Art is a vibrant and valued part of life at The Old School Henstead. From Reception to Year 6, pupils enjoy weekly lessons with a specialist teacher in our dedicated art room, a creative space where they are free to explore, experiment, and express themselves. Children are encouraged to find beauty and meaning in the world around them and to recognise the role of design in everyday life.
Through a wide range of materials and techniques — including printmaking, stitching, painting, ceramics and jewellery design, block printing, textile art — pupils develop their creativity and confidence. Lessons often connect with Humanities topics, allowing for rich cross-curricular learning. Alongside practical skills, children study influential artists from around the world and come to understand art as a powerful form of communication — a way to express observations, ideas and feelings with imagination and purpose.
In the final term of Year 6, pupils are encouraged to develop personal art projects that showcase their individual skills and creativity. These projects combine all the techniques and knowledge they have learned over the years, encouraging them to take responsibility for their own artistic learning. The completed works are proudly exhibited at the end of the year, celebrating each child’s artistic journey and achievement.
