At Langdale CE Primary School, we believe that art and design is not simply a subject—it is a vital part of our school identity and culture. From the very beginning of a child's journey in EYFS, art is embedded into daily life, with open access to tool and resource stations that invite creativity, curiosity, and expression. Our intent is to ensure that all children understand that art is a powerful means of communication and exploration, one that grows with them as they move through life. Art and design at Langdale nurtures not only technical skill and creative development, but also empathy, imagination, and individuality. We aim to give every child a voice through their artwork, encouraging them to express thoughts, tell stories, and engage with the world around them visually and meaningfully.

To bring this vision to life, we deliver a carefully sequenced and richly resourced curriculum from EYFS through to Year 6. Our approach balances freedom of expression with structured progression, allowing children to explore media, techniques, and disciplines while developing accuracy over time. In Oak Class, for example, children work with colour, shape, texture, and form, often linking art to other subjects such as science and maths. Storytelling becomes part of the creative process, whether through expressive self-portraits or narrative-driven illustrations. As children move into Key Stage 2, their understanding deepens through focussed skill development and greater exposure to diverse artistic styles and cultural influences. Adaptation ensures that all learners are supported and challenged whilst working toward shared learning outcomes in their own unique ways.

Our Learning Beyond the Classroom ethos elevates art and design at Langdale, offering children real-world experiences that enrich their understanding and appreciation of the subject. Children meet authors and illustrators, artists and designers, attend galleries and take part in hands-on workshops that demystify the creative industries. From working with local artists and exhibitions, these experiences bring art to life and help our children see themselves as artists and designers in their own right. Regular participation in competitions and exhibitions fosters confidence and pride in their work, while access to both local and national art inspires ambition. The impact is clear: our children view art not just as a school subject, but as a meaningful, joyful, and lifelong pursuit.

Roman mosaics are founded on curious and thought-provoking subject matter and this is just one area the children focused on in their creation of the Langdale Mosaic.

They spent time in our beautiful outdoors drawing upon the view before creating plans and ultimately a stunning collective mosaic.

The children in Maple concluded their learning about Victorian fashion by crafting their very own outfits. Some chose to attend an evening ball whilst others opted for an outfit more suited to a garden party. They used newspaper as a base and then built upon this using a range of materials.

At Langdale, we love to explore storytelling within art. As well as building our own skills, we seek out opportunities to explore the work of local (and international!) artists. Here we joined one of our local churches in visiting their 'Feeding the 5000' installation. 

Langdale children love to explore artists from all around the world. They found themselves fascinated by the materials, themes and styles featured in Ancient Maya art pieces and artifacts. They took this interest, began to research before creating wonderfully successful Ancient Maya instruments harnessing the style and features they had discovered.

Through our relationship with local secondary schools, Maple class ventured to the Lakes School's Art department. The children created their own bowls using clay and then set about decorating them in an Indigenous Australian style. They were keen to incorporate the theme of a 'Journey' and see their piece of art as a storytelling device. Careful consideration was given to the use of tools whilst constructing and shades of colour when painting.

As one of their projects, Maple researched, designed, made and evaluated Stone Age structures. It is wonderful to see the children choosing great materials and tools to create the best they can.

Langdale children explored modern art at the local Merz Barn gallery and then created their own. The children also put their watercolour paintings of the valley up on display.