Art and Design
At St Vincent’s Catholic Primary School, we believe that art gives children a powerful way to explore, understand and express themselves.
Our art curriculum encourages every child to be creative, curious and confident. Through drawing, painting, sculpture, textiles, printmaking and other creative experiences, pupils develop practical skills while learning to look carefully, think creatively and communicate their ideas.
We want every child to discover their own artistic voice and understand that creativity is something to be valued throughout life.
Developing Artistic Skills
Our art curriculum is carefully sequenced from the Early Years through to Year 6, allowing children to develop their skills and confidence over time.
Pupils learn to:
• draw from observation and imagination
• explore colour, tone, texture, pattern and form
• paint using a range of techniques
• create sculptures and three dimensional work
• experiment with different materials and processes
• explore printing and textiles
• use sketchbooks to develop and record ideas
• evaluate and refine their work
• develop their own creative responses.
Children revisit key skills throughout their time at St Vincent’s, allowing them to become increasingly confident and sophisticated in their artistic choices.
Learning from Artists
We believe children benefit from encountering a wide range of artists and creative practitioners.
Pupils explore the work of significant artists, designers and craftspeople from different periods, cultures and backgrounds. They learn about the techniques, ideas and influences that have shaped different works of art.
Studying artists provides inspiration and encourages children to consider how art can communicate ideas, emotions, experiences and perspectives.
We want children to understand that there is no single way to be an artist and that creativity can take many different forms.
Creativity and Experimentation
Art provides children with the opportunity to explore, experiment and take creative risks.
Children are encouraged to try different materials and techniques, make choices and develop their own ideas. They learn that artwork does not always have to look the same and that experimentation is an important part of the creative process.
We celebrate individuality and encourage children to develop confidence in their own artistic decisions.
Sketchbooks and Artistic Development
Sketchbooks are an important part of our art curriculum.
Children use them to record observations, explore ideas, practise techniques, experiment with materials and reflect on their developing work.
Sketchbooks allow pupils to see how their ideas develop over time. They learn that artists often make changes, revisit ideas and learn through experimentation.
As children progress through the school, they become increasingly independent in using their sketchbooks to plan, develop and evaluate their creative work.
Art Across the Curriculum
Art provides opportunities for children to make meaningful connections with their wider learning.
Pupils may respond creatively to their learning in history, geography, science, Religious Education and other subjects. This enables children to explore ideas from different perspectives and use art to deepen their understanding.
Our curriculum also provides opportunities to explore local artists, architecture, cultural traditions and the creative heritage of our community.
Art and Our Catholic Identity
Art has an important place within our Catholic tradition.
Children have opportunities to explore religious art, symbolism, architecture and the ways artists have expressed faith throughout history. They consider how art can communicate beliefs, stories, emotions and ideas.
Through art, pupils are encouraged to appreciate the beauty and wonder of God's creation and to recognise the creativity and individuality that each person possesses.
Celebrating Creativity
We believe children should have opportunities to share and celebrate their artistic achievements.
Artwork is displayed throughout our school and children have opportunities to showcase their work through exhibitions, performances, displays and wider school events.
We want pupils to take pride in their creativity and appreciate the work of others.
Supporting Every Artist
We have high expectations for every pupil and believe that all children can succeed in art.
Teachers use adaptive teaching to ensure that pupils can access ambitious creative experiences. Children who need additional support receive appropriate modelling, resources and encouragement, while pupils who are ready for greater challenge are encouraged to experiment, refine techniques and develop increasingly independent ideas.
We are committed to ensuring that disadvantaged pupils, vulnerable pupils and pupils with SEND have full access to our art curriculum and the opportunity to develop their creativity.
Inspiring Creative Futures
By the time children leave St Vincent’s, we want them to have developed a broad range of artistic skills and the confidence to express their ideas creatively.
We want pupils to be able to look carefully, experiment courageously, make thoughtful artistic choices and reflect on their own work.
Most importantly, we want children to understand that creativity matters. Art helps us to see the world differently, appreciate the perspectives of others and communicate things that cannot always be expressed through words.
Through art, every child is encouraged to achieve, belong and thrive, discovering their creativity and having the confidence to let their light shine.
At St Vincent’s we aspire to make the learning ambitious for all learners. Our school curriculum includes the knowledge, skills and life experiences children need to thrive. Our learning is carefully planned and sequenced using the National Curriculum that can be found below:
National Curriculum Art and Design
Knowledge and skills are built on from previous years and there is clear progression in each subject. You can see an overview of progression below:
Art and Design Progression Grid
Each curriculum area is taught across the year and evidenced on a long term plan, divided into half termly blocks. You can see the long term plan below:
Art and Design Developments Spring 2024
