Art and Design

Intent:

At St. Augustine’s Catholic Primary School, we aim to nurture children’s creativity, imagination and ability to express themselves through visual art. Our Art and Design curriculum is designed to inspire pupils to explore, interpret and represent the world around them using a variety of techniques, materials and processes.

We want our pupils to gain a coherent understanding of visual language by studying a diverse range of artists, styles and movements, both from Britain and across the wider world. Through the evaluation of artistic works—both their own and others'—pupils will learn to think critically and reflect meaningfully on the ideas and emotions behind visual expression.

By developing their sketching, painting, sculpture, and mixed media skills, pupils will become confident in experimenting and making creative decisions. Our goal is to support children in recognising the value of the arts in shaping human experience, understanding cultural identity, and appreciating the beauty and function of visual communication in everyday life.

“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” – Pablo Picasso

Characteristics of an Artist at St. Augustine's

• We become Artists by:

  • Producing creative work and exploring ideas. 
  • Becoming proficient in various art, craft, and design techniques. 
  • Evaluating and analysing creative works
  • Using specific art-related language. 
  • Learning about artists, craft makers, and designers, and understanding the historical and cultural development of art forms. 

• Design in Art and Design:

  We, at St Augustine's recognise that even when creating fine art, we must engage in design processes like investigating, recording, experimenting, and refining ideas. Only then we can we work on producing our best piece of art.

We become successful artists when we have:

• The ability to use visual language skilfully and convincingly (for example, line, shape, pattern, colour, texture, form) to express emotions, interpret observations, convey insights and accentuate their individuality.

• The ability to communicate fluently in visual and tactile form.

• The ability to draw confidently and adventurously from observation, memory and imagination.

• The ability to explore and invent marks, develop and deconstruct ideas and communicate perceptively and powerfully through purposeful drawing in 2D, 3D or digital media.

• An impressive knowledge and understanding of other artists, craft makers and designers.

• The ability to think and act like creative practitioners by using their knowledge and understanding to inform, inspire and interpret ideas, observations and feelings.

• Independence, initiative and originality which they can use to develop their creativity.

• The ability to select and use materials, processes and techniques skilfully and inventively to realise intentions and capitalise on the unexpected.

• The ability to reflect on, analyse and critically evaluate their own work and that of others.

• A passion for and a commitment to the subject.

Art & Design (Green) and Design & Technology (Blue) Curriculum Map