At St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School, art and design will be fully inclusive of every child. Our aims are to: fulfil the requirements of the National Curriculum for art and design, provide a broad and balanced curriculum, ensure the progressive development of knowledge and skills, enable children to observe and record from first-hand experience and from imagination, develop the children’s competence in controlling materials and tools, acquire knowledge and become proficient in various art and design techniques and processes, begin to develop an awareness of the visual and tactile elements including; colour, pattern and texture, line and tone, shape, form and space, foster enjoyment and appreciation of the visual arts and develop a knowledge of significant artists, craftspeople and designers, increase critical awareness of the roles and purposes of art and design in different times and cultures and analy

se works using the language of art and design.

It is our intent…

• To engage, inspire and challenge pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art and design.
• That as pupils progress through the school, they begin to think critically and develop a more rigorous understanding of art and design. They should also know how art and design both reflect and shape our history, and contribute to the culture, creativity and wealth of our nation.
• That children produce creative work, exploring their ideas and recording their experiences.
• That pupils become proficient in drawing, painting, sculpture, collage, textiles and printing
• That pupils can evaluate and analyse creative works using the language of art, craft and design.
• That pupils know about great artists, craft makers and designers, and understand the historical and cultural development of their
  art forms

To ensure high standards of teaching and learning in art and design, we implement a curriculum that is progressive throughout the whole school. Art and design is taught as part of a termly topic, focusing on knowledge and skills stated in the National Curriculum.

Skills are revisited so that consolidation can take place and pupils are encouraged to reflect on their own art and that of others.

Subject specific vocabulary is taught and reinforced. The use of this vocabulary is encouraged in all work relating to the critique of art.

Many opportunities for art and design are given outside the specific, progressive art curriculum. These include competitions and work for display.

Within art and design, we strive to instil an appreciation and enjoyment of the arts enriching the children’s learning experience. Our art and design curriculum is high quality, well thought out and is planned to demonstrate progression. We focus on progression of knowledge and skills and discreet vocabulary progression also form part of the units of work.

We measure the impact of our curriculum through the following methods:

• Assessing children’s understanding of topic linked vocabulary.
• Summative assessment of pupil discussions about their learning.
• Images and videos of the children’s practical learning, often accompanied by the child’s own narrated explanation.
• Interviewing the pupils about their learning (pupil voice).
• Teacher assessment of key skills.
• Annual reporting of standards across the curriculum.