KS2 Art and Design Report Comments (Years 3-6)
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 KS2 (Years 3-6): 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
- In clay work, [Name] joins pieces accurately by roughening the surfaces and adding slip, and shapes coil and pinch pots with control.Lower KS2
Next step
- An extension would be to study one artist's style closely and create a piece that uses the same techniques with a subject of [his/her/their] own choosing.Lower KS2
Confident C
Strengths
- [Name] can explain the artistic choices in [his/her/their] work and compare them with those of an artist, architect or designer from history.Upper KS2
Next step
- Next, [Name] could build a piece over several sessions, trying watercolour washes and mixed media before deciding on a final approach.Upper KS2
Developing D
Strengths
- Using paint, [Name] is learning to choose the right brush for the task and to control how much water and paint to use.
Next step
- Adding short notes beside sketchbook drawings, using a word mat, will help [Name] remember ideas and techniques to use again.
Beginning B
Strengths
- With adult support, [Name] is starting to shade with a pencil, pressing lightly and then harder to show light and dark.Lower KS2
Next step
- Practising shading in two boxes, one light and one dark, with an adult modelling first, will help [Name] start to show tone.Lower KS2
Support at home
- Spotting patterns together on wallpaper, clothing, buildings or in nature helps your child see how artists and designers use shape and repetition.
How to write art and design comments for KS2 (Years 3-6)
- Use the sketchbook as evidence: trying out ideas, testing colour mixes or shading, and revisiting a drawing before a final piece. Describe how the child develops an idea over several sessions.
- Name the technique taught: tone and shading with pencil, tints and shades, joining clay, perspective or watercolour washes. A next step such as adding tone to show form is specific and practical.
- Lower KS2 comments might mention studying one artist's style; upper KS2 comments can mention comparing artists, architects or designers and explaining the child's own artistic choices.
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, KS2 (Years 3-6)
- Writing, KS2 (Years 3-6)
- Spoken Language, KS2 (Years 3-6)
- Phonics and Spelling, KS2 (Years 3-6)
- Maths, KS2 (Years 3-6)
- Science, KS2 (Years 3-6)
- History, KS2 (Years 3-6)
- Geography, KS2 (Years 3-6)
- Art and Design, KS1 (Years 1-2)
- Computing, KS2 (Years 3-6)
- Design and Technology, KS2 (Years 3-6)
- Music, KS2 (Years 3-6)
- PE, KS2 (Years 3-6)
- RE, KS2 (Years 3-6)
- Languages, KS2 (Years 3-6)
- PSHE and RSHE, KS2 (Years 3-6)
- 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.