Art and design stimulates creativity and imagination. It provides visual, tactile and sensory experiences and a special way of understanding and responding to the world, which is fundamental for children at St Robert Southwell Catholic Primary School. ​

It enables children to communicate what they see, feel and think, through the use of colour, texture, form, pattern and different materials and processes without the pressures of the written or spoken word. ​

Children become involved in shaping their environments through art and design activities. Participating in a range of art forms, helps children to become creative, responsive, critical and appreciative. They discover the value of focus, discipline and practice and the importance of working collaboratively. ​

Working as artists themselves and responding to the work of other artists, helps them to develop an appreciation of aesthetics and enables insights into different viewpoints, identities and cultures.

At St Robert Southwell Catholic Primary School, our curriculum is based on good quality resources and allocated time for Art lessons. Art plays an important role across the whole school curriculum. It is principally cross-curricular, and every subject uses it for visual imagery. The children benefit greatly from the visual and tactile approaches in art related activities. The skills and knowledge developed through art are interlaced across planning and teaching to support learning in the whole curriculum.​ We have also introduced a skills progression as the basis for our curriculum planning in Art and Design.

At St. Robert Southwell Catholic Primary School, we aim to offer opportunities for children to:

• Foster an understanding and enjoyment of art, craft and design
• Develop and encourage creativity and imagination through experimenting with a range of different tools and materials
• Become proficient in drawing, painting, sculpture and other art, craft and design techniques
• Develop use of a range of tools, media and processes
• Evaluate and analyse creative works using the language of art, craft and design
• Know about great artists, craft makers and designers
• Understand the historical and cultural development of their art forms
• Develop their ability to observe, investigate, respond to and record the world around them through a growing variety of forms and media

Art lessons and activities are carefully planned and taught across the school. They are designed to teach children new skills as well as build on their prior knowledge.

While we give children of all abilities the opportunity to develop their skills, knowledge and understanding, we also plan progression into the scheme of work, so that there is an increasing challenge for the children as they move up through the school.​

Children at St Robert Southwell Catholic Primary School will learn about how the arts are created and enjoyed today, how they have changed over time and the contribution they make to our lives and culture. Children will learn how to combine art forms imaginatively and in complementary and enhancing ways. They will exhibit art for a range of audiences, which will develop their understanding through visits to galleries and exhibitions.

The children here in St Robert Southwell Catholic Primary School, will be introduced to the appropriate language of the arts and will be enhanced and embedded throughout their artistic journey.

St. Robert Southwell Catholic Primary School’s artwork is celebrated all around the school. Artwork is found in the classrooms, on corridor displays, as well as in the main hall where there is a clear focus. Exhibitions of children’s work take place during the end of the Summer Term, after an intensive study of Art.​

The curriculum and its impact is monitored through constructive scrutiny of annual data, planning, monitoring of sketchbooks and displays, lesson learning walks, discussions with teaching staff, parents and pupil views.