At St. James CE Primary School, our Art and Design curriculum is rooted in our Christian vision of “Life in all its Fullness” (John 10:10). We believe that art enables children to express themselves, explore their creativity and develop an appreciation of the diverse ways in which people communicate ideas, beliefs and experiences. Through a rich and ambitious curriculum, pupils learn to see themselves as artists, developing confidence, imagination and the ability to respond thoughtfully to the world around them.
Our curriculum is underpinned by the principles of Teach, Nurture and Celebrate.
We Teach knowledge and skills through the carefully sequenced CUSP Art and Design curriculum. The curriculum is organised around the disciplines of drawing, painting, printmaking, textiles, collage and 3D sculpture, enabling pupils to revisit and develop their artistic skills over time with increasing complexity and sophistication. Children learn about the key elements of art, including shape, line, colour, value, form, texture and space, while developing their ability to think and work creatively. Through carefully sequenced learning, pupils acquire technical knowledge, artistic vocabulary and practical skills that allow them to experiment, refine and communicate their ideas effectively.
Art at St. James is about much more than creating finished pieces. Through the CUSP approach to Working Artistically, pupils learn to observe, reflect, evaluate and discuss their own work and the work of others using specialist artistic language. They develop the confidence to explain their thinking, respond to feedback and refine their ideas, helping them grow as independent and reflective artists.
We Nurture a sense of love and hope in ourselves and others by exploring the rich diversity of artistic traditions, cultures and creative expression across the world. Our curriculum celebrates artists, designers, craftspeople and makers from a wide range of backgrounds, cultures and time periods. Children learn that art is a universal form of human expression and discover how different societies use art to tell stories, communicate beliefs, express emotions and celebrate identity.
Through studies that include influences from indigenous art, West African Kente textiles, Hindu and Buddhist mandalas, abstract art, surrealism, cubism, textile traditions and contemporary sculpture, pupils develop an appreciation of how art reflects the diversity of our world. They learn that creativity is not confined to one culture, country or period of history, and that artistic inspiration can be found across all communities and continents. These experiences help children develop respect for different perspectives, traditions and ways of seeing the world.
We Celebrate achievements and enquiring minds by providing exciting opportunities for pupils to showcase their creativity and experience art beyond the classroom. Enrichment is a key aspect of our curriculum and enables children to immerse themselves in large-scale collaborative projects that bring the arts to life.
A highlight of our enrichment programme is our whole-school Art Festival, held every three years, with the most recent festival taking place in 2025. Over three dedicated days, pupils work alongside staff, artists and one another to explore a shared artistic theme through a range of media and creative experiences. These events provide memorable opportunities for collaboration, experimentation and celebration, culminating in large-scale exhibitions of pupil work.
Throughout the curriculum, children are encouraged to take creative risks, explore different materials and techniques, and make personal artistic choices. They learn that art is a process of exploration and discovery, where mistakes can lead to new ideas and where individual interpretation is valued. We celebrate originality, perseverance and imagination, recognising that every child has the potential to develop as an artist.
Through our Art and Design curriculum, pupils leave St. James with a secure understanding of artistic techniques, an appreciation of diverse artistic traditions and cultures, and the confidence to express themselves creatively. By developing curiosity, creativity and an appreciation of beauty in the world around them, we equip children to flourish as imaginative, reflective and culturally aware individuals, living life in all its fullness.