KS3 Art and Design Curriculum (England)
The whole key stage 3 art and design programme of study from the national curriculum in England, with statutory and non-statutory parts clearly marked. Tick statements to plan a lesson.
- Years
- Year 7, Year 8, Year 9
- Ages
- 11–14
- Statutory statements
- 5
- Source
- National curriculum in England: art and design
- Last checked
- 2026-10-20
Current. The government response to the Curriculum and Assessment Review (Nov 2025) says a revised national curriculum will be published by spring 2027 for first teaching from September 2028.
Teaching one year group? Open its TIP: Year 7 Art and Design · Year 8 Art and Design · Year 9 Art and Design.
Key stage 3 5 statutory statements
Introduction to Key stage 3 (official text)
Pupils should be taught to develop their creativity and ideas, and increase proficiency in their execution. They should develop a critical understanding of artists, architects and designers, expressing reasoned judgements that can inform their own work.
Pupils should be taught:
Key stage 3 Statutory
Pupils should be taught:
- to use a range of techniques to record their observations in sketchbooks, journals and other media as a basis for exploring their ideas
- to use a range of techniques and media, including painting
- to increase their proficiency in the handling of different materials
- to analyse and evaluate their own work, and that of others, in order to strengthen the visual impact or applications of their work
- about the history of art, craft, design and architecture, including periods, styles and major movements from ancient times up to the present day
Official documents
- National curriculum in England: art and design programmes of study (GOV.UK)
- The national curriculum framework for key stages 1 to 4 (GOV.UK)
More
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: Department for Education, National curriculum in England: art and design programmes of study (GOV.UK), © Crown copyright.
Statements in the curriculum lists are copied word for word from GOV.UK; everything else on this page (headings, notes, summaries) is written by us. Classfern is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Department for Education or the Standards and Testing Agency. Always check the official documents linked on this page.
Questions teachers ask
What is in the KS3 art and design curriculum?
5 statutory statements in 1 section. Schools must teach the statutory content by the end of the key stage.