Art and Design
Vision
At the heart of our Art & Design curriculum is the belief that every student is an artist and that creativity is a powerful tool for self-expression, confidence, and personal growth. Our vision is to create a welcoming, inspiring, and inclusive environment where all learners can thrive through visual exploration and creative risk-taking.
Overview
At Goffs-Churchgate Academy, the Art & Design curriculum develops confident, creative, and reflective young people who believe in their own potential and understand that there is No Set Destiny for Any Child. Through purposeful engagement with visual art, students learn to observe the world carefully, think critically, and communicate ideas with clarity and intention, supporting the school’s emphasis on oracy, confidence, and aspiration.
By the time they leave school, Art students are resilient, independent learners who take pride in their work and aspire to achieve high standards, reflecting the school values of Respect, Aspire, Nurture, and Achieve. They are culturally aware and respectful, able to engage thoughtfully with artists, designers, and visual traditions from diverse cultures and contexts, supporting the school’s commitment to inclusion, tolerance, and British values.
Art & Design nurtures curiosity, creativity, and self-expression, empowering students to explore identity, articulate ideas confidently, and contribute positively to society through informed and purposeful creative practice, aligning with the school’s aim to develop well-rounded, responsible young people.
The Art & Design department at Goffs-Churchgate Academy is an ambitious, inclusive, and nurturing learning environment where every student is known and supported, directly reflecting the school’s curriculum vision. The curriculum is carefully sequenced, knowledge-rich, and skills-focused, ensuring secure foundations at Key Stage 3 in drawing, colour theory, composition, and media handling, progressing to increasingly independent and conceptual work at Key Stage 4.
Teaching is underpinned by quality-first practice, clear modelling, and consistent routines, mirroring whole-school expectations. Students regularly revisit key knowledge and techniques through retrieval, practice, and reflection, supporting long-term learning in line with evidence-informed practice. Examples to support what you are saying. Needs to be more personalised.
The department places strong emphasis on cultural capital, oracy, and visual literacy, engaging students with historical and contemporary artists from diverse backgrounds. Students are taught to analyse, evaluate, and articulate ideas using subject-specific vocabulary, aligning with the school’s focus on communication and confidence.
Inclusive strategies and adaptive teaching ensure all learners — including those with SEND and disadvantaged students — can access the curriculum while maintaining high expectations, reflecting the school’s commitment to inclusion and ambition for all. Assessment for learning is embedded throughout, with clear end points that support progression and preparation for next steps.
Through strong GCSE outcomes, enrichment opportunities, and transferable skill development, Art & Design prepares students for further education, creative pathways, and life beyond school, reinforcing the belief that every student can achieve and shape their own future.
