Art and Design at St. Joseph's Catholic Primary School

At St. Joseph's Catholic Primary School, we believe that art and design play a vital role in shaping the well-rounded education of our children. As a Voluntary Aided School, we are committed to nurturing the creative talents and artistic expression of each and every child in our care.

Our Approach to Art and Design

Recently, we have implemented the United Curriculum for Art and Design, which provides our children with a comprehensive and coherent learning experience. This curriculum is designed to ensure that, regardless of their starting point, all our pupils have the opportunity to:

Entitlement: Explore a diverse range of artistic techniques, media, and cultural influences, allowing them to develop their confidence and excel in the field of art.

Coherence: Build a strong foundation of practical knowledge, including the formal elements of art, and gradually develop their understanding and skills as they progress through the key stages.

Mastery: Receive explicit instruction on the core concepts of art, revisiting and applying their knowledge with increasing technical proficiency.

Adaptability: Benefit from a flexible curriculum that can be tailored to our local context, drawing inspiration from artists and artworks that reflect the diversity of our community.

Representation: Engage with historical and contemporary art that celebrates the rich tapestry of human experience and expression.

Bringing Our Vision to Life

At the heart of our art and design curriculum lies our school's mission and Gospel values. We firmly believe that "wherever you are in our school, you will see our mission statement being lived - in class, in the playground and in our interactions and love of each other."

Through the Curriculum, we aim to build and maintain our pupils' confidence as artists, fostering resilience, creativity, and a willingness to take risks. By exploring a wide range of artistic disciplines, our children develop a deep appreciation for the power of art to connect, express, and celebrate our shared humanity.

Assessing Progress and Impact

We prioritise formative assessment in art and design, using sketchbooks and pupil-conferencing to track the progress of our children over time. By closely monitoring their understanding of the core concepts and their ability to apply their knowledge in various contexts, we can ensure that our pupils are keeping up with the curriculum and making meaningful progress.

Additionally, we employ low-stakes summative assessments to gauge the retention of essential knowledge, allowing us to address any gaps or misconceptions before moving forward.

At St. Joseph's, we are committed to providing our children with a rich and engaging art and design education that aligns with our school's vision and values. By nurturing their creativity and artistic abilities, we aim to empower our pupils to become confident, well-rounded individuals who can positively contribute to our school community and the world beyond.