ART AND DESIGN TECHNOLOGY

At Bishopswood School, Art and Design Technology (DT) are integral to our curriculum, offering all pupils opportunities to explore creativity, develop practical skills, and build independence. Our curriculum is designed to be highly structured, accessible, and meaningful, ensuring that pupils across all pathways can engage in creative experiences that are tailored to their individual needs. Through carefully sequenced learning, pupils develop fine motor control, problem-solving skills, and sensory regulation, helping them prepare for future independence, employment, and lifelong engagement with the arts.

Intent

Our Art and DT curriculum aims to:
✔ Encourage creativity and self-expression, giving pupils a voice through different artistic media.
✔ Support physical development, including fine motor skills, grip strength, and hand-eye coordination.
✔ Address sensory needs, using a range of materials to develop tolerance and reduce tactile defensiveness.
✔ Provide real-world practical skills, such as constructing, designing, and preparing food, supporting independent living.
✔ Celebrate cultural diversity, linking art and design projects to global celebrations, artists, and historical influences.
✔ Foster confidence and independence, enabling pupils to make choices, explore different techniques, and problem-solve through creative tasks.

Implementation Across Pathways

Sensory Pathway – Exploring materials and building sensory tolerance

For pupils in the Sensory Pathway, the focus is on experiencing and interacting with materials in a way that supports sensory processing, communication, and physical development. Many pupils in this pathway may experience tactile defensiveness, so gradual exposure to different textures, materials, and tools is key. Activities are process-based rather than outcome-focused, ensuring engagement without pressure.

Examples of Learning in the Sensory Pathway:

• Mark-making activities using hands, textured rollers, and sponges to encourage early artistic engagement.
• Exploring different materials (e.g., soft fabric, rough sandpaper, wet clay) to build tolerance to textures.
• Tactile play with sensory-friendly materials, such as scented dough, foam, and water-based paints.
• Hand-strengthening activities, such as squeezing, pinching, and rolling clay to develop grip control and finger strength.
• Cause-and-effect activities, such as stamping, pressing, and using adapted tools to create visual effects.

Communication Pathway – Developing fine motor skills and creative expression

Pupils in the Communication Pathway engage in structured, semi-formal learning experiences that build upon their sensory exploration and introduce early creative and problem-solving skills. This pathway focuses on developing communication through creative expression, building hand strength, and promoting independence in artistic choices.

Examples of Learning in the Communication Pathway:

• Choice-making and communication – Pupils select colours, tools, and materials using symbols, Makaton, or AAC devices.
• Fine motor development – Activities such as cutting, sticking, threading, and shaping materials to enhance grip control and dexterity.
• Collaborative artwork – Group projects that promote teamwork and shared creativity, such as mural painting or group sculptures.
• Exploring artists and celebrations – Pupils learn about different cultures and traditions through themed creative projects, e.g., Rangoli patterns for Diwali, Aboriginal dot painting, or African textile printing.
• Introduction to functional DT skills, such as assembling, designing, and simple food preparation.

Core Pathway – Applying skills for independence and real-world use.

For pupils in the Core Pathway, Art and DT are used to develop technical skills, problem-solving, and independence in preparation for adulthood. Pupils engage in structured projects that link to real-world applications, enterprise initiatives, and vocational learning.

 Examples of learning in the Core pathway:

• Planning and executing projects, following a design brief and evaluating their work.
• Using a variety of tools safely, including scissors, paintbrushes, sewing needles, hammers, and electric mixers.
• Enterprise and careers education, where pupils create products for school fairs, fundraising events, or community displays.
• Food technology, where pupils learn about meal preparation, hygiene, and budgeting, helping to develop independent living skills.
• Recycling and sustainability projects, where pupils explore eco-friendly design and upcycling materials.
• Community-based DT projects, such as designing school signage, garden sculptures, or functional furniture for shared spaces.

Trips, community access, and real-world application

Art and DT are not confined to the classroom, we take learning into the community to give pupils real-world experiences and practical application of their skills.

✔ Visits to Art galleries and exhibitions – Pupils explore different styles, artists, and cultural influences.
✔ Outdoor art and nature-based creativity – Engaging with the environment through land art, sculpture, and mural projects.
✔ Enterprise projects – Pupils create handmade items for school fairs, learning about budgeting, marketing, and production.
✔ Community-based DT projects – Pupils work on practical design solutions for their school or local area, fostering problem-solving and teamwork.
✔ Cultural art experiences – Learning about and creating artwork inspired by different festivals, historical periods, and international art movements.
✔ Cooking and catering experiences – Pupils prepare, cook, and serve food, engaging in hospitality and life skills training.

Impact

Through our structured three-year cycle, pupils at Bishopswood School develop:
✔ Increased confidence in self-expression, using different artistic and design techniques.
✔ Essential fine motor skills and hand strength, improving their ability to write, draw, grip, and manipulate objects.
✔ Functional life skills, such as cutting, sewing, assembling, and food preparation, that support independent living.
✔ A sense of achievement, as pupils create tangible outcomes that they can display, use, or sell.
✔ An understanding of different cultures and historical influences, developing awareness and curiosity for the wider world.
✔ Resilience, problem-solving, and adaptability, as they experiment, refine, and evaluate their work.
✔ Real-world applications, such as enterprise projects, vocational learning, and community-based design tasks.

At Bishopswood, Art and DT are more than just creative subjects, they are essential in developing independence, communication, and real-world skills. By embedding creativity into daily learning, linking to cultural and vocational opportunities, and ensuring accessibility for all pathways, we ensure that every pupil can engage, explore, and develop their potential through hands-on, meaningful experiences.