Art & Design

Art and Design at St Gerard’s Catholic Primary School

Vision Statement for Art and Design

“Art is not just a subject to learn, but an activity that you can practise with your hands, your eyes, your whole personality.”

– Quentin Blake, Illustrator.

We understand that each and every child is unique and encourage children to showcase their wonderful personalities through different art mediums.

Intent

Through the teaching of art and design, we intend our children to gain knowledge and learn important skills that they can take with them through to adulthood. We want to encourage a supportive environment where pupils become relaxed and proud to showcase their creative work and understand that art is subjective, meaning people will have differing opinions.

We would also like children to learn about various artists/designers/craft makers from around the world, both well known historical and modern creatives alike. By teaching the children key art skills and industry knowledge, we hope that the children aspire to achieve their own personal success. We realise the importance of vocational subjects and realise that creative skills can contribute to the development of a life-long love of learning. We encourage children to become an artist from the moment they enter our school and instil an attitude of always trying their best. Staff teach the children that we may have preferences for different styles and techniques, but experimentation and mistakes are an important factor to build confidence and resilience. By becoming resilient and open to advice from staff and peers, the children are gaining life skills that will equip them for challenges that they will encounter in their next stage of education and into working life.

Implementation

Following the CUSP curriculum we intend to provide children with the opportunity to explore the disciplines of:

Drawing
Painting
Printmaking
Textiles
3D
Collage

Working artistically through

Shape
Line
Colour
Value
Form
Texture
Space

In order to implement the above, each child is equipped with:

A sketchbook, which allows the progression of skills, planning their artwork as well as evaluating it.

Impact

Pupils leave St Gerard’s equipped to successfully think, work and communicate like an artist. All children build upon skills in shape, line, colour, value, form, texture and space through a myriad of media and incredible artists.