Teachers need to plan to develop the breadth and depth of pupils' experiences, and the quality of their responses and outcomes.

In each of the following aspects and more, teachers need to be both demanding and supportive. Pupils need high expectations, coupled with continued and active support to enable them to respond to the challenge.

Broadening knowledge, skills and understanding

Teachers need to plan to develop the breadth of pupils' experiences in:

exploring and developing ideas
by engaging them in looking at and talking about a diverse range of visual stimuli; by confronting pupils with issues and concepts that encourage them to consider and reapply ways of thinking to their own ideas and feelings

investigating and making art, craft and design
by ensuring a good balance between the range of processes and techniques taught and the choice and variety of materials used; by revisiting and reapplying the skills acquired to their own ideas and intentions; by testing and experimenting with a wide range of materials; by exploring the potential of mixing media

evaluating and developing work
by helping pupils to recognise that there is no one right or wrong interpretation or representation; by considering alternative solutions; by reflecting on the approaches of others and making connections between their own ideas, the context of their work and the diversity of art, craft and design from different times and places.

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Increasing depth of knowledge, skills and understanding

Teachers need to help pupils engage with the process of working in art and design with increasing rigour in order to develop the depth of their knowledge and understanding about:

exploring and developing ideas
this demands rigorous analysis and understanding of how codes and conventions are used to represent ideas, beliefs and values in art, craft and design

investigating and making art, craft and design
this requires high levels of knowledge and understanding of the visual and tactile qualities of materials and processes, and how these can be manipulated and matched to ideas, purposes and audiences

evaluating and developing work
this requires the study of continuity and change in the purposes and audiences of artists, craftspeople and designers from western Europe and the wider world.

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Improving the quality of response and outcomes

Teachers need to plan to improve the quality of pupils' responses and outcomes by developing their:

key skills -- especially those relating to communication, working with others and improving own learning and performance;

thinking skills -- information processing, reasoning, enquiry, creative thinking and evaluation;

ability to make connections and apply their knowledge and understanding -- in the context of their own ideas, methods and approaches in art and design.

Managing provision in the general guidance

Matching teaching to pupils' needs in the general guidance

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