Art and Design

"The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance."  Aristotle 

At Our Lady & St Joseph Catholic Primary School, we believe that Art and Design is a powerful means of self-expression, creativity and cultural understanding. Our curriculum is designed to inspire children to become confident, reflective and skilled artists while developing an appreciation of the diverse artistic heritage of Britain and the wider world.

A key feature of our curriculum is our dedicated Art Day, which takes place once each term for every year group. The vision behind Art Day is to provide an immersive and focused experience that nurtures creativity, skill development and critical reflection, fully aligning with the aims of the National Curriculum for Art and Design. By completing five lessons across the day, children engage deeply with the curriculum's core objectives: developing proficiency in artistic techniques, exploring the work of diverse artists and cultures, and evaluating creative works.

Throughout their time at Our Lady & St Joseph, children progressively build and refine their knowledge, skills and understanding across a range of artistic disciplines, including drawing, painting, sculpture and mixed media. This carefully sequenced approach ensures that learning builds over time, creating a clear developmental journey from the Early Years through to the end of Key Stage Two. Sketchbooks are used throughout the school to record observations, experiment with ideas, revisit previous learning and reflect on artistic development.

Children study the work of a wide range of artists, designers and craft makers from different cultures, traditions and historical periods. Through discussion, analysis and evaluation, they develop the vocabulary and confidence needed to express their opinions thoughtfully, while gaining a deeper understanding of how art reflects and shapes society. Opportunities for collaboration, presentation and reflection further strengthen children's communication skills, creativity and critical thinking.

Each Art Day concludes with a self-evaluation and mini-assessment, encouraging children to reflect on their learning, celebrate their achievements and identify next steps. This process not only consolidates prior knowledge but also develops resilience, self-awareness and a growth mindset, helping children to become reflective learners who take pride in their work.

As with all areas of our curriculum, we are committed to ensuring that every child can access and succeed in Art and Design. Through adaptive teaching, carefully planned support and appropriate levels of challenge, learning is tailored to meet the needs of all learners. To support children with SEND and those who may experience anxiety around changes to routine, social stories are shared with families in advance of each Art Day and are revisited by staff in school. This helps children feel prepared, confident and secure, enabling them to fully engage in the experience and enjoy success.

As a result, our children develop creativity, confidence, curiosity and cultural awareness. They leave our school with a strong foundation of artistic knowledge and skills, an appreciation of the value of art and design in society, and the confidence to communicate their ideas, emotions and experiences through visual expression. Most importantly, they develop a lifelong appreciation of creativity and an understanding of how art enriches both individual lives and communities.