Ofsted has published its latest curriculum research review, this
time looking at art education in schools.
Today’s report explores the factors that contribute to
high-quality art education. It sets out a broad conception of
curriculum quality that draws on the education inspection
framework as well as art education research, art history, art
criticism, aesthetics, and art practice.
Read the art and design research
review.
Art, craft and design is an important subject for all pupils,
including those with special educational needs and/or
disabilities (SEND). A
high-quality art education can help pupils appreciate, interpret
and create art.
We acknowledge that there are various ways schools can construct
and teach high-quality art curriculums. But our report identifies
some common features that schools may want to consider in
developing their art education, including:
- high-quality art, craft, and design curriculums that work
towards clearly defined end goals, reflecting the complexity,
diversity, and plurality of the subject
- clear decisions made about what to include in the curriculum,
with subject-specific reasons
- a curriculum that allows pupils to learn the fundamentals of
art and express them in interesting ways
- a curriculum that builds practical, theoretical and
disciplinary subject-specific knowledge
- a curriculum that shows the diversity of art, craft and
design, including work that is produced around the world by
different artists, craft-makers, and designers from diverse
communities, as well as traditional and contemporary forms
- sufficient training, support and time for teachers to teach
the curriculum well
Ofsted’s Chief Inspector, Amanda Spielman said:
Art makes a significant contribution to our society through human
innovation, imagination, and thought.
A high-quality curriculum in art, craft and design, enables
pupils to develop love of a subject that is both intellectually
challenging and creatively demanding. The subject should command
an important place in every school.
We hope this review will contribute to raising the quality of art
education for all young people.
