Art & Design

“Art has the power to transform, to illuminate, to educate, inspire and motivate”

Harvey Fierstein

At St Joseph’s we believe that children should be allowed to express themselves creatively through their art work.  We strive to create an engaging, inspiring and challenging art and design curriculum that helps the children learn and develop their knowledge and skills in a fun and creative environment.

“Creativity is intelligence having fun.”

Albert Einstein

Art and Design is an important part of the broad and balanced curriculum that provides the children with the opportunity to take part in a range of artistic activities that develop and extend their skills using a range of media and materials. Children will learn the skills of drawing, painting, printing, textiles, collage, 3D work and digital art and have the opportunity to explore and express a range of creative ideas. We inspire the children by introducing them to a range of famous artists and develop their knowledge and understanding of their styles. They will be able to think critically and evaluate pieces of artwork. All children from Year 1 to Year 6 have a sketchbook that follows them through the school and allows them to see the progression in skills they have learnt.

“A picture is a poem without words”

– Horace

The teaching and application of Art and Design curriculum at St Joseph’s is based on the National Curriculum and supported by the Learning Challenge scheme of work. Children are taught Art and Design as part of their termly topic work and it is closely linked wherever possible to either English or one of the foundation subject topics eg. History, Geography or Science. The knowledge and skills that children develop through each topic are mapped out for each year group and ensure they show progression. The focus on knowledge ensures children learn about different artists/crafts people or designers and the context of their art work.  The skills allow the children the opportunity to use their creativity and imagination by developing their drawing, painting, printing, collage, textiles, sculpture and use of media.

In the Summer term we have a Creative Arts week where the children focus on shorter art activities that are not based on the class curriculum. In previous years, the whole school focuses on a particular artist, painting or theme eg nature. This gives the children the opportunity to extend their skills and try a range of different activities. The children really enjoy this week and produce some amazing pieces of art!

Every child is an artist waiting to be discovered and produce a masterpiece.  Our aim is to give children a range of experiences to find their strengths and above all enjoy art, design and technology.

Mrs D Miscia
Art Lead

At St Joseph’s, Art, Design and Technology encourages children to develop the skills, knowledge and understanding to design and make functional products that solve real-life or relevant problems.

Children are given the opportunity to be creative in their designs, make imaginative designs using a range of materials and evaluate their final products. We aim to give children the opportunity to explore and evaluate past and present design technology and encourage them to become resourceful risk-takers and innovators.

The teaching and application of Design & Technology curriculum at St Joseph’s is based on the National Curriculum and supported by the Learning Challenge scheme of work.  The children are taught Design and Technology as part of their termly topic work and it is linked to the Science, History or Geography they are learning about.

The knowledge and skills that children develop through each topic are mapped out for each year group and ensure they show progression. Using creativity and imagination, pupils design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. They acquire a broad range of subject knowledge and draw on disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art.

Through the evaluation of past and present design and technology, our pupils develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens.