Curriculum Intent
At St. Gregory’s, Art & Design is an important part of our broad and balanced curriculum. We believe every child is an artist with the potential to create, explore and express themselves. Our curriculum aims to inspire creativity, nurture talent and build pupils’ confidence to experiment and produce meaningful artwork.
As part of the Bishop Hogarth Catholic Education Trust, we follow a carefully sequenced Trust Art & Design curriculum that provides clear progression from Year 1 to Year 6.
Through Art & Design, we aim for pupils to:
- Become creative, reflective and confident artists.
- Develop proficiency in drawing, painting, sculpture and mixed media.
- Generate ideas and use sketchbooks to explore, practise and reflect.
- Learn about local, British and global artists, craft makers and designers.
- Understand how art reflects culture, identity and the wider world.
- Evaluate their own work and the work of others using subject‑specific vocabulary.
Our curriculum encourages curiosity, resilience and self‑expression, contributing to pupils’ spiritual, cultural and personal development.
Curriculum Implementation
Art & Design is taught using the Trust progression curriculum, ensuring:
- Clear development of technical and creative skills
- Repeated practice of core knowledge
- A strong balance of idea generation, practical work and evaluation
Curriculum Structure
Art is taught half‑termly, often linked meaningfully to History, Geography or Science. Teaching focuses on five strands:
- Generating ideas
- Sketchbooks
- Making skills (drawing, painting, sculpture, formal elements)
- Knowledge of artists
- Evaluating and analysing
The spiral structure ensures skills deepen as pupils move through school.
Sketchbooks and Practical Learning
Each child has their own sketchbook to:
- Explore ideas
- Practise techniques
- Experiment with materials
- Reflect on strengths and next steps
Lessons are practical, experimental and encourage creative independence.
Cultural Enrichment
Children deepen cultural understanding through:
- Exposure to a wide range of artists
- Virtual museum and gallery tours
- Local art resources
- Creative homework projects
Curriculum Impact
By the end of Key Stage 2, pupils at St. Gregory’s:
- Produce creative, personal and imaginative work.
- Are proficient in the key techniques of drawing, painting, sculpture and mixed media.
- Use art vocabulary confidently to evaluate and discuss artwork.
- Know about significant artists and the cultural context of their work.
- Demonstrate progression through detailed sketchbooks and class portfolios.
- Are ready for the expectations of Key Stage 3 Art & Design.
Impact is monitored through:
- Pupil voice
- Sketchbook and portfolio scrutiny
- Learning walks
- Assessment of practical outcomes and vocabulary use
Art & Design at St. Gregory’s equips pupils with creativity, confidence and cultural awareness.
Design & Technology (DT)
Curriculum Intent
At St. Gregory’s, Design & Technology develops pupils into imaginative problem‑solvers, confident makers and thoughtful designers. DT teaches children how products are created and improved, helping them understand the role of technology and innovation in shaping the modern world.
As part of the Bishop Hogarth Catholic Education Trust, we follow a clearly sequenced DT curriculum that builds creativity, technical understanding and practical expertise from Year 1 to Year 6.
Through DT, we aim for pupils to:
- Become creative and technical designers who can plan, make and evaluate products.
- Build and apply a repertoire of skills across textiles, structures, mechanisms, construction and food technology.
- Critique, test and improve products using subject-specific vocabulary.
- Understand and apply the principles of nutrition, and learn how to cook safely and confidently.
- Learn about significant designers, inventors, engineers and chefs.
- Develop resilience, resourcefulness and a positive attitude towards problem-solving.
Our curriculum supports the development of our Trust virtues, encouraging confidence, responsibility, perseverance and creativity.
Curriculum Implementation
DT is taught through a structured Trust curriculum designed by primary and secondary specialists. This ensures:
- Clear progression of skills and knowledge
- Balanced coverage of designing, making and evaluating
- Purposeful projects linked to real contexts
Project-Based Learning
DT is taught half‑termly through engaging projects following the full design cycle:
- Research and investigate
- Generate ideas
- Design and plan
- Make using tools safely
- Evaluate and refine
Projects cover:
- Food and nutrition
- Mechanisms and systems
- Textiles and stitching
- Structures and construction
- Product design and prototyping
Sketchbooks and Portfolios
Pupils record their progress through:
- Annotated sketches
- Design plans
- Prototypes
- Photographs
- Evaluations
A class portfolio documents DT outcomes across the school.
Cross‑Curricular Links
Meaningful links are made with:
- Science (materials, electricity, forces)
- Maths (measurement, nets, accuracy)
- Art (design choices, aesthetics)
- History and Geography (cultural or contextual influences)
Curriculum Impact
By the end of Key Stage 2, pupils at St. Gregory’s:
- Are confident designers who can plan, make and evaluate purposeful products.
- Apply technical knowledge safely and accurately across a variety of materials.
- Understand how design and technology influence daily life and the wider world.
- Demonstrate independence, resilience and problem‑solving skills.
- Know about significant designers, engineers and inventors.
- Are well prepared for the expectations of Key Stage 3 DT.
Impact is monitored through:
- Pupil voice
- Sketchbook and portfolio scrutiny
- Learning walks
- Evaluation of finished products
Design & Technology at St. Gregory’s develops imaginative thinkers, capable makers and confident problem‑solvers.