At Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School and Nursery, we want children to develop a lifelong love of art, craft and design. Our curriculum inspires creativity, ambition and self-expression, equipping pupils with the knowledge and skills to experiment, create and succeed. Through studying artists and artistic techniques, pupils gain an understanding of how art reflects and shapes history, culture and the wider world, preparing them for future opportunities and experiences.

• Our Art and Design curriculum is based on the National Curriculum, and is informed by Access Art’s ‘split’ curriculum 

• Each child has a sketchbook.  We give the child ownership of their sketchbook in order to foster their sense of creativity.  Children use their sketchbooks to make initial sketches, develop skills, record ideas and develop opinions.

• Opportunities to reflect and develop, including through the use of sketchbooks, and moments for self and peer-assessment are planned for each unit of study in KS1 and KS2.

• Throughout their Sacred Heart journey, every child is given the opportunity to learn the skills of drawing, painting, printing, collage, sculpture and digital art through the exploration of an initial key artist, craft maker or designer and their work.

• Through in-depth discussion, the pupils explore how their art can share commonalities with famous art and use subject-specific vocabulary to discuss key artworks and their own work.

• In the development of confident art critics, the pupils share their opinions and make informed observations about what will improve their own practical work.

• Cross-curricular links are promoted to allow all children to deepen their understanding across the curriculum, including the use of technology, and artworks from year group specific historical, geographical and scientific contexts.

• Opportunities for children to visit local art galleries and museums are planned, as well as visits from local artists.

• Teachers follow a clear progression of skills which ensures all pupils are challenged in line with their year group expectations and are given the opportunity to build on their prior knowledge and skills.

• Effective CPD and standardisation opportunities are available to staff to ensure high levels of confidence and knowledge are maintained.

Our Art curriculum enables all pupils to make strong progress from their starting points, achieving age-related expectations in Art and Design. Pupils develop artistic knowledge, skills and creativity, while growing in confidence and enthusiasm for the subject. Achievement is celebrated through sketchbooks, final outcomes, pupil voice and displays, fostering pride, appreciation and a lifelong enjoyment of art.