Art and Design

Intent
Expression through Creativity

At St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, we believe that Art and Design is a powerful form of expression that enables every child to explore, develop and communicate their creativity. Through a rich and inspiring curriculum, we nurture pupils' imagination, confidence and individuality, encouraging them to take creative risks and develop their own artistic voice.

We aim for all children to become confident artists who can experiment with a wide range of media, techniques and processes, including drawing, painting, sculpture, collage, printing, textiles and mixed media. Pupils develop the knowledge and skills needed to create, evaluate and refine their work whilst gaining an appreciation of significant artists, designers and craftspeople from different cultures, traditions and periods in history.

Through artistic expression, pupils are encouraged to reflect on their thoughts, emotions and beliefs, developing self-awareness, resilience and confidence. We foster curiosity, creativity and a lifelong appreciation of the visual arts while helping children understand how art can inspire, challenge and reflect the world around them.

Implementation

At St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Art and Design is taught for three half-terms each year, alternating with Design and Technology. We use the Kapow Primary Art and Design scheme to provide a carefully sequenced curriculum that develops artistic knowledge, technical skills and creative confidence over time.

The curriculum enables pupils to:

Explore drawing, painting, sculpture, craft and digital art.
Develop technical skills through experimentation and practice.
Study and evaluate the work of significant artists, designers and makers.
Generate, refine and develop their own creative ideas.
Use sketchbooks to record observations, practise techniques and reflect on their learning.
Discuss, present and evaluate artwork using age-appropriate artistic vocabulary.
Reflect on and critique their own work and the work of others with confidence and respect.

Learning is enriched through opportunities such as visits, exhibitions and engagement with high-quality artwork. An annual whole-school art exhibition celebrates pupils' creativity and provides opportunities to share their work with others and take pride in their achievements.

Lessons are adapted to meet the needs of all learners, ensuring appropriate support and challenge so that every child can achieve success and flourish creatively.

Impact

The impact of our Art and Design curriculum is seen in confident, creative and reflective learners who value artistic expression and understand its significance within faith, culture and society.

Through the Kapow curriculum, pupils progressively develop the knowledge, skills and vocabulary required by the National Curriculum while cultivating creativity, independence, critical thinking and effective communication skills. They learn to discuss and evaluate artwork thoughtfully, justify their artistic choices and present their ideas with increasing confidence.

Sketchbooks/portfolios (KS2) and curated evidence (KS1) show a clear journey from idea generation to experimentation, refinement and final outcomes, with annotations that capture intent, process and evaluation.
Ongoing assessment is embedded in lessons through observation, discussion, critique and review against success criteria aligned to National Curriculum expectations; teachers capture strengths and next steps to inform subsequent teaching.
Vocabulary progression is evident in how pupils describe techniques, processes and effects, and how they justify choices in relation to artists studied and the formal elements.
Showcasing and celebration (displays, assemblies, digital galleries) promote pride, cultural capital and audience‑aware presentation, reinforcing the aim to engage, inspire and challenge pupils.

By the time pupils leave St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, they will:

Demonstrate confidence and enjoyment when creating artwork.
Use a range of materials, techniques and processes effectively.
Show creativity, imagination and originality in their work.
Understand and discuss the work of significant artists, designers and craftspeople.
Reflect thoughtfully on their own work and provide constructive feedback to others.
Retain and apply artistic knowledge and skills across the curriculum.
Work independently and collaboratively to create finished pieces.
Achieve age-related expectations in Art and Design.
Appreciate the role of art in faith, culture, history and contemporary society.
Communicate ideas effectively, using artistic vocabulary and respectful discussion.
Show respect for different viewpoints, cultures and artistic traditions, preparing them to be active and responsible citizens in modern Britain.

Oracy in Art and Design

At St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Art and Design provides rich opportunities for pupils to develop their oracy skills through discussion, presentation and evaluation. Children are encouraged to explain their artistic choices, justify creative decisions and reflect on their learning using increasingly sophisticated artistic vocabulary. Through collaborative projects, peer critiques and class discussions, pupils learn to listen attentively, respond respectfully to the opinions of others and articulate their own ideas with confidence. These experiences help children become effective communicators who can share their thinking clearly and thoughtfully.

Catholic Ethos

Art and Design plays an important role in nurturing pupils' appreciation of the beauty, wonder and diversity of God's creation. Through exploring religious art, symbolism and imagery, children develop an understanding of how faith has inspired artists throughout history and across cultures. Pupils are encouraged to use their God-given talents creatively, reflecting on Gospel values, human dignity and stewardship of the world around them. Through artistic expression, children learn to celebrate their uniqueness, appreciate the gifts of others and recognise creativity as a means of praising God and deepening their spiritual awareness.

British Values

The Art and Design curriculum actively promotes British Values by encouraging pupils to express their individual ideas while respecting the views and creativity of others. Through studying artists, designers and craftspeople from a wide range of cultures, backgrounds and historical periods, children develop mutual respect, tolerance and an appreciation of diversity. Opportunities for creative choice and self-expression foster individual liberty, whilst collaborative activities, discussions and exhibitions promote democratic participation and the valuing of different perspectives. Pupils also develop an understanding of responsibility, ownership and the respectful use of creative work, helping them become thoughtful, respectful and active citizens in modern Britain.