Click on the sections below to explore and learn more about the Art curriculum at St Mary’s.
Intent: Why we teach Art
At St Mary’s, we believe that a high-quality art education should inspire creativity, self-expression, and a lifelong appreciation for the visual world. Our carefully designed curriculum aims to nurture each pupil’s curiosity and confidence in exploring artistic ideas, materials, and techniques. Through art, we intend to equip pupils with the skills to express their thoughts and feelings visually while developing an understanding of diverse artistic styles, cultural heritage, and the role of art in society. As students progress, their growing appreciation and knowledge of art will deepen their ability to interpret and respond to the world around them. Our curriculum emphasizes creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration, encouraging pupils to explore how art reflects and shapes human experience.
Implementation: How we teach Art
Art at St Mary’s is taught in structured blocks throughout the year, ensuring pupils have focused time to develop and refine their skills. Lessons follow a progressive curriculum informed by our Art Progression Document, aligned with the EYFS Statutory Framework and the National Curriculum. Each lesson builds on prior knowledge, allowing pupils to develop mastery over different techniques, materials, and concepts.
Pupils explore a variety of media, including drawing, painting, sculpture, textiles, and digital art. Artistic concepts are revisited throughout the curriculum, enabling pupils to embed their learning in long-term memory. Emphasis is placed on developing a rich artistic vocabulary, encouraging pupils to articulate their ideas and critique their work and that of others with confidence.
Our curriculum introduces pupils to key artists, movements, and cultural contexts, beginning with local art and artists before expanding to national and global perspectives. This helps pupils make connections between art and the wider world, fostering an understanding of how art reflects cultural identity and societal change.
Planning ensures that lessons are inclusive and accessible to all pupils, with differentiation and support in place to meet diverse needs. Opportunities for greater depth are integrated into lessons, challenging pupils to experiment, innovate, and reflect on their creative choices.
In the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), pupils are encouraged to explore materials and express themselves freely within the framework of ‘Expressive Arts and Design’ (EAD). Their experiences help build the foundation for creative thinking and technical skills that will be developed in later years.
Impact: What Art gives to our children
Through our art curriculum, pupils at St Mary’s gain a range of creative and critical skills that enhance their overall learning experience. We ensure that pupils are exposed to rich, meaningful artistic experiences that aim to:
- Expand vocabulary and visual literacy: Pupils learn and apply a range of artistic terms and concepts, building confidence in discussing and evaluating art.
- Develop creativity and problem-solving skills: Art provides opportunities for pupils to explore, take risks, and make independent choices.
- Foster collaboration and communication: Pupils engage in group projects, discussions, and critiques, building teamwork and reflective thinking.
- Promote cultural awareness and appreciation: Pupils are introduced to diverse artistic traditions and works, developing an understanding of art’s role in society and cultural heritage.
- Encourage aspiration and future opportunities: By learning about careers in the arts and creative industries, pupils are inspired to see how artistic skills can lead to a variety of future pathways.
- Build confidence and well-being: Art encourages self-expression and mindfulness, contributing to pupils’ emotional and mental well-being.
Assessment in art is ongoing, with teachers using observations and pupil work to inform future lessons and ensure progress. In EYFS, pupils’ creative development is tracked through their online learning journeys on Tapestry. Pupil voice is central to our approach, with regular opportunities for self-assessment, peer feedback, and reflection, ensuring that pupils are actively engaged in their learning and growth as artists.
By the end of their time at St Mary’s, pupils will have developed a strong foundation in art, ready to engage with the visual world confidently and creatively in their next stage of education.
Mrs Morton is out Art Subject Leader.
