At St Mary’s, our curriculum is rooted in our four core values: Faith, Challenge, Pride and Success, with Christ at the centre of all we do.

Our curriculum is ambitious for every pupil, including those with SEND and those who are disadvantaged. We recognise that Art and Design embodies “some of the highest forms of human creativity” (National Curriculum) and plays a vital role in developing the whole child.

Our Art curriculum nurtures creativity, curiosity and confidence. It challenges, engages and inspires pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design.

The curriculum is carefully structured around eight key concepts, which are revisited and built upon progressively across the year groups:

We place equal importance on three types of knowledge, with crucial learning identified and sequenced within each:

Theoretical knowledge
Pupils learn about artists, designers and craft makers, as well as artistic movements, styles and cultural influences. They develop subject vocabulary and understand the historical and cultural significance of art.

Practical knowledge
Pupils develop technical skills and gain experience using a wide range of materials, tools and techniques. They learn to experiment, refine and develop their work over time.

Disciplinary knowledge
Pupils learn to think and work as artists. They evaluate, reflect, make creative decisions and understand the artistic process from initial ideas through to final outcomes.

Through this carefully sequenced curriculum, pupils develop the confidence and skills to express themselves creatively and take pride in their achievements.