Art, Music and Design Technology

We value our children having opportunities to develop and demonstrate their creativity, whilst exploring the breadth and depth of the national curriculum. Through established and meaningful links with professionals both inside and outside of our school, we hope that our children will foster lifelong skills, confidence and passion within the creative arts and understand how every day and exceptional creativity can shape the world.

Art and Design

At Griffydam, our Art and Design curriculum is rooted in the National Curriculum for England and aims to provide all pupils with a high-quality art education that engages, inspires, and challenges them. We believe that art is essential for developing creativity, critical thinking, and cultural awareness.

 

Inspire Creativity and Expression
We encourage children to explore their ideas and record their experiences through a variety of media.

 Develop Technical Proficiency

Pupils will become increasingly proficient in drawing, painting, sculpture, and other art, craft, and design techniques.

 Promote Critical Thinking and Art Literacy

Children will learn to evaluate and analyse creative works using the language of art, craft, and design, helping them to think critically and reflect on their own and others’ work.

 Celebrate Artistic Heritage and Diversity

Our curriculum introduces pupils to a wide range of artists, craft makers, and designers from different cultures and historical periods.

 Encourage Experimentation and Mastery

Through sketchbooks, exploration, and revisiting ideas, pupils will develop mastery of techniques and confidence in using a range of materials.

 Art and Design Curriculum 

 

Music

 Our Music curriculum has been taken from the Leicestershire Music Service approved curriculum and is in line with NC requirements. We have worked in consultation with the Music Hub to adapt the curriculum to meet the needs of our school and provide a broad and balanced curriculum.

Percussion Focus

Pupils in Class 3 receive specialist music teaching from the Music Hub; on alternate years their music curriculum is delivered through weekly sessions in djembe drums and steel pans. Our aim is that pupils in EYFS and KS1 will have a strong understanding of percussion before starting their specialist teaching. 

Pupils have opportunities to explore and engage with a wide range of musical genres, instruments and concepts through our music curriculum.

Music School Development Plan 2025-26

 

Design & Technology

At Griffydam, our Design and Technology (D&T) curriculum is designed to equip pupils with the creative, technical, and practical expertise needed to confidently perform everyday tasks and thrive in an increasingly technological world. Rooted in the National Curriculum for England, our approach encourages innovation, problem-solving, and resilience through hands-on learning.

Our Intent is to:

Develop Creative and Practical Expertise
Pupils will learn to design and make purposeful, functional, and appealing products using a range of tools, materials, and techniques.

Build Knowledge and Skills Across Disciplines
Children will draw on knowledge from mathematics, science, computing, and art to inform their design decisions, fostering interdisciplinary learning and real-world application.

Encourage Iterative Design and Critical Thinking
Pupils will engage in an iterative process of designing, making, and evaluating, learning to test and refine their ideas. They will critique their own work and that of others, developing resilience and reflective thinking.

Promote Understanding of Technology and Society
Through studying past and present designers and technologies, children will explore the impact of design on society, culture, and the environment, helping them become responsible citizens and consumers.

Instil Lifelong Skills Through Cooking and Nutrition
Pupils will learn the principles of healthy eating and acquire essential cooking skills, enabling them to prepare nutritious meals and understand food origins and seasonality.

 Design and Technology Curriculum