Art Intent 

At St Mary of Charity Primary School we provide opportunities for children to develop the knowledge and skills needed to express their ideas and thoughts creatively.  

They will explore art and artists in our community and give back to the community in which they belong through marked events throughout the year. They will develop a curiosity about art and design, recognise how art plays a role in cultures around the globe, and develop their understanding of Art History and how it shapes the world that we live in. Links between different areas of the curriculum will be explored through art to enhance children’s understanding from both an artistic point of view, but with the view to reinforce wider knowledge. 

They will think and work in an increasingly critical way as they develop a more rigorous understanding of art, craft and design. They will communicate their thoughts and ideas in a range of ways, becoming more self-reflective through the exploration of different media and applying taught techniques. They are taught to understand and use the process of developing and refining ideas to create their own original art and craft pieces in a broad range of different styles and media. 

Art Implementation

Comprehensive Curriculum

At SMC, to ensure a comprehensive and enriching Art curriculum, we have developed a well-sequenced program that is tailored to the needs and interests of our pupils. The curriculum covers a range of artistic techniques, styles, and mediums, including drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, and digital art. We have carefully selected topics and themes that reflect the needs of our community and engage pupils in exploring different cultures, historical periods, and artists.

Each term’s artistic journey consists of the same steps:

1. Children are asked to give their opinions about the work of the artist/s and learn about art history.
2. Children are taught techniques: new techniques will be modelled and children will have time to explore and experiment with them. We encourage the use of a range of media to express their ideas.​
3. Children are given time to practice and apply taught techniques together. This will inform their planning of future art work through evaluation. ​
4. Planning​: children are encouraged to look back at their work during this unit and in their sketchbook. What did they like about the artists studied? What inspiration have they taken? What was successful when testing out new techniques that they had learned? ​
5. Children are given time to create their final piece.​
6. Children evaluate their work and the unit​

We use Knowledge Organisers to share learning and key vocabulary with the children, parents and carers. 

Creativity and Imagination

We promote creativity and imagination by providing regular opportunities for pupils to experiment, take risks, and think independently. Our art lessons encourage pupils to generate ideas, make connections, and explore their own unique artistic style. We encourage pupils to express their emotions and experiences through art, while also fostering a sense of curiosity and wonder.

Skill Development

The development of artistic skills is a fundamental aspect of our Art curriculum. We ensure that pupils are taught the necessary techniques and processes to create artwork of high quality. This includes providing demonstrations, scaffolded activities, and ample opportunities for guided practice. Pupils learn to use a wide range of art materials and tools effectively, as well as develop their observational and problem-solving skills.

Cross-Curricular Links

We actively seek opportunities to integrate Art with other subjects, fostering cross-curricular links and enhancing pupils' understanding of different topics. For example, we encourage pupils to create artwork inspired by literature, science, history, or geography. This approach helps pupils to make connections between different subjects, reinforcing their learning and providing a richer educational experience.

Inclusive Approach

Our Art curriculum is fully inclusive, ensuring that every child has equal access and opportunities to engage with art. We celebrate and value the diverse experiences, backgrounds, and abilities of our pupils. Adaptive teaching techniques are implemented to accommodate individual pupils' needs, allowing all children to achieve success and progress in their artistic journey.

Enrichment and Experiences

We believe that art should extend beyond the classroom. We actively seek opportunities to provide pupils with enriching experiences, such as visits to art galleries, museums and exhibitions. We invite local artists and practitioners to deliver workshops and demonstrations, inspiring pupils and broadening their horizons. We also encourage pupils to participate in art clubs, competitions, exhibitions, and community projects, fostering pride and a sense of achievement.

This year, each class created Remembrance day artwork using a different media. We then shared this with each other in celebration worship and invited parents in to look at our artwork after school on the 11th November 2022.