Technology curriculum prepares pupils to participate in tomorrow’s rapidly changing technologies. Through their learning, our pupils become autonomous and creative problem solvers, as individuals and members of a team, learning to think and intervene creatively to find solution.  

In an ever-changing world, fuelled by technology and innovation, we aim to empower our pupils to look for needs, wants and opportunities and respond to them by developing a range of ideas and making products and systems. They are challenged to solve real and relevant problems by combing practical skills with an understanding of aesthetics, social and environmental issues, function and sustainability. As they do so, they reflect on and evaluate present and past design technology, its uses and effects.

Children will develop their understanding of the visual language of art with effective teaching and carefully thought-out sequences of lessons and experiences- via school trips to galleries- which will enable them to understand the visual concepts of art and design (line, tone, texture, colour, pattern, shape, 3D form). Providing an accessible and engaging curriculum which will enable children to reach their full potential when producing final pieces. 

The art curriculum will also develop children’s critical abilities and understanding of their own and others’ cultural heritages through studying a diverse range of male and female artists and designers throughout history. Moreover, we support students to learn from others, including their peers – providing in class feedback and showcasing each other’s work during lessons, praising children, and encouraging their self-belief and can-do attitude.  

In the Early Years, children engage in the creation of open-ended products that enhance their imaginative play. This involves constructing items like castles and cars from large blocks and crates outdoors, as well as designing and crafting junk models using recyclable materials in designated workshop areas. To enhance scissor skills, children participate in cutting activities using paper and card. A dedicated workshop area forms part of the continuous provision, providing a space where children independently develop and practice various skills. Here, they work with diverse materials and receive instruction in fundamental techniques such as joining, folding, and the safe utilisation of basic tools.

To align with D&T Association recommended allocation for Design and Technology, our curriculum supports at least one D&T project is planned per term in each class within Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.  In these key stages, the design and technology curriculum is taught through the following strands: mechanisms, textiles, structures, electrical systems, cooking and nutrition. In these projects, children are actively encouraged to embrace innovation, resourcefulness, and autonomy in making design decisions.

All Reception subjects Next Reception Subject - Computing

All Year 1 subjects Next Year 1 Subject - Computing

All Year 2 subjects Next Year 2 Subject - Computing

All Year 3 subjects Next Year 3 Subject - Computing

All Year 4 subjects Next Year 4 Subject - Computing

All Year 5 subjects Next Year 5 Subject - Computing

All Year 6 subjects Next Year 6 Subject - Computing