"But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.” - Isaiah 64:8 

​"Art, craft and design embody some of the highest forms of human creativity. A high-quality art and design education should 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." - National curriculum

Art & Design

Design Technology
'Art is something that makes you breathe with a different kind of happiness.' Anni Albers, making our St James Artists beacons of joy, especially when sharing our art in the gallery at the end of each academic year. 
Our art curriculum provides us with the opportunity to create joy in ourselves and others by exploring a range of art and artists from different cultures and backgrounds.
‘The world always seems brighter when you've just made something that wasn't there before.’ Neil Gaiman.
ART & DESIGN INTENT

At St James Primary School we recognise that 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. It enables children of all abilities to communicate what they see, feel and think through the use of colour, texture, form, pattern and different materials and processes.

Art and design is  interwoven within our school's wider topic work.  Enriched by cross-curricular links to other subjects, our children study a range of great artists from different movements, cultures and disciplines, also learning to make links to their own work.
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Through learning about the roles and functions of art, our pupils explore the impact it has had on contemporary life and that of different times and cultures. The appreciation and enjoyment of the visual arts enriches all our lives.​
We aim to ensure that all pupils:
  • have the opportunity to record from first-hand experience and from imagination.
  • develop opportunities to select their own ideas for use in their work.
  • develop creativity and imagination through a range of stimulating activities.
  • develop the ability to control materials, tools and techniques;
  • increase their critical awareness of the roles and purposes of art and design in different times and cultures.
  • develop increasing confidence in the use of visual and tactile elements and materials.
  • foster an enjoyment and appreciation of the visual arts and a knowledge of artists, crafts and design.
Progression in art skills document
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Art Club

Every year, children have the opportunity to take part in an art club. This is open to KS1 and KS2. 
'Creativity is allowing you to make mistakes. Design is knowing which ones to keep.' Scott Adams. As designers, our pupils will develop skills and attributes they can use beyond school and into adulthood. Pupils will become more resilient as a result of making modifications to products that may not work the first time they are made.
Our design technology curriculum, instills the  joy of making something from scratch with your bare hands that can be shared with others. 
'Technology like art is a soaring exercise of human imagination.' Daniel Bell. 
DESIGN TECHNOLOGY INTENT

At St. James’ CE Primary School, we recognise that designing, making and evaluating are significant life skills which are of central importance to a child’s learning and development. It uses creativity and imagination for pupils to design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts.  Pupils learn how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens. Through the evaluation of past and present design and technology, they develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world.

Design and Technology is an inspiring practical subject that draws upon a broad range of disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art.

​Our aim is to:
  • Explore by immersing children in DIY projects
  • Inspire by ensuring our learners are excited by creating innovative projects
  • Spark by igniting creative ideas so that we become chefs, engineers and designer
  • Deepen by developing children’s understanding of how things work in the ever-changing world we live in.
Design and Technology Progression Framework EYFS, Ks1 & KS2
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Cooking and nutrition
As part of their work with food, pupils are taught how to cook and apply the principles of nutrition and healthy eating. As a Healthy School, we  value the importance of pupils being aware of the importance of a healthy, balanced diet. We ensure that in each year groups the children are given the opportunity to cook a healthy or seasonal recipe to apply this learning.

Instilling a love of cooking in pupils will also open a door to one of the great expressions of human creativity. Learning how to cook is a crucial life skill that enables pupils to feed themselves and others affordably and well, now and in later life.

Art Day & Summer Art / DT Gallery 

Every year, we celebrate our passion for art at St James by holding a whole school art day. Each class studies the life and work or style of a different artist from around the world and produced an art project inspired by their work. Pupils Art Day work, as well as a range of art and DT curriculum work from throughout the year, was  displayed in our Summer Art and DT Gallery. 

Art and DT Home Learning

Below is a list of links to websites which will help to support your child's learning at home.