Subject Intent

In St Martin’s School we aim to deliver a high quality art and design curriculum which engages, inspires and challenges all pupils. We equip them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design. Children are encouraged to think critically to develop a rigorous understanding of the subject as well as an understanding of how art and design has shaped our history and contributed to the culture, creativity and wealth of our nation. Most importantly, we want them to foster a positive, life-long relationship with the subject and have fun. We want our children to know that they are artists, craft makers and designers!

Implementation

The foundation of our art, craft and design curriculum is taken directly from the Early Learning Goals and the National Curriculum. With the exception of Early Years, our children all use sketchbooks to document their learning and creative journeys; where they have the opportunity to record, review and revisit their ideas. We feel these are a vital part of developing our children to work as artists, craft makers and designers.

Children at St Martin’s are given the practical knowledge to explore drawing, painting and sculpture as specified in the National Curriculum as well as printing and textiles. Children revisit and develop these skills throughout their time at St Martins. Each unit of work begins with an art stimulus followed by a drawing skills focus and an ideas development focus leading to a final outcome.

The second domain of knowledge in the art and design curriculum is theoretical knowledge. This enables pupils to make connections between artist’s past, present and future. Our curriculum allows children to become aware of a range of artists, from past to present day, local and worldwide as well as traditional and contemporary forms of art, craft and design.