Art and Design

Art and design form an important part of our curriculum. We believe art and design education stimulates creativity and imagination. Here at St James’ C of E infant and Nursery School, children are given the opportunity to use a range of materials to draw, paint and create sculptures. We follow the Kapow Primary Art and Design scheme. This aims to inspire pupils and develop their confidence to experiment and invent their own works of art. By teaching the units from this scheme, ensures the curriculum is covered and the skills/knowledge taught is progressive from early years through to year two and therefore prepared to transition into the next key stage. We aim to give pupils every opportunity to develop their ability, nurture their talent and interests, express their ideas and thoughts about the world, as well as learn about art and artists across cultures and through history.

The units taught within the Kapow scheme are sequential, allowing children to build their skills and knowledge applying them to a range of outcomes. The formal elements of art is a key part which is woven throughout all the units taught. Over the years, the key skills taught are revisited again and again with increasing complexity allowing children to build on their previous learning. The units in each year group are divided into four core areas:

Drawing
Painting and mixed-media
Sculpture and 3D
Craft and Design

The art lessons we teach are practical in nature where we encourage experimental and exploratory learning with pupils using sketchbooks to document their ideas. By the time children finish St James’ they will be proficient in drawing, painting, sculpture and other art, craft and design techniques. They will also know about great artists and the historical and cultural development of their art.

Our Art Subject Leader is Mrs Joanne Cocksedge.