At Oakdene Primary Academy, we believe that every child is an artist. Our aim is for all pupils to leave us with a deep love of Art and Design, alongside the confidence to see themselves as illustrators, designers, curators and creators.
Creativity is one of our golden threads, woven throughout our entire curriculum. It is not confined to discrete Art lessons; instead, it underpins how children think, explore and express themselves across all subjects. From storytelling in English to presenting ideas in the wider curriculum, we nurture imagination, individuality and creative confidence in everything we do.
We want our children to remember their artistic journey with joy, pride and a sense of identity, valuing the opportunities they are given to create, experiment and express themselves.
As Pablo Picasso said,“Every child is an artist.” At Oakdene, we are committed to ensuring that children remain artists as they grow.
Our Art and Design curriculum is carefully structured to engage, inspire and challenge. We follow the Kapow Primary Art Scheme, ensuring clear progression in skills and knowledge across all year groups.
Creativity is deliberately embedded beyond Art lessons. Children are encouraged to:
Use drawing and sketching to develop ideas, particularly in English
Illustrate and bring stories to life, strengthening both artistic and writing outcomes
Present learning in creative and imaginative ways across the curriculum
High-quality texts are used as a stimulus for both artistic exploration and writing, ensuring strong links between creativity and literacy.
Staff are supported through ongoing CPD, collaborative planning, and external partnerships with artists and arts organisations to ensure creativity is consistently developed across school.
Whole-school events, themed assemblies and enrichment opportunities further reinforce creativity as a valued and visible part of our school culture. This reflects our wider approach, where key themes are woven throughout school life as golden threads rather than taught in isolation.
Through our curriculum, pupils develop a strong understanding of visual language, confidently using line, shape, colour, texture and form to communicate ideas.
Our children leave Oakdene as:
Independent and original thinkers
Pupils with a secure knowledge of artists, designers and craft makers
Children who can reflect, evaluate and improve their work
Confident communicators, able to express themselves visually and through writing
Because creativity is embedded across all areas of learning, pupils demonstrate increased confidence, imagination and resilience—key qualities that support success both in school and beyond.
At Oakdene, Art and creativity are not seen as separate—they are a way of thinking, learning and being.
Whether children are:
Designing a character in English
Creating diagrams in science
Exploring patterns in maths
Or responding creatively to the world around them
they are developing their identity as creative learners.
Art at Oakdene is more than a subject—it is a celebration of creativity, identity and possibility, central to our vision of a rich, inclusive and empowering education.
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