Intent

At St Bernadette's Catholic Primary School, our Art and Design curriculum aims to inspire creativity, develop technical skills, and foster an appreciation for art in all its forms. We want our pupils to:

• Develop their creativity and imagination through exploring a range of artistic techniques, materials, and processes
• Build progressive skills in drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, and digital art
• Learn about great artists, craft makers, and designers from diverse cultures and periods, understanding how art reflects and shapes our world
• Express their ideas, thoughts, and feelings confidently through visual means
• Develop critical thinking by evaluating and analysing their own work and that of others
• Understand how art connects to our Catholic values of creativity, beauty, and seeing God in all things

Implementation

Our Art and Design curriculum meets the requirements of the National Curriculum for Art and Design, ensuring pupils develop competence in drawing, painting, sculpture, and other art, craft and design techniques. Our curriculum is delivered through:

Sequenced Learning:

• A carefully planned progression of skills from EYFS through to Year 6, with each year building on previous learning
• Units that explore different artists, art movements, and techniques, ensuring breadth of experience
• Regular opportunities to revisit and refine core skills like drawing, colour mixing, and composition

We ensure safe practice through appropriate risk assessments for all art activities, tools, and materials, with staff trained in their safe use.

Quality Teaching:

• Each unit begins with studying the work of significant artists, helping pupils understand context and techniques
• Explicit teaching of technical skills before pupils apply them creatively
• Use of sketchbooks throughout KS1 and KS2 for experimentation, planning, and reflection
• Regular opportunities for pupils to evaluate their work and that of their peers, developing critical vocabulary

Inclusive Practice:

• Differentiated resources and support to ensure all pupils, including those with SEND, can access and excel in art
• Celebration of diverse artists and art forms from different cultures and periods
• Adaptations made for pupils with specific needs while maintaining high expectations.

Enrichment:

• Links to our local community and Catholic heritage through studying religious art and symbolism
• Visits to galleries and museums where possible
• Opportunities for whole-school art events and competitions
• Art club across year groups delivered after school.

Impact

The impact of our Art and Design curriculum is evident through:

Pupil Outcomes:

• Pupils develop progressive skills in a range of techniques and can confidently use appropriate tools and materials.
• By the end of KS2, pupils can independently plan, create, and evaluate their artwork, showing clear progression from their starting points.
• Pupils can discuss their work and the work of others using increasingly sophisticated artistic vocabulary.
• Sketchbooks show experimentation, development of ideas, and reflection on learning.

Pupil Attitudes:

• Children are enthusiastic about art lessons and show pride in their work.
• Pupils demonstrate resilience when techniques are challenging and are willing to take creative risks.
• All pupils, regardless of background or ability, feel they can succeed in art.

Quality Assurance:

• Regular monitoring through work scrutiny, and pupil voice interviews show strong engagement and progression.
• Displays throughout school celebrate high-quality artwork and demonstrate the breadth of the curriculum.
• Pupils' artwork is celebrated through exhibitions, competitions, and displays in the wider community.

Pupils leave St Bernadette's with a love of art, the confidence to continue creating, and an appreciation for how art enriches their lives and connects to their faith and community.

You can view the EYFS curriculum by clicking below:

Art and Design Progression Y1-6 Term 1

Art and Design Progression Y1-6 Term 2

Art and Design Progression Y1-6 Term 3