Intent: 

• For our children to appreciate experience and engage with all forms the arts. For children to develop the skills within music and art to enable them to access a world of possibilities that music and art can offer them both now and later in their lives.

The national curriculum for Art and Design aims to ensure that all pupils:

• Produce creative work, exploring their ideas and recording their experiences

• Become proficient in drawing, painting, sculpture and other art, craft and design techniques

• Evaluate and analyse creative works using the language of art, craft and design

• Know about great artists, craft makers and designers, and understand the historical and cultural development of their art forms.

At Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School, we aim to deliver rich opportunities for all children to explore their creativity and imagination through both Art and Design. Whilst promoting creativity, we also instil the concept that art and design can provide practical solutions to problems. This nurtures pupils who are resilient, reflective, and independent in their approach to Art and Design, a subject where they can truly express themselves.

Our Art curriculum enables children to express their ideas and thought processes using colour, texture, pattern, line, and form in ways that other curriculum areas may not provide. We value Art as a powerful means of self-expression and communication.

Creativity runs through our entire curriculum. We encourage children to think imaginatively and apply art skills across a range of subjects, making learning memorable and meaningful. Cross-curricular links ensure that creativity is woven through all aspects of learning, from EYFS through to Year 6.

Art at Our Lady’s also stimulates discussion and critical thinking. Pupils develop communication skills as they describe, interpret, and evaluate their own work and that of others. Through whole-school art exhibitions, children can see the artistic journey across year groups, learning to appreciate, critique, and celebrate creativity. This fosters confidence, pride, and a genuine love of art.

We teach that a good artist must be both curious and creative, willing to take risks, make mistakes, and grow through reflection. We promote a growth mindset: mistakes are seen as opportunities to learn.

This year, we have chosen to implement the Grammarsaurus Art Curriculum. It provides a clear, progressive structure of skills that allows pupils to build upon their knowledge and techniques each year. This structured approach ensures continuity, progression, and increasing challenge as pupils move through the school.

Children experience a broad range of media and techniques, often working both independently and collaboratively, developing teamwork, problem-solving, and oracy skills.