Art and Design
“Nurturing creativity, self-expression and artistic confidence.”
Intent
At Newchurch St. Mary’s Primary Academy, we believe that art is a vital part of a well-rounded education and a powerful medium for self-expression, creativity and communication. Our art curriculum is designed to give every child the opportunity to explore a wide range of artistic skills and media, while developing their own unique style and voice as artists.
We have adapted the AccessArt scheme to suit our school’s vision and structure, teaching art across a 2 year programme in the infant classroom and a four-year rolling programme in the Juniors. This ensures progression in core artistic disciplines including drawing and sketching, painting, clay and textiles. Our aim is to give children a strong foundation in skills while encouraging freedom of expression, experimentation and creative risk-taking.
Art at Newchurch supports children’s spiritual and emotional development, promoting reflection, imagination and individuality. We want children to view themselves as artists and to take pride in their creativity and personal growth.
Implementation
Our art curriculum follows a clear, progressive sequence across all primary years, allowing pupils to revisit and deepen key skills while being introduced to new media, techniques and artists. Lessons are structured around the AccessArt framework, which we have adapted to reflect our pupils’ needs, our mixed-age classes and the wider creative ethos of our school.
Children explore the following core areas over time:
- Drawing and Sketching – developing observational skills, mark-making and expressive line work.
- Painting – exploring colour theory, brush technique and different styles and movements.
- Clay – working in three dimensions to develop tactile and sculptural techniques.
- Textiles – experimenting with materials, textures and mixed media for creative outcomes.
Sketchbooks are central to our approach, providing a personal space for children to experiment, reflect, and develop their ideas freely. These books are not marked but are valued as creative journals that promote individuality and self-expression.
Children are introduced to a wide range of artists, styles and cultural influences to inspire their work and broaden their understanding of art in the world around them. Teachers encourage thoughtful dialogue about art, helping pupils to evaluate, interpret and appreciate both their own work and the work of others.
Impact
Through our rich and inclusive art curriculum, children at Newchurch St. Mary’s develop:
- A secure and growing skillset in a variety of artistic disciplines and materials.
- Confidence in their ability to express ideas and emotions creatively.
- The ability to reflect critically on their own work and that of others.
- An appreciation for art as a means of communication and connection.
- A personal artistic identity, with a sense of pride in their unique style and voice.
By the time they leave us, pupils see themselves as capable, expressive and creative individuals. They understand that art is not just a subject but a lifelong way of seeing and engaging with the world.
Design and Technology (DT)
“Designing, creating and problem-solving for life beyond the classroom.”
Intent
At Newchurch St. Mary’s Primary Academy, our Design and Technology (DT) curriculum is designed to equip children with the practical skills, creative thinking and resilience they need to become innovative problem-solvers and confident designers. Rooted in the National Curriculum, our DT provision encourages pupils to design with purpose, make with care, and evaluate with thoughtfulness.
We have created and implemented our own DT curriculum tailored to the needs of our children and the context of our school. It ensures coverage of all key areas, including structures, mechanisms, textiles, electrical systems, and food technology, while offering meaningful, hands-on experiences.
Our aim is to teach children life skills that prepare them for the future—encouraging risk-taking, perseverance, and reflection. Through DT, children are encouraged to be resourceful and imaginative, building confidence in their ability to tackle real-world challenges creatively and collaboratively.
Implementation
Our DT curriculum is structured over a 2-year rolling programme in Key Stage 1 and a 4-year rolling programme in Key Stage 2, ensuring comprehensive coverage of all National Curriculum strands while meeting the needs of mixed-age classes.
Each unit follows the design-make-evaluate cycle, enabling children to:
- Research and explore real-world products and user needs.
- Develop, communicate and plan their ideas using drawings, prototypes or digital tools.
- Select and use appropriate tools, materials and techniques safely.
- Reflect on and evaluate their final product, identifying strengths and areas for improvement.
Children explore a wide variety of DT disciplines, including:
- Mechanisms and structures
- Textiles and product design
- Food and nutrition, where children gain vital knowledge and skills in cooking and healthy eating
- Electrical systems (in KS2)
Real-life contexts are at the heart of our projects, giving children opportunities to solve practical problems that relate to their everyday lives or wider societal needs. The curriculum promotes collaboration, independence and safe risk-taking, building a strong foundation for innovation and adaptability.
Where possible, we make cross-curricular links with subjects such as science, maths and art, and encourage children to see DT as a valuable and transferable life skill.
Impact
Through our DT curriculum, children leave Newchurch St. Mary’s as confident, capable and creative individuals who:
- Have a secure understanding of how to design, make and evaluate a range of purposeful products.
- Apply problem-solving skills and take thoughtful risks to develop their ideas.
- Demonstrate practical life skills, including safe food preparation and basic construction techniques.
- Understand the impact of design and technology in the real world, including sustainability and innovation.
- Are prepared for life beyond primary school with the mindset and abilities to meet future challenges head-on.
Ultimately, our pupils learn that design has the power to improve lives, and that they—ordinary people—can make an extraordinary difference through thoughtful, creative and purposeful design.