ST THOMAS
CE (VC) PRIMARY SCHOOL
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ART
Our Vision for Art at St Thomas
At St Thomas, we believe that Art is a vital part of a child’s education, inspiring creativity, self-expression, and confidence. Our carefully designed curriculum ensures that all children, including those with SEND and disadvantaged backgrounds, have the opportunity to develop a deep understanding and appreciation of a broad range of artistic techniques, styles, and cultural influences. We aim to nurture artistic skills progressively, fostering curiosity, imagination, and a love for visual expression.
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INTENT
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Art is fully inclusive at St Thomas, and we value it as an essential part of a broad and balanced curriculum. It provides opportunities for children to develop and extend skills, express their individual interests, thoughts, and ideas, and explore different creative processes. A high-quality Art curriculum should engage, inspire, and challenge pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent, and create their own works of art. As pupils progress, they will develop a more critical and rigorous understanding of Art and Design, recognising its historical, cultural, and societal significance.
Our aims are to:
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Ensure the progressive development of practical, theoretical, and discipline-based knowledge.
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Enable children to observe and record from first-hand experience and imagination.
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Develop competence in controlling materials and tools, becoming proficient in various art techniques.
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Foster enjoyment and appreciation of the visual arts.
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Develop knowledge of significant artists, craftspeople, and designers.
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Increase critical awareness of the roles and purposes of art in different times and cultures.
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IMPLEMENTATION
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The teaching and implementation of the Art and Design curriculum at St Thomas follow the national curriculum and are linked to Cornerstones-Curriculum Maestro, ensuring a well-structured approach.
We implement a curriculum that is progressive across all year groups. Art is taught termly, and teachers have the flexibility to deliver lessons weekly or in dedicated blocks. Lesson planning is informed by the National Curriculum, Cornerstones resources, and our progression of knowledge and skills documents. These ensure comprehensive coverage and a clear progression of artistic abilities.
A variety of teaching approaches are used, incorporating children’s interests to make learning engaging and balanced. Art also provides opportunities for deeper learning for more able pupils through investigation, analysis, and extended pieces of work.
To enrich learning further:
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EYFS: Pupils explore media and materials through a mix of child-initiated and adult-led activities, with outdoor learning supporting large-scale and natural resource-based art.
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KS1: Pupils explore visual, tactile, and sensory materials to develop their understanding of Art and Design.
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KS2: Pupils develop their creativity, imagination, and understanding of artistic techniques and materials.
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Educational Visits: Teachers plan additional learning outside the classroom, such as gallery visits and artist workshops.
A Broad and Ambitious Curriculum
Our Art curriculum equips children with knowledge and skills to confidently explore different artistic techniques. We focus on:
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Drawing – Line, shape, tone, and texture using varied media.
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Painting – Colour mixing, brush techniques, and diverse painting styles.
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Printmaking – Techniques including block printing, mono-printing, and relief printing.
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Sculpture and 3D Art – Clay, wire, and mixed materials for three-dimensional creations.
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Textiles and Collage – Fabric, stitching, layering, and mixed-media work.
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Art History and Appreciation – Studying influential artists, movements, and diverse cultures.
Inclusive and Adaptive Learning
Art at St Thomas is inclusive, with adaptations to support SEND learners. We provide tactile, visual, and scaffolded learning approaches to meet all needs.
Celebrating Art Across the School
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Whole-School Art Displays – Showcasing artwork to highlight skill progression and creativity.
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Local Artist Partnerships – Collaborating with artists and galleries to enhance learning.
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Annual Art Exhibitions – Celebrating student artwork with families.
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Cross-Curricular Links – Embedding Art into history, science, and literacy topics.
Encouraging Pupil Voice
We actively involve children in shaping their art education. Pupil surveys, feedback sessions, and collaborative projects ensure lessons are engaging and relevant.
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Examples of Art Projects at St Thomas
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Reception & Key Stage 1: Kandinsky-inspired circle paintings exploring colour mixing.
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Key Stage 2: Clay sculptures inspired by ancient Greek art.
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Whole School Collaborative Project: A large-scale mural showcasing different artistic styles.
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Cross-Curricular Link: Illustrating historical events using detailed sketching and painting techniques.
IMPACT
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Our curriculum leads to outstanding progress across key stages, relative to each child's starting point. Evidence of impact includes:
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Increased enthusiasm and confidence in Art, measured through pupil voice and sketchbook progress.
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High-quality artwork displayed around the school and during exhibitions.
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Development of artistic vocabulary and critical understanding through discussions and reflections.
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Support for children needing additional help, with planned interventions and strategies.
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Celebration of achievements through displays, corridor showcases, and digital platforms like Seesaw.
We measure impact through:
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Assessing children’s understanding of vocabulary before and after units.
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Summative assessment of pupil discussions and feedback.
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Sharing images and videos of practical learning on Seesaw.
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Moderation staff meetings to review sketchbooks and classroom work.
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Annual curriculum reporting and pupil interviews.
Get Involved
We welcome parents and the wider community to join us in celebrating Art at St Thomas. If you would like to participate in workshops, volunteer, or contribute to exhibitions, please get in touch!
For more information, contact our Art Lead at Lucystoker@stthomas.org.uk
