Art
At St Mary’s, we see Art & Design as an opportunity for every child to discover their unique creative voice and experience the joy of making something meaningful. We believe that creativity flourishes when children are encouraged to be curious, take risks, embrace challenge and work wholeheartedly towards their personal best. Guided by our vision, ‘Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart’, we nurture young artists who are willing to experiment, reflect and grow, understanding that great outcomes are often achieved through perseverance as much as talent. By exploring the rich work of artists, craftspeople and designers from across cultures and throughout history, children develop an appreciation of the impact creativity has on society and the world we share. Through Art & Design, we aim to foster confidence, critical thinking and a lifelong appreciation of creativity, enabling every child to recognise both their own potential and the value of creative expression in all its forms.
To ensure our curriculum is ambitious, progressive and accessible for all learners, we use Kapow Primary to support the teaching and learning of Art & Design. The scheme has been carefully chosen because it provides a well-sequenced curriculum that develops children's knowledge, skills and understanding over time, whilst still allowing creativity and individuality to flourish. Through the strands of generating ideas, making skills, using sketchbooks, learning about artists, and evaluating and analysing artwork, pupils build both technical expertise and artistic confidence. The curriculum is structured to revisit and deepen learning, enabling children to refine their skills, make connections and develop increasingly sophisticated responses to art. Whilst Kapow provides a strong framework for progression, we believe that creativity should never have a ceiling; therefore, children are encouraged to make independent choices, take creative risks and produce outcomes that are personal, meaningful and unique to them. This approach ensures that all pupils are equipped with the knowledge, skills and confidence to work as artists and creators, approaching each opportunity with curiosity, imagination and a commitment to excellence.
