Through our Christian ethos, we teach children to hear, understand and live the word of God, helping them to give back to the world as global citizens. As every child is uniquely created in God’s image, we nurture their individual development through a holistic approach to all aspects of life.

Intent

Art and design stimulate creativity and imagination. It provides visual, tactile and sensory experiences, and a special way of understanding and responding to the world which is fundamental for our children at St Mary’s. It enables children to communicate what they see, feel and think, through the use of colour, texture, form, pattern and different materials and processes without the pressures of the written or spoken word. Children become involved in shaping their environments through art and design activities. Participating in a range of art forms helps children become creative, responsive, critical and appreciative. They discover the value of focus, discipline and practice and the importance of working collaboratively. Working as artists themselves and responding to the work of other artists helps them to develop an appreciation of aesthetics, and enables insights into different viewpoints, identities and cultures.

Implementation

At St Marys Church of England, our curriculum is based on good quality resources and allocated time for an Art focus. Art plays an important role across the whole school curriculum. It is principally cross-curricular, and every subject uses it for visual imagery. The children at St Mary’s benefit greatly from the visual and tactile approaches in art related activities. The skills and knowledge developed through art are interlaced across planning and teaching to support learning in the whole curriculum.

At St Mary’s we aim to offer opportunities for children to:

• Promote an understanding and enjoyment of art, craft and design
• Develop and encourage creativity and imagination through experimenting with a range of different tools and materials.
• Become proficient in drawing, painting, sculpture and other art, craft and design techniques
• Develop use of a range of tools, media and processes
• Evaluate and analyse creative works using the language of art, craft and design
• Know about great artists, craft makers and designers
• Understand the historical and cultural development of their art forms
• Develop their ability to observe, investigate, respond to and record the world around them through a growing variety of forms and media

We plan the activities in Art and Design so that they are either reinforcing or building on the children’s prior learning. While we give children of all abilities the opportunity to develop their skills, knowledge and understanding, we also plan progression into the scheme of work, so that there is an increasing challenge for the children as they move up through the school.

Children will learn about how the arts are created and enjoyed today, how they have changed over time, and the contribution they make to our lives and culture. How the arts are used and valued indifferent cultures and traditions should be explored. Children will learn how to combine art forms imaginatively and in complementary and enhancing ways. They will exhibit for a range of audiences, and work with artists in and beyond the classroom. They will be introduced to the appropriate language of the arts.

Impact

At St Mary's, artwork is celebrated all around the school, in the classroom and corridor displays, as well as in the creative space room. The curriculum and its impact is monitored through constructive scrutiny of termly data, planning, monitoring of books and displays, lesson learning walks, discussions with teaching staff, parents and pupil voice.