Art & Design
Created to create
At St. George’s Church of England Primary School, Art and Design is a place where creativity is treasured as part of our God-given nature. We see every child as a unique maker, capable of shaping ideas, expressing feelings, and bringing beauty into the world. Inspired by our Christian vision that all may “have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10), we treat artistic expression as an essential pathway to human flourishing. Through thoughtful Calling Questions and Spiritual Prompts, pupils explore how their talents can serve others, reflect their identity, and spark a sense of awe at the richness of God’s creation.
A practice of curiosity, craftsmanship, and critique
The curriculum is built around three strands of knowledge: practical knowledge (how to use materials and techniques), theoretical knowledge (understanding artists, movements, and cultural contexts), and disciplinary knowledge (thinking and behaving like an artist through reflection, analysis, and refinement). These strands are closely aligned to the National Curriculum for Art and Design and informed by Ofsted’s Research Review: Art and Design, which highlights the importance of balancing substantive and disciplinary knowledge.
From drawing and painting to sculpture, printmaking, textiles, photography, and digital media, pupils explore a broad spectrum of artistic tools and processes. They encounter artists, architects, and designers from diverse cultures and time periods, recognising art as a dialogue between maker, viewer, and society. Learning sequences are carefully planned so that core techniques are revisited and refined over time. Early mark-making evolves into more sophisticated mixed-media compositions through deliberate practice, repetition, and thoughtful experimentation. Sketchbooks are used to explore ideas, document processes, and develop visual memory, encouraging pupils to value both process and outcome.
Inclusive, intentional, and inspiring
All pupils are supported to access, enjoy, and succeed in Art and Design. Teaching is inclusive, with skills modelled clearly, vocabulary introduced systematically, and learning supported through visual prompts, scaffolded activities, and adapted materials. Pupils with additional needs benefit from structured experimentation and sensory engagement, while those working at greater depth extend their thinking through independent responses, justification of creative decisions, and mastery of advanced techniques.
Children are encouraged to see themselves as artists from the outset. Whether gaining confidence with basic skills or developing a personal style, pupils are guided to take creative risks, evaluate their decisions, and grow in artistic autonomy. Teaching draws consistently on St. George’s six pedagogical principles: modelling, purposeful rehearsal, responsive feedback, deliberate practice, rich questioning, and reflective opportunities.
Art as reflection, expression, and encounter
Art and Design fosters both contemplation and courage. It offers children the chance to explore identity, respond to the world’s complexity, and encounter something greater than themselves through creative expression. Spiritual development is embedded, prompting pupils to consider questions such as: How can I express something invisible through colour or shape? How can art bring healing, hope, or joy? What does beauty mean, and who decides?
Pupils’ work is celebrated through exhibitions, collaborative projects, and links with local galleries and cultural organisations. They engage with professional artists and experience art in authentic contexts, enriching their understanding of creative practice.
By the time they leave St. George’s, pupils possess a rich vocabulary, a deep understanding of materials and processes, and a portfolio of work that reflects their voice and vision. More importantly, they leave with the confidence to create, the humility to reflect, and the ability to see the world as a place of possibility and meaning.