SEND in Art and Design

At St Philip’s CE Primary School, we believe that Art and Design should be an inclusive, creative and inspiring subject in which every child is given the opportunity to participate, succeed and express themselves. Our Art and Design curriculum is designed to meet the diverse needs of all learners, including pupils with SEND, through high expectations alongside appropriate support, scaffolding and adaptation. Our school’s Art and Design action plan places adaptive teaching at the heart of curriculum delivery, with teachers using assessment, SEND profiles and pupil voice to inform planning, alongside adaptive resources, flexible grouping, effective questioning and appropriate scaffolds to ensure pupils can access learning and develop increasing independence. This inclusive approach reflects our wider Art and Design curriculum, which is designed to consider different abilities and provide children with opportunities to develop their creativity, curiosity, enquiry, knowledge and practical skills. Across the school, children experience a broad range of artistic media, materials and techniques, including drawing, painting, collage, printing, mixed media and three-dimensional work, with skills revisited and developed as pupils progress through the curriculum. For pupils with SEND, teachers can use modelling, guided practice, scaffolding, speaking frames and visual prompts as appropriate, while maintaining ambitious expectations and encouraging children to become increasingly confident and independent in their learning. Oracy also plays an important role within Art and Design at St Philip’s. Pupils are supported to express creative ideas, discuss their own work and the work of others, describe artistic techniques and develop appropriate subject-specific vocabulary through structured discussion and verbal exploration of artwork. The curriculum also allows children to recognise their individual development by reviewing emerging skills, looking back through their Art books, seeing their work displayed and recognising skills and techniques they have mastered. Importantly, the school acknowledges that children develop practical artistic skills, techniques and understanding at different speeds, while continuing to build their ability to make purposeful choices about media and communicate their ideas and opinions. We are committed to ensuring that the achievements of pupils with SEND are visible and celebrated within the wider school community. The Art and Design action plan specifically identifies opportunities for vulnerable groups, including SEND pupils, to showcase their artwork within the school gallery, supporting an inclusive culture in which creativity and achievement are recognised and valued. Through this supportive and adaptive approach, we aim to ensure that children with SEND can access meaningful Art and Design experiences, develop their individual artistic skills and knowledge, communicate their creative choices and take pride in what they achieve.