ST PETER’S CE PRIMARY SCHOOL
Art
"Every child is an artist"
Picasso
At St Peter’s we believe that art is for everyone. It is a powerful way for children to express their ideas, imagination, and feelings, while developing practical skills and critical thinking. Our art curriculum is carefully designed to inspire creativity, build confidence, and provide all pupils with access to a broad range of artistic experiences.
From Reception onwards, children are encouraged to explore colour, shape, tone, and texture through practical activities such as painting, printing, sculpture, collage, and digital art. As pupils progress through the school, they refine their techniques, experiment with a variety of media, and learn how art can reflect identity, culture, and the world around them. Sketchbooks are used throughout the school to record ideas, trial new methods, and reflect on personal progress.
We place a strong emphasis on learning from the work of artists, craftspeople, and designers from different times, places, and cultures. Children are introduced to a diverse range of artists including Van Gogh, Warhol, Monet, Kandinsky, Frida Kahlo, Keith Haring, Georgia O’Keeffe, William Morris, Banksy, Hokusai, and Picasso, alongside studies of illustrators, architects, and local artists. These carefully chosen artists help our pupils to see how art connects to history, geography, literature, and their own personal experiences.
Our approach not only develops practical skills but also encourages children to reflect, evaluate, and make informed judgements about art – their own and that of others. Through these opportunities, they build an appreciation for the cultural richness and diversity of the visual arts and learn to value the contribution art makes to society.
Creativity is celebrated at St Peter’s. Children’s artwork is proudly displayed around the school and shared with parents through exhibitions and events, including our annual Arts Week, which raises the profile of art across the school. We also make links with our local community, inviting artists into school and drawing inspiration from our cultural environment.
By the time our pupils leave St Peter’s, they will have developed not only technical skill and artistic knowledge but also the confidence to experiment, express themselves, and appreciate the importance of creativity in their own lives and the wider world.
Arts Week
At St Peter’s, we celebrate creativity and expression through our annual Arts Week, held every spring term. Each year, we explore a new theme, giving children the opportunity to immerse themselves in a variety of artistic experiences.
Throughout the week, pupils take part in exciting workshops, create their own artwork, and discover new artistic styles. We are also fortunate to welcome parents working in the arts, who share their experiences and inspire children to consider future career possibilities in creative fields.
The week culminates in our much-loved Arts Café, where we proudly showcase the children’s artwork and celebrate their creativity with the whole school community.
Arts Week is a highlight of our year—inspiring imagination, building confidence, and opening doors to new possibilities.
