Welcome to the art area of our website!

The subject leader for art at St James' is Miss Smith.

​Our Christian Vision for art:   

Every child’s journey will follow their own unique path with guidance from the teachings of God, our school values and SKATS.  They will develop their love of learning through a variety of art mediums whilst adopting new skills and furthering their knowledge allowing them to prosper and give hope for their future.  Through research, practise, creativity, and evaluation, each child will gain confidence in their own achievements.They will look at artwork from a range of countries and cultures; learning from and enjoying the talents of others to inspire future generations.  Embracing a creative and spiritual curriculum within a safe and loving Christian family. 

Subject Overview:

Art is taught in every year at St. James and follows the national curriculum. We use Kapow's condensed scheme to deliver our art curriculum. This means that the children will complete one art unit every term (three in total throughout the year) but everything the children need to learn and develop as outlined in the national curriculum is covered. Skills and knowledge are intertwined with topics covered throughout the year alongside learning about famous and important artists, architects and designers.

The children will be given the opportunity to learn and develop art skills using a range of media including material, watercolours and clay.  They will have the chance to explore their own creativity and evaluate both their own work and others.

Where Does Art Begin at St James'?

Reception follow the EYFS framework, which is structured very differently to the national curriculum. It is organised across seven areas of learning rather than subject areas. The most relevant areas of learning for art are: Physical Development and Expressive Arts and Design.

In EYFS, Art is taught through exploration, curiosity and first-hand experiences that help children make sense of the world around them. Pupils begin to develop an understanding of their immediate environment through play, outdoor learning, stories, photographs and discussion. Children are encouraged to explore different materials freely, join different materials, explore different textures, draw with increasing complexity and detail and explore colour and colour mixing.

Through meaningful experiences and rich vocabulary, children are encouraged to ask questions, notice similarities and differences, and develop an awareness of people, places and communities beyond their own. Art in EYFS lays the foundations for children to become inquisitive, observant and respectful global citizens.