Welcome to the Art and D.T Page!

Here you can find out what we've been up to during out Art and Design and Design and Technology lessons.

At St Peter's we believe all children are artists and inventors and we try to instill this belief in all of our children.

We hope you enjoy looking at this page and can see the children's creativity and individuality through their fantastic work. 

At St Peter’s we are proud to source many of our Art and Dt resources from The Scrapstore. The Scrapstore is a part of Birmingham PlayCare Network who are a third sector organisation passionate about promoting both the importance of play and high quality play opportunities for children and young people.

They support the reuse of unwanted materials that have been donated by businesses and individuals across Birmingham. The Scrapstore collects and sorts waste/surplus materials which would often be diverted to landfill and redistributes it to out of school providers, schools, community groups and individuals. The Scrapstore offers out of school providers, schools, community groups and individuals the opportunity to access a wide range of high quality materials, save money and promote the reuse of waste materials.

We visit The Scrapstore each term to collect a variety of resources needed to support the teaching of our wonderful Art and Design and Design and Technology curriculum. We really value the relationship we have with all of team and hope to have a long lasting association with such a fantastic organisation.

At St Peter's our children are able to attend Create Club. It is an after-school club that provides children with a hands-on experience of process art. The activities aim to encourage children's creativity, imagination and critical thinking skills through a variety of open-ended art activities. Using various art activities, children are encouraged to develop their imagination and create artwork that reflects their own ideas and interests. Children are encouraged to make decisions, problem solve and experiment with different materials, equipment and techniques. We celebrate a child’s natural curiosity, individuality which in turn helps with their self- esteem. Our Create Clubbers enjoy working together with others who they may not know that well which builds a sense of community within the club.

The 3 year rolling programme looks at different aspects of art, but also builds on the curriculum with strong links to English, Science, Technology, Art and Design, Geography, History and Maths.

We believe Create Club benefits children by enhancing creativity and expression, developing fine motor skills, helps to develop their own learning journey, encourages social interaction and collaboration and provides a safe space where children can confidently explore new materials and ways of thinking about art.

Our Create Clubbers have lots of fun during sessions, are proud of their achievements and are happy to talk to their friends, teachers and family about all their awesome creations!

Autumn Term

Nursery Art

During Nursery’s first term at school the children focus on portraits. The children are exposed to different types of portraits including drawing, paintings and photographs. The children are given the opportunity to discuss their likes and dislikes about the images and what colours they can see in each one.

After, the children look specifically at the work of Corrine Day and Julia Cameron, who are both photographers. The children are shown Corrine Day’s photographs of Kate Moss and are asked how she was able to photograph different parts of her face. The children are then asked to talk about what emotions they can see on each face and asked if they can recreate them.

Then, the children are shown how a camera works and how to get the best image. After they are shown how a portrait photograph can be taken, the subject sat with the camera in a fixed position. The children are then given the chance to experiment portrait photography in the continuous provision by taking photographs of each other.

Once the children have all explored using a camera, they go on to using a photograph to help them draw a self-portrait. Their teacher models using different types of lines and drawing in proportion to draw the other half of their face using a photograph.

The children love exploring the cameras and have so much fun drawing their self-portrait with some fantastic results!

Nursery DT

The Nursery children learnt lots of new skills in their DT week. Firstly, they started by learning how to use scissors correctly. This was supported by a whole class scissor lesson and then multiple cutting activities in the continuous provision including activities from their spine book The Paper Dolls.

The children were told that the figures from the classroom wanted to explore the school but their legs were too small. The children were asked what they could make to help the figures explore. The children designed the vehicle they would make by sticking together different 2D shapes. 

The children then discussed what was special about a vehicle and what key parts it needed. Their teacher wrote down the children's ideas to use in the making phase. Then they explored different types of vehicles in their continuous provision and made some using simple construction toys. 

After the children set to building their vehicles using junk modelling materials. The children were able to use a range of joining materials including glue, masking tape and Sellotape.

The children spent lots of time considering how they wanted their vehicle to look and what it needed. They were really proud of their creations and enjoyed sharing their work with others. 

Reception Art

One of Reception’s spine books is Rosie’s Walk by Pat Hutchins. The children explore this book as part of their Me and my community topic by talking about different places they may visit in their community.

Firstly, the children are able to explore different books by Pat Hutchins to see if they can notice any repeated colours or patterns. The children are then asked if they can name any types of lines they can see.

Then, the children go on to learning about different types of lines including wavy, dotted, vertical, horizontal, dashed, zig-zag and spiral. They especially like creating zig-zag and spiral lines. Once the children have had explored these types of lines they are shown how to produce lines of different thickness and tone using a pencil. The children are given the chance to explore different types of lines and tone using different drawing tools including oil pastels, chalk, wax crayons and graphite sticks.

After, they are given the chance to re-create a character from the Rosie’s walk story by using a character template, choosing 3 colours and a range of drawing tools.

The children move on to learning about relief printing. As a class they talk about their different experiences of printing which may include potato printing, natural art printing and hand printing. The children learn what a relief print is and how it is created. They go on to learn the names of the tools and materials they need to make their own print. Using the different lines, the children have learnt about, they created their own printing block using Styrofoam. As a class the children chose 3 colours they would like to use and they create a whole class print using their own individual blocks.

The children absolutely love this learning about different types of lines and it’s wonderful to see them using them in the continuous provision. It is also fantastic to hear the children using words like tone and language related to line thickness independently.

Reception DT

During DT Week in Reception the children made an autumn card. First, they talked about what cards are used for and when we might send cards. The children were able to come up with lots of reasons why they might send a card including birthdays, get well soon, weddings, moving house, Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Easter.

The children were given a selection of cards to explore. They talked about the similarities and differences and our likes and dislikes. Most children were able to spot similarities in size, colours and shape.

The children were told that they would be making an autumn card to celebrate the changing of seasons. The children were shown a card with a slider and asked if they could explain what was different about this card. Each child was able to have a go at using the card and talk about how it moves. The children used language like backwards and forwards, left and right, side to side and push and pull.

Next the children identified their user by creating a profile. Each child was able to draw who their card would be for and say what that person's favourite colour was. The children recorded this in their sketchbooks. They also talked about what types of pictures they would use on an autumn card. 

As a class the children came up with a design criterion. They understood that all of the cards would need to have autumn pictures, a slider and the card should be their grown-ups favourite colour. In the next lesson the children were given a demonstration of how the card was made. They talked about the different tools and materials that would be needed and how to create the slot for the slider. After this the children were given a random selection of tools and materials from around the classroom. In a group they selected the correct tools they needed for their card and talked about how it would be used.

To help the children remember how to make their card the children were able to come up with some instructions. The teachers drew these instructions in story map form for the children to follow. 

Using the design criteria and with their grown up in mind the children set out to make their slider card. Most children needed support when using the hole punch but were very determined to be independent. Some of the children needed support to cut out their autumn pictures but used a range of scissors to help them with this. 

 When making the slider element of the card the children were encouraged to use push and pull and left and right when describing its movement. 

Year 1 Art

In Year 1 the children continue their art journey by learning about Leonardo Da Vinci and Henry Moore. With specific focus on their drawings of various body parts. The children are shown a selection of images and talk about the similarities and differences between the different artists.

The children then closely observe their own anatomy and have a go at drawing what they can see in their sketchbooks. They are able to use a variety of drawing tools for exploration including pencils, rubber crayons, pastels charcoal and chalk.

They go on to building on the skills they have learnt in Reception by developing a range of tone using a pencil. The children learn about drawing techniques such as hatching, scribbling, stippling, and blending to create light/ dark lines and have the opportunity explore these techniques independently. The children have also explored texture by creating rubbings and drawing different textures using a pencil.

Year 1 DT

Year 1 have been learning about wheels and axles.  Firstly, the children explored a range of wheeled toys where they discussed their likes and dislikes, and talked about why wheeled toys are so popular. 

The children then used their sketchbooks to draw and label a wheeled product. The children learnt key vocabulary including body, chassis, wheels, axle and axle holder. 

After, the children were taught about fixed and free axles. They worked in groups to explore the different types of axles and decided which one they thought was best for their product. The children decided that free axels holes through the chassis would be best.

Next, the children designed their product in their sketchbooks and discussed the main components with their friends. Then the children set out to create their design using junk materials they had brought in from home. 

The children then added finishing techniques to their products with their design criteria in mind. 

Year 2 Art

Year 2 start by learning about colour by exploring the work of Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko. They begin by describing the differences and similarities between their practices and disciplines.

They go on to exploring colour by exploring mixing in their sketchbooks. They go on to creating a colour wheel to explore primary colour to make secondary colours. After, the children are taught to experiment in lightening and darkening without the use of black or white by creating shades of secondary colours.

Then the children to use their sketchbook to mix colour shades and tones by making as many tones of one colour as possible (using white). Children are taught to control the types of marks made with the range of media, using a brush to produce marks appropriate to work. E.g. small brush for small marks.

By this point the children have had lots of experience of mixing colours and creating new ones. They go on to creating their own ‘drip painting’ on canvas inspired by Jackson Pollock. As you can imagine the children come alive when creating this work and everything gets rather messy!

Year 2 DT

During DT the children in Year 2 made a vegetable casserole. The children started by recapping the different sources of food and named ones they eat on a weekly basis. The children were asked to categorise a range of food into plant and animal sources. This gave the teachers a chance to address any misconceptions. 

Then the children were given the chance to explore a range of tools used for preparing and cooking food.

After, the children were asked why do we cook our food? The children discussed the reasons for cooking foods and explored how pulses and root vegetables softened by cooking. The children looked at a variety of dried pulses and root vegetables and talked about why they need cooking.

Next, the children were given the recipe for the vegetable casserole and as a class read the instructions and ingredients list. Each child was given a vegetable to prepare by peeling and chopping. They were all reminded of the hygiene rules around food preparation and were supervised when using sharp knives. 

The children absolutely loved their DT week. All of the children tried the casserole and lots of them went home and told their parents that they would like to make it at home. 

Year 3 Art

In Year 3 the children revisit Leonardo Da Vinci by comparing his work with Michelangelo. The children begin by viewing large scale pictures of the artist’s work, like an art gallery. They are encouraged to choose their favourite and least favourite, stick these images in their sketchbooks and write their thoughts and feelings about the both drawings.

The children were then taught about the history of both artists including their rivalry. After, they created a double page spread of interesting facts they have learnt about each artist.

Then the children were taught about Da Vinci’s note books by watching a video which explores them. They were encouraged to use their own sketchbooks much like Da Vinci did to record media explorations and experimentations as well as planning and collecting source material for later work. We feel it is important that the children are instilled with the confidence and freedom to use their sketchbook however they like during art lessons.

After, they were taught about the artists use of red and black chalk and were given the opportunity to experiment and explore this medium in the style of the artists. They were also given different drawing mediums to help them experiment and understanding that they can be used in different ways to create different effects and textures.

The children then moved on to consolidating their previous knowledge of graded pencils by drawing different forms and shapes in the third dimension and learning about proportion. Finally, the children were taught about how many artist including Da Vinci searched for rules to apply to proportions of all bodies. Their teacher modelled using these rules to draw their own head. Then the children had a go at drawing the human body using a range of graded pencils.

Year 3 DT

Year 3 have been learning about linkages and levers. Firstly, the children discussed where they might have seen lever and linkage mechanisms before. The children then investigated and analysed teacher made resources where they answered some simple questions. What do you think will move? How will you make it move? How do you think the mechanism works?

Then the children were shown how the mechanisms worked by explaining the different parts. The children learnt some new and previously taught vocabulary including lever, input, output, fixed pivots and loose pivots.

The children decided that they would make a moving picture based around the book they have been reading 'Stone Age Boy' by Satoshi Kitamura. The children chose which character they would like to move and what their background would be. The children worked really hard to create their mechanism and when asked they were able to explain each step.

Year 4 Art

In Year 4 the children start by taking their pencil for a walk. Their pencil was not allowed to come off the page for 30 seconds. When asked to stop, the children were shown examples of zentangles, and encouraged to fill in three shapes with the patterns that were modelled. This builds on their line work from Reception and Year 1.

Next, the children learnt about tone and how to show depth and shadow. They then created a value scale in their books. The children then shaded different shapes to create shadow. The children were encouraged to think carefully about how light travels and to envisage a source of light shining from one side of each shape.

Then, they were taught about how different textures are created in drawings and paintings. Firstly, the children took pieces of paper outside with wax crayons to take rubbings of natural textures they could find. They also tried to recreate the texture free hand.

After, the children were taught about landscape drawings and how tone and texture is used to create landscape drawings. They looked at the work of Ansel Adams a famous American landscape photographer and discussed different features of landscapes using key vocabulary in a spider diagram.

Then they were shown how perspective works in landscape drawings and they learnt about the horizon line and vanishing point. The children then went to explore landscapes in our local area and took photographs which they had a go a re-creating in their sketchbooks.

Year 4 DT

The children in year 4 have been working to solve a real-world problem. Mrs Leonard has decided that we need to save electricity so at some points in the day all of the lights need to be turned off. The children thought about what they could make so they could still continue to work but without the classroom lights on. The children decided that they would like to make torches. 

Firstly, the children explored different battery powered products. They discussed the following questions. How does the product work? What are the key features and components? How does the switch work? How is it suited to the intended user and purpose?

Next, the teachers demonstrated different switches including push-to-make and push-to-break. The children were able to use what they had been learning about electricity in their science lessons to investigate the switches in simple circuits. The children then drew different images in their sketchbooks. 

After, the children developed their design criteria and drew sketches of their products which helped them in their making stage. They annotated their sketches and made a list of materials needed. 

The children enjoyed making their torches but came across some unexpected barriers. This gave the children experience of in the moment problems solving skills and enabled the children to advise each other.

Year 5 Art

In Year 5 the children build on their drawing skills by learning about Giorgio Morandi. The children focus on line, tone, pattern and texture (shading and hatching) as well as discussing composition and perspective.

The children go on to draw a still life object using their knowledge of how to show depth and shadow from Year 3. The children are encouraged to draw for a sustained amount of time which is a skill in itself!

After they were taught that Morandi not only drew still life but he also drew landscapes. The children were shown a range of his work and were encouraged to look back in their sketchbooks to the work they did in Year 3 on landscapes.

The children were then given a choice to 3 photographs of the local area to draw to show their development of simple perspective, a single focal point and horizon line. The children were also encouraged to use their knowledge and experience of drawing scale and proportion from previous years.  

Finally, they were given the opportunity to evaluate and discuss own and others work by expressing thoughts and feelings. They were able to identify any changes that could be made to improve their own and others work and also to compare work to the artist we have studied.

Year 5 DT

Year 5's task in DT week was to design, make and evaluate a food product. They chose bread. The first task was a tasting session with the children where we explored aspects such as taste, texture and appearance. Following this, we looked at how bread can be an important part of our daily diet (carbohydrates). Then, we went through the instructions and the ingredients needed for our recipe before designing their own bread. Before the product was made, health and safety requirements were discussed with the children. To end the DT week, the pupils made and evaluated their product.

Year 6 Art

Year 6 start their final year Art and design journey by learning about collage. This is an area of art the children have learnt since Reception class. This topic is focused on the key issues in the world at the present time. The children were shown 4 topical world issues and they were asked to discuss their thoughts and feelings about these issues.

The children then moved on to learn about the work of Raoul Hausmann.

The children were given these questions to answer Is this art? What do you think the artist is trying to convey? Does art have a place in politics? They were then given more information and asked to research Hausmann to create a double page spread about his influences, movements and his use of satire.

After, they learnt about Barbra Kruger and what influenced her as a collage artist. The children compared her collage art to Hausmann’s and talked about the use of black and white images against the blocked red text.

The children explore collage by making a photomontage about themselves or a family member. Using the skills, they have learnt the children went on to create a photomontage about one of the key world issues. They listed the types of images they wanted to use and were encouraged to think about Hausmann’s and Kruger’s use of satire.

Year 6 DT

Year 6 began DT Week by investigating and evaluating existing playground structures based on their suitability and design features. Next, we generated a design criterion which was to create a playground structure model suitable for Infant children. Then, we worked in groups to share ideas before designing our structures. We found out about the equipment we would be using before we began constructing our 3D models from wood. Once completed, we evaluated our models against our design criteria. 

Art and Design Staff Training

2023

On Tuesday 2nd January the staff at St Peter's had a teacher training day. We used this opportunity to develop our art and design skills. This year we focused on drawing. We spent the morning reviewing the teaching of art and design across the school and we had a 'sketchbook buffet' where all teachers could look at the progression of skills by looking at each year groups sketchbooks. 

In the afternoon we had a visit from Sue Guthrie who is a local artist who works with Birmingham Education Partnership. She also work in 4 local school teaching art across all year groups. Our aim of the training was to develop our drawing skills including using chalk and charcoal to draw 3D objects, observational drawing, drawing portraits and figures. 

We all enjoyed learning new skills and relished the chance to be immersed in art for a day.  There were so many tips and teaching points which we felt were really transferable to classroom teaching and we can't wait to try them out.

We also uncovered some hidden talents during the session!

2022

For our teacher training day in January 2022 all teaching staff took part in an Art and Design day. Andrew Fox who is the Birmingham Arts consultant at Birmingham Education Partnership came in and lead the training with Mrs Carby. They talked about the rationale behind our new art curriculum and the steps we need to take over the next year. In the afternoon we were joined by Sue Guthrie who is a local artist. All staff took part in a printing workshop where we learnt different printing techniques and skills to take back into the classroom. Take a look at the the fabulous prints we produced and mess we all made!