At Aston Rowant CE Primary School, we are proud to teach Art using AccessArt, a nationally respected and research-informed programme that champions high-quality, inclusive and creative art education. AccessArt supports our belief that every child is an artist, capable of exploring ideas, developing skills and expressing themselves with confidence and curiosity.

Our use of AccessArt ensures that Art at Aston Rowant is:

• Ambitious – offering carefully designed learning that challenges all pupils
• Creative – giving children the freedom to experiment, play and take artistic risks
• Progressive – building technical skills and conceptual understanding year on year
• Inclusive – accessible to every learner, whatever their starting point
• Rich in cultural capital – introducing children to a wide range of artists, styles and traditions
• Deeply engaging – inspiring children to enjoy the creative process as much as the final piece

What AccessArt Looks Like in Our Classrooms

A Broad, Balanced and Beautiful Curriculum

AccessArt provides teachers with inspirational projects, structured progression and high-quality resources. This ensures that every child experiences a rich blend of:

• Drawing
• Painting
• Sculpture
• Printmaking
• Mixed media
• Digital art
• Textiles
• Artist studies

Teachers adapt and tailor AccessArt units to connect with class topics, local events and real artistic opportunities within the school — always in consultation with our Art Lead to ensure progression and coverage remain strong.

A Focus on Process, Not Perfection

A key strength of AccessArt is its emphasis on the creative process. Children are encouraged to:

• Explore materials
• Make decisions
• Reflect and refine
• Work expressively and intuitively
• See mistakes as opportunities
• Develop independence and ownership

This approach builds confidence, resilience and a genuine love of art.

Progression Through Skills and Concepts

Every year group builds on prior learning, developing increasing sophistication in:

• Using line, colour, form, tone and texture
• Understanding composition and visual language
• Talking about art using appropriate vocabulary
• Analysing and responding to their own and others’ work
• Exploring art within cultural, historical and contemporary contexts

Sketchbooks travel with children throughout their time at Aston Rowant, creating a rich visual record of growth and creativity.

Artist Inspiration and Cultural Richness

AccessArt exposes children to a wide range of artists, including:

• Contemporary artists
• Artists from diverse cultures
• Classical and modern masters
• Craftspeople and designers

This helps children develop artistic knowledge, cultural awareness and an understanding that there is no single way to be an artist.

Creativity Beyond the Classroom

Our AccessArt curriculum is complemented by:

• Art Enrichment Weeks
• Collaborative whole-school projects (such as the OxTrail and Coronation mosaic)
• Visiting artists and workshops
• Trips to galleries and museums
• An active Art Club led by our Art Lead and supported by Art Ambassadors

These experiences deepen children's understanding and allow them to participate in authentic, memorable art making.

Why AccessArt Works for Aston Rowant

AccessArt aligns beautifully with our Christian vision: Growing together, rooted in God, enjoying fullness of life.

Through this approach, children learn to:

• See beauty in the world
• Express their unique voice
• Work collaboratively and respectfully
• Reflect deeply
• Celebrate creativity as a gift
• Value the impact art has on mental wellbeing, spirituality and community life

At Aston Rowant, AccessArt helps us nurture pupils who are thoughtful, creative, confident and courageous learners - artists in every sense.