Art and Design
“Every child is an Artist.”
Pablo Picasso
At St Pius X, we believe that all children deserve the opportunity to feel confident and proud of themselves within Art. We recognise that our children arrive with diverse starting points, and we are committed to providing the rich, first-hand experiences necessary to ensure they are ready for the demands of the National Curriculum. From Nursery to Year 6, we nurture creativity through the exploration of significant people, artwork and movements.
Intent: Our Vision for Art
Our curriculum is designed to develop children’s proficiency by focusing on their own identity and their ability to manipulate a range of key materials. Our intent is for pupils to:
- Develop Proficiency: Master the use of key materials and the formal elements of art.
- Be Inspired by Greatness: Explore the work of great artists to inform and inspire their own original creations.
- Express Artistic Opinion: Use sophisticated language to evaluate and discuss artwork.
- Generate Original Ideas: Document their journey in sketchbooks, drawing inspiration from diverse sources – ranging from famous artists in Year 2 to literary sources in Year 4.
Implementation: How We Teach
Each module is carefully sequenced to ensure that prior learning is built upon and skills are advanced through deliberate practice.
Vertical Progression
Vertical progression in each discipline is woven into the fabric of the curriculum. This allows pupils to:
- Revisit Disciplines: Engage with key artistic areas throughout their primary journey at increasing degrees of challenge and complexity.
- Document the Process: Use sketchbooks to record their exploration, ideas, and the development of their technical skills.
- Work Artistically: Develop core competencies outlined in our ‘Working Artistically’ section, which focuses on the habits and mindsets of a successful artist.
A Focus on Formal Elements
Teaching is centered around the formal elements of art (such as line, shape, tone and texture). By focusing on these fundamental building blocks, we provide children with the structural knowledge required to create accomplished and meaningful work.
Securing Foundational Skills
We believe that confidence in art is born from a secure grasp of skills and knowledge. We provide the “ready to learn” experiences that underpin artistic success.
| Focus Area | Strategy & Approach |
| Early Experiences | Starting in Nursery, we provide sensory and practical experiences to prepare children for the National Curriculum. |
| Skill Progression | Disciplines are revisited regularly, ensuring that motor skills and technical knowledge (like color mixing or shading) are “locked in.” |
| The Sketchbook | Used as a foundational tool for experimentation, allowing children to make mistakes and refine ideas before creating a final piece. |
| Artistic Vocabulary | Explicitly teaching sophisticated language so children can articulate their thoughts on art with precision. |
Impact: Our Outcomes
Through our structured and ambitious curriculum, pupils at St Pius X become accomplished, confident artists.
- Creative Confidence: Pupils leave our school feeling proud of their work and capable of expressing themselves through different media.
- Developed Understanding: Our children have a deep understanding of art history and the movements that have shaped the world.
- Technical Accomplishment: Students are able to apply the formal elements of art to produce original work of a high standard.
- Artistic Voice: Our pupils are reflective and expressive, equipped with the language and skills to see themselves as artists in their own right.
Our commitment to high-quality art instruction ensures that every child at St Pius X can see the world through an artistic lens and communicate their place within it with clarity and pride.
