KS1 Art and Design Report Comments (Years 1-2)
Art and design covers drawing, painting, sculpture and printing with a range of materials, using colour, line, shape, pattern, texture and form, developing ideas in a sketchbook, and learning about artists, architects and designers.
Below are 9 sample sentences for KS1 (Years 1-2): one strength and one next step for each of the 4 comment levels (Extending / Confident / Developing / Beginning), plus a tip for families. They are a small selection from the 119 art and design sentences in the full pack. Copy one, then add a detail only you know about the student.
Jump to: Extending · Confident · Developing · Beginning · Writing tips
Fills in the name and pronouns on this page. Nothing is sent anywhere.
Extending E
Strengths
- For collage, [Name] selects papers and fabrics for their colour and texture and arranges them thoughtfully to build a picture.
Next step
- A next step is to mix secondary colours using different amounts of each primary colour and talk about how the new colour changes.
Confident C
Strengths
- In collage, [Name] cuts, tears and arranges paper confidently to create pictures with different textures.
Next step
- [He/She/They] should try printing with a wider range of objects, such as sponges, leaves and corks, and compare the marks each one makes.
Developing D
Strengths
- When drawing from observation, [Name] draws the main shapes of an object and, when prompted, adds one or two details.
Next step
- [He/She/They] could build models from clay or dough by practising rolling a sausage shape and a ball, then joining them carefully.
Beginning B
Strengths
- Modelling with soft dough, [Name] is taking first steps in rolling and pinching it into simple shapes when an adult shows how.
Next step
- With an adult, [Name] could practise rolling dough into balls and sausages and joining them to make a simple model.
Support at home
- Asking your child to explain a picture they have made, and what they might change, builds the habit of talking about art.
How to write art and design comments for KS1 (Years 1-2)
- Name the material and technique: mixing primary colours, printing with sponges, rolling and pinching clay, or collage. Parents can picture a specific skill more easily than a general remark about creativity.
- Comment on looking closely when drawing from observation, such as adding the veins on a leaf. Young children can practise this at home by drawing a toy, a plant or the view from a window.
- Mention how the child talks about an artist's work or their own, such as saying what they notice and what they like about it. Keep the wording simple and descriptive.
Watch out: Avoid judging talent or calling work simply beautiful or messy. Describe the skills and choices you saw, such as blending colours or adding detail, so the comment reflects learning rather than taste.
The scale describes how independently the child shows the learning. Extending suits independently, applies it in new contexts and explains reasoning; Confident suits usually and with occasional support; Developing suits sometimes, or with a model or word mat; Beginning names what the child does with adult support. Show the point through one piece of learning rather than writing the scale word itself.
What Art and Design covers
In these comments, art and design covers these behaviours:
- draws, paints and sculpts with a range of materials and techniques
- uses colour, pattern, texture, line, shape, form and space
- records, explores and develops ideas, including in a sketchbook
- learns about and responds to the work of artists, architects and designers
More UK primary subjects comments
- Reading, KS1 (Years 1-2)
- Writing, KS1 (Years 1-2)
- Spoken Language, KS1 (Years 1-2)
- Phonics and Spelling, KS1 (Years 1-2)
- Maths, KS1 (Years 1-2)
- Science, KS1 (Years 1-2)
- History, KS1 (Years 1-2)
- Geography, KS1 (Years 1-2)
- Art and Design, KS2 (Years 3-6)
- Computing, KS1 (Years 1-2)
- Design and Technology, KS1 (Years 1-2)
- Music, KS1 (Years 1-2)
- PE, KS1 (Years 1-2)
- RE, KS1 (Years 1-2)
- Languages, KS1 (Years 1-2)
- PSHE and RSHE, KS1 (Years 1-2)
- Opening and closing sentences
- All UK primary subjects skills and grade bands
- Build a comment with the comment picker
How these sentences were made, and what has been checked: About these comments.