Drawing in the National Curriculum

AccessArt advocates:

  • Access to varied drawing materials from the outset. There is no reason why children should not be introduced to a varied range of drawing materials from Year One. The more experience children have of using a wide range of material the more they will feel able to make independent, confident, drawing decisions.

  • Traditional drawing skills, including drawing from observation, should be balanced alongside more experimental drawing skills. Drawing comes in many forms and each form should be equally valued.

  • Children should be given the opportunity to work on a variety of scales. Drawing can be physical as well as studious. Drawing should be an adventure.

  • Teachers should embrace the "journey" and consider the process as important (sometimes more) than the outcome. Working from a "display-backwards" mentality (where a teacher has an idea of an end result in mind) often jeopardises the true creative journey.

  • Children should be encouraged to understand the value of taking creative risks in their work. See more about Understanding Risk here.

  • Assess gently and understand the key concepts you might explore through our Resonating Statements.