Art & Design

Art Intent

The intent of the Art curriculum at St. Aidan’s Church of England Primary School is to inspire and engage pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent, and create their own works of art. It aims to foster creativity, imagination, and self-expression while developing children’s understanding of visual language, materials, and techniques.

Through exposure to a diverse range of artists and cultural traditions, pupils learn to appreciate and critically evaluate art, deepening their cultural awareness.

The curriculum also encourages perseverance, reflection, and confidence, laying the foundation for a lifelong appreciation of the visual arts and nurturing individual artistic potential.

Art Aims

The art curriculum at St. Aidan’s aims to develop children’s creativity, imagination, and cultural awareness through a broad and balanced range of artistic activities. It encourages pupils to explore and experiment with different materials, techniques, and styles, fostering their ability to express ideas and emotions visually.

The curriculum emphasises the importance of building skills progressively, enabling children to gain confidence and competence in drawing, painting, sculpture, and other art forms.

Additionally, it seeks to nurture an appreciation of both historical and contemporary artists, helping pupils understand the role of art in different cultures and societies.

Central principles include promoting creativity, critical thinking, and personal expression, while ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for all learners. Overall, the curriculum aims to inspire a lifelong enjoyment and engagement with the visual arts.

Art Implementation

At St. Aidan’s, the implementation of the art curriculum involves a structured approach to developing students’ creativity, skills, and appreciation for various art forms.

Teachers begin by familiarising themselves with the curriculum’s objectives, which emphasize creativity, cultural awareness, and technical skills across different media such as drawing, painting, sculpture, and digital art. Lesson plans are designed to progressively build students’ knowledge and abilities from foundational techniques to more complex projects. The children use a range of resources and materials that support hands-on learning and encourage experimentation.

Assessment focuses not only on the final artwork but also on the creative process, problem-solving, and reflection.

Collaboration with local artists, community projects, and art exhibitions often supplement classroom activities, enriching students’ experiences.

Throughout the implementation, ongoing professional development ensures teachers remain confident and innovative in delivering the curriculum, fostering a positive and inclusive environment where every child can express themselves artistically.

Art Impact

The implementation of the art curriculum has significantly enhanced students’ creative development and cultural awareness.

By providing a structured framework, it ensures that all pupils receive consistent exposure to various art forms, fostering imagination and self-expression from an early age. The curriculum encourages the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills through hands-on activities and exploration of different techniques.

Additionally, it promotes inclusivity by integrating diverse cultural perspectives, helping children appreciate global artistic heritage.

Teachers benefit from clear guidelines and resources, improving the quality and delivery of art education. Overall, the curriculum plays a crucial role in nurturing well-rounded individuals who value creativity as part of their personal and academic growth.

Spirituality in Art

Spirituality weaves through every aspect of life at St. Aidan’s, permeating our vision, culture, and daily practices. Our pupils have enquiring minds and want to learn about themselves, others and the world.

Through our ambitious and broad curriculum, children have opportunities to ignite their interests and talents. Rich spiritual opportunities exist across the art curriculum for all children.

Art provides a unique platform for our children to express their emotions, thoughts, and spiritual experiences in a creative and imaginative manner. Through various artistic mediums such as drawing, painting, and crafting, our children can explore themes of self-discovery, empathy, and a sense of wonder. Teachers encourage our children to reflect on their personal beliefs, values, and connections to nature through artistic expression. This approach fosters a nurturing environment where young individuals can begin to understand and appreciate the spiritual aspects of their lives, promoting a holistic development that goes beyond the confines of traditional academic subjects. Through art, our pupils embark on a journey of self-expression and self-discovery, laying the foundation for a lifelong connection between spirituality and creative exploration.

The art curriculum has been designed with many opportunities for spiritual development in mind.

▪ The work of creative artists from a variety of times and places.

▪ Beauty, truth and goodness.

▪ Expressing, interpreting and exploring deep feelings and profound beliefs.

▪ Artistic creativity.

▪ The effects of the arts on emotions and senses.

▪ The arts as means of expressing mood.

▪ Skill in creation and performance, and particularly in personal reflection upon their own creativity using various art forms.

▪ Personal response and preference.

▪ Mood, Skill, Pattern, Formulae.

▪ The sense of fulfilment and transcendence through performance.

Art & Design Curriculum Overview