"You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have." Maya Angelou
Art
Our intent is to provide an inclusive educational experience accessible to all students, maximising their artistic abilities and academic achievements in all aspects of Art and Design. We support pupils' creativity, nurturing their curiosity alongside the study or artists and the development of skills. We believe in teaching lessons that reflect our values:
Joy – by extending their appreciation of Art through topics, lessons and visits.
Kindness and Respect – by exploring the work of different artists and craft makers
Perseverance – by offering a curriculum that allows the revisiting of skills, building on what children have already learnt and developed.
Wisdom – by planning opportunities for pupils to reflect on and evaluate their work
At St James, we aim to develop:
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Creative Proficiency: Developing mastery in techniques such as drawing, painting, sculpture, printing, and collage
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Technical Knowledge: Understanding the elements of art: line, shape, form, value, space, texture, and colour
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Critical Evaluation: Cultivating the ability to analyse and discuss their own work and the work of others, developing a visual language
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Individual Expression: Using art to explore ideas, record experiences, and express personal, social, and emotional thoughts
We teach Art through:
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Inspiring and practical projects within a carefully planned curriculum, designed to develop skills and build on previous learning
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Linking work to other curricular subject areas, such as Mathematics, Science, Computing
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Exploring both contemporary and historic artworks from of a range of artists, designers and cultures
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Competitions e.g. The Royal Academy
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An annual STEAM week
Design and Technology
Our intent is to encourage the children to learn, to think and intervene creatively to solve problems both as individuals and as members of a team. We believe through DT lessons, pupils learn how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens that reflect our values:
Joy – through active, hands-on and well-designed lessons to spark delight and pride
Kindness and Respect – by recognising the amazing achievements of designers, engineers and inventors and the continued impact they have on our lives
Perseverance – encouraging the children to learn to think and intervene creatively to solve problems both as individuals and as members of a team.
Wisdom – the ability to act as responsible designers and makers, working ethically, using finite materials carefully and working safely
At St James, we aim to develop:
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Design Process Knowledge: Planning, designing, making, and evaluating products to solve specific problems for users
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Technical Knowledge and Understanding: Understanding materials, mechanisms, electrical systems, and the properties of food
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Critical Evaluation: Testing and refining products, and evaluating the impact of design on daily life
We teach DT through:
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Real life projects that resonate with the children
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Linking work to other curricular subject areas, such as Mathematics, Science and Computing
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The use of the Kapow scheme of work alongside individually planned topics
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Homework and half term projects to take part in competitions outside of school
