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art

At Saints Peter and Paul Catholic High School, Art is not just a subject, it is an essential pathway for developing curiosity, emotional expression, and individuality.

Our curriculum is designed to nurture creative thinkers and resilient, empathetic young people.

We recognise the vital role of art and design for students of all abilities … it provides them with opportunities to develop their curiosity through the encouragement of self-expression and creativity.

“A true artist is not one who is inspired but one who inspires others”

Salvador Dali

At Saints Peter and Paul, we recognise the vital role of art and design for students of all abilities and how it is an integral part of children’s education. It provides them with opportunities to develop their curiosity, through the encouragement of self-expression and creativity. We celebrate creativity by inspiring students to explore and value ideas, providing them with opportunities to discover the world around them.

We support their emotional development and encourage individuality, enabling them to flourish in life.

Students explore a wide range of themes and experiment with a variety of media and techniques, to ensure that they receive a rich and varied curriculum. They develop the skills and knowledge required to build confident, inquisitive minds, making links with a wide spectrum of Art styles, artists and other inspirational avenues. The aim is to develop their understanding, critical awareness and appreciation of art and design.

We strive to engage students on their journey of personal and professional development, through implementing the following core values into our teaching. We believe these values promote and contribute towards the happiness and well-being of children:

Respect: For themselves and all members of our school community and environment.

Positivity: To always be prepared to try new things and accept advice.

Resilience: To never give up! Remain flexible, willing and open to ideas.

Creativity: To solve problems, generate ideas, explore imagination and develop curiosity.

Aspiration: To show motivation, enthusiasm and a desire to achieve success while discovering future opportunities along the way.

The Art curriculum is planned in accordance to the National Curriculum for Art and Design. We have taken into consideration where and when the elements and principles of art are taught, so that these are developed and embedded over time. We have termly themes at Key Stage 3: Identity, Culture and Environment; where a range of exciting projects are developed around these topics. Teachers work collaboratively, to ensure consistency is delivered and maintained across each lesson. We value Art education and want our students to enjoy our subject. By the end of Key Stage 3, students will have acquired a diverse set of knowledge and skills, which they can either carry forward or further enhance through our Art & Design GCSE course, fostering their creativity and independence.

Art & Design reflects and achieves the following mission, vision and values of the school though the following:

Safe: Students feel safe in our department and have positive relationships with teachers. They are encouraged to form non-judgemental opinions and use a wide range of equipment sensibly and respectfully. Students have often described our department as their “safe place”.

Happy: Our curriculum is designed to foster creativity, self-expression and a love for Art and Design. We provide a stimulating open plan environment that showcases a diverse range of work, enabling students to explore, enhance their self-awareness, and be receptive to new ideas and experiences. Our inclusive approach ensures that all students are cared for, valued and given the opportunity to thrive.

Flourishing: We celebrate creativity by inspiring students to explore and value ideas, offering them opportunities to discover the world around them, including social, moral, cultural and spiritual dimensions. We foster their emotional development and individuality, helping them to flourish in life.

Succeeding: We hold high expectations for our students and encourage a positive attitude towards learning. Our exciting and varied curriculum is designed to be accessible to all ability levels. We encourage creativity and imagination, providing opportunities for students to personalise projects.

Enrichment & Creative Careers

Our commitment to excellence in the arts extends beyond lessons:

Extra-curricular opportunities: art clubs, pop-up exhibitions, creative workshops.
Showcase platforms: displays around school, local exhibitions, competitions.
Pathway guidance: transition support for further study in Art and Design, creative media, architecture, fashion, illustration, and more.

We inspire students to consider art not only as expression, but as vocation, service, and professional journey.

Catholic SOCIAL TEACHING

In our Art Curriculum, we aim to blend creative expression with faith formation. Art serves not only as a means of creativity but also as a powerful tool to explore and express Catholic beliefs, values and traditions.

Throughout Key Stage 3, students engage with themes such as Identity, Culture and Environment, which form the foundation of our projects. These themes encourage students to explore the world around them, with a particular focus on stewardship and the responsibility to protect and preserve the Earth, as a sacred gift from God.

Environmental teachings are integrated into the curriculum, covering topics such as pollution, sustainability and the beauty of creation, emphasising respect for all forms of life. Art also serves as a medium to covey positive messages that align with inclusivity, equality and human dignity. We encourage students to appreciate the design of churches and how Catholic theology is reflected through the use of light, space and symbolism, which inspires admiration and a sense of awe.

In Key Stage 4, Catholic Social teachings are woven into themes related to Life and Death, Architecture and Culture. Through collaborative work, students are encouraged to respect and consider the views of others, ensuring that all learners feel safe, happy and valued in our open and inclusive environment. Through critical analysis and the study of both historical and contemporary figures, students examine how their contributions reflect Catholic values and uphold moral and ethical principles, promoting the common good.