Art & Design Intent Statement

At St. Mark’s, we believe Art and Design is an essential part of every child’s education. It offers opportunities for pupils to be creative, express themselves, and explore the world through imagination and visual language. Art encourages curiosity, resilience, and individuality while developing important skills in observation, design, and critical thinking.

Intent

Our Art and Design curriculum aims to engage, inspire, and challenge pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent, and create their own works of art, craft, and design. We want children to become confident and independent artists, able to think critically about their own work and that of others. They learn how art and design reflect and shape our history and contribute to the culture and creativity of our nation and the wider world.

In line with the National Curriculum, pupils:

“Produce creative work, exploring ideas and recording experiences; become proficient in drawing, painting, sculpture and other techniques; evaluate and analyse creative works using the language of art, craft and design; and know about great artists, craft makers and designers, understanding the historical and cultural development of their art forms.”

Implementation

We use the Kapow Primary Art and Design scheme to ensure high-quality, progressive teaching and learning from Early Years to Year 6. Pupils explore a wide range of materials and techniques, study diverse artists and cultures, and develop both practical skills and critical reflection. Sketchbooks are used to record ideas, experimentation, and evaluation. Lessons are inclusive and often link meaningfully to other curriculum areas.

Impact

By the end of Key Stage 2, pupils will have developed a broad range of artistic skills, confidently use artistic vocabulary, and appreciate art’s role in culture and society. Above all, they will find joy in being creative and leave St. Mark’s seeing themselves as artists.