Art & Creative Technologies

Art, Computer Science, Design Technology,

Food & Nutrition, iMedia, IT & Textiles

Art & Creative Technologies Department Staff

Curriculum Leader: Mrs L Maidment - Art

Art & Creative Technologies Teachers

Design Technology: Mr P Hogg

Computer Science & IT: Mr P Wong

Food & Nutrition: Mr Mahony

Textiles: Mrs L Maidment

Curriculum Maps

Art

Computer Science

Design Technology

Food & Nutrition

iMedia

Information Technology

Textiles

Intent

‘With God all things are possible’ – (Matthew 19:26)

‘The mission of Schools and teachers is to develop an understanding of all that is true, good and beautiful’ – (Pope Francis 2017)

In Art & Creative Technology subjects we aim to offer an engaging and challenging curriculum for all pupils, developing their practical making skills, their subject knowledge and their Catholic Social Teachings. Art & Creative Technology subjects have multiple opportunities for pupils to learn about routes into the creative industries.

We believe that by embedding the Catholic Social Teachings into our curriculum area and by having the pupils’ love of learning at the heart of everything we do, we can achieve the ‘Common Good’ for each of our pupils. A Common Good where they feel included, supported, and celebrated for their uniqueness.

Pupils are given plenty of opportunities to express themselves and to work creatively. Every human person is made in the image and likeness of God. This is a gift that we all share as fellow human beings; we are all infinitely loved by our Creator. We want to inspire our pupils to create amazing outcomes.

Art Intent

Art takes children to places of creativity. Our aim is to deliver a curriculum which engages, inspires and challenges pupils through experimentation and inventive creativity, whilst improving the children's ability to control materials, skills and techniques in the visual arts.

We aim to challenge and encourage our pupils to think critically, learn about inspirational artists and a variety of art forms, and to increase their contextual awareness of the roles and purposes of the arts in different times and cultures.

Art is about experimentation and use of imagination; we want our pupils to love the freedom and creativity in our lessons and to become proficient in drawing and design techniques. Encouraging pupils to work independently, but to have the confidence to be imaginative and creative within their work at the same time.

Design Technology Intent

Design Technology is a subject which inspires practical creativity using a variety of resistant materials and media. It is a rigorous practical subject which allows pupils to be imaginative and solve problems, drawing on and developing skills from Maths, Science, Computing and Art. We endeavour for our pupils to be risk takers and therefore become resilient learners, where learning by mistakes help to craft a final artefact or design. It allows pupils to understand technology and its impact in the wider world.

Design Technology enables pupils to develop their own skills, create unique designs and not to be limited by their own lack of prior knowledge or limitations.

Computer Science, IT and Digital Literacy Intent

Computer Science, IT and Digital Literacy are dynamic and evolving subjects that prepare pupils to thrive in the rapidly changing digital world. At the heart of our curriculum is the development of computational thinking, enabling pupils to break down complex problems, design algorithms, and create effective digital solutions. Pupils are encouraged to think critically, solve problems creatively, and apply their knowledge to real-world contexts.

The purpose of Computer Science, IT and Digital Literacy is to equip pupils with a strong foundation in programming, data analysis and digital systems. It fosters an understanding of various IT systems. A key focus is on AI literacy, where pupils explore the principles and applications of artificial intelligence. This includes also an emphasis on AI safety, encouraging pupils to consider the ethical implications of AI.

Pupils develop essential digital literacy skills, enabling them to confidently navigate, evaluate and create content in a variety of digital platforms. We promote online safety through the 4Cs framework - Content, Contact, Conduct and Commerce - empowering pupils to make informed, responsible choices in the digital space.

Textiles Intent

Textiles gives pupils an opportunity to explore colour, texture, fabrics, designers and the chance to recreate their own outcomes. Like Art, we aim to deliver a curriculum which engages, inspires and challenges pupils through experimentation and inventive creativity.

We aim to challenge and encourage our pupils to think critically, learn about inspirational designers, the development of textiles. In the words of Steve Jobs 'design is all around us'; we continue this idea that all we see has been designed, developed and made in some way.

Textiles is all about the journey from an initial 'thought process/brief' to exploring through experimentation and design, to creating a final piece. We are all in some way designers, and Textiles allows us to explore this with freedom and creativity.

Food and Nutrition Intent

Food and nutrition transports pupils into a world of food that many have not experienced before. It encourages pupils to master skills for life, have new food experiences and often, be introduced to the basic knowledge of where our food comes from; how it is processed and how it ends up in our supermarket and on our plates, enabling us to make informed food choices. The science of food enables pupils to test and go beyond boundaries when experimenting and trailing new dishes, also creating a wonderful foundation on which to build.

Cooking is an essential life skill that allows pupils to have an ability to feed themselves and feed others with a knowledge of nutrition, affordability and healthy and balanced eating. Nutrition opens a curious look into the science of foods and allows pupils to understand how to stay healthy. Cooking inspires passions in a variety of skills which include baking, preparing ingredients, savoury cooking, use of utensils and electrical equipment and an awareness of taste and joy of food. Chefs of the future, skills for life!

Catholic Social Teaching with Art & Creative Technologies

We follow the 'STM Way' and provide a Dignity of the Human Person where all pupils are treated fairly and are encouraged to show respect for each other, the opinions of others, the work of each other, staff, and the resources they are provided with. We help each other, we learn together, we celebrate together, and we face challenges together.

We believe in the Common Good, where we respect and celebrate each other's gifts and talents. We value the importance of the Option for the Poor and Vulnerable, where we care for and treat everyone equally, no matter of their background. God’s gifts are for everyone; sharing of resources and ideas; helping everybody to be happy together; using our gifts to help others; working together; exploring fairness and justice and by being Christ’s voice in our classes.

Each person is unique and irreplaceable, everyone and their opinions matter. Dignity of Education allows us to continue to participate in God’s creation, whilst providing a varied and creative education and promoting good work ethic. Everyone has the right to an Education. We are helping to do God’s work; we use our gifts for each other; everybody’s Education is valuable and important. In Art & Creative Technology, we recognise and help others to find their gift and share it whilst encouraging each other to aim high.

We value Family and Community and believe the human person is not only sacred, but social. Our class societies, groupings and seating plans all have an impact on the dignity and growth of each and every one of our pupils.

Pupil Affirmation

“I Enjoy Creative Tech, but wish we had lessons more often”- Year 8

“Creative Technology is good because it lets you do a variety of different things and helps pupils become more creative”- Year 8

“Creative Tech is good because we get to express our emotions through work and colour and use our imagination” – Year 8

“I really enjoy the lessons and have been looking forward to this lesson each time” – Year 8

“I love that these lessons are hands on practical and love how it is taught” – Year 7

“I like being able to do 3D work in Creative Tech” – Year 7

“I have fun as we have lots of practical lessons” – Year 7

“We can be as Creative as we want” – Year 7

Learning Outside of the Classroom

Within the Art & Creative Technology Department we offer many opportunities for our pupils to enrich their knowledge and skills in the creative areas. We provide them with irreplaceable experiences; visits to exhibitions such as’ Van Gogh Alive’ and ‘The Art of Banksy’ at Media City, trips to the Blue Planet Aquarium for our Textiles pupils to gain inspiration, and much more.

Pupils are given opportunities to work with artists and designers first-hand in workshops ran in school. Felt and sculpture artist Katy Evett and cardboard artist Mark O’Brien are just two of those we are lucky enough to re-invite in to work with us.

We also annually take part in the Faraday Challenge Day as a host school and offer this to a high number of our Year 8 pupils, alongside entering and taking part in various Creative competitions.

Inclusivity

In Art & Creative Technologies we believe that all pupils, including Disadvantaged and Achievement for All, are entitled to a broad and balanced curriculum that will support them in fulfilling their God given potential. All pupils should be provided with equal opportunities as part of our family to enable them to succeed. We are committed, through our shared faith, to providing inclusive learning opportunities across the subject areas in our department, which enriches pupils and gives them regular opportunities to progress and achieve excellence.

We aim to remove all barriers to learning and provide pupils with the skills and confidence to work and communicate their ideas independently and build resilience through designing and creating unique creative responses.

We ensure pupils feel confident and comfortable to explore their creative ability, have a clear knowledge of the foundations of our subjects and gain the skills and tools they need to succeed.

Art & Creative Technology subjects are accessible to all. All pupils of all abilities and barriers can achieve in our subjects. We are very popular at GCSE option. We have very passionate subject teachers who provide an inclusive, nurturing environment that ensures every pupil receives every opportunity to reach their full potential.

We believe that every pupil, regardless of background, social deprivation, and financial situation, should have equal opportunities for success. We aim to overcome any barriers to the achievement and progress of our disadvantaged pupils and support them in reaching their full potential.

Reading

Pupils are encouraged to read in all lessons across the Art & Creative Technology Department. They often need to read and understand ‘KEY WORDS’, follow instructions and understand signage of often hazardous/harmful equipment or substances within the workshops.

Technologies are an integral part of almost every aspect of life today. Whilst reading will always be an essential skill, a digital approach makes sense with today's mix of in-class, at-home, and hybrid learning.

Digital project work can help to connect learners to the books they read, better evaluate their comprehension, and build essential literacy skills like vocabulary, research, and fluency.

We have a designated area in the library, with subject specific books available for pupils to help develop their reading skills in the different subject areas and reading boxes in all Art & Creative Technology classrooms. We also have designated 'Reading Boxes' in all Art & Creative Technology classrooms that contain subject related books for pupils to read. This may be for fun, an extension task or part of the lesson.

Rewards

In Art & Creative Technologies we believe it is important to celebrate the work of our pupils. We push pupils to achieve their very best in all areas of the department. We encourage pupils to grow through experimentation and we nurture them to try new things.

Pupils are given plentiful experiences to shine and to showcase their God given talents.

We celebrate hard work and achievement daily. In each Art & Creative Technology classroom, there are 'Stars of the Day' posters where pupils names will be written for a number of reasons, for example participated and contributed in lessons, completed homework, shown a positive attitude towards their learning, etc.

We want to promote and celebrate success; we regularly share news and celebrate work on Facebook and other social media platforms with the STM community. Pupils are also given positive points on Bromcom to celebrate their achievements and to reflect how they have demonstrated Catholic Social Teachings across the department. The Art & Creative Technology 'Wall of Fame' is updated each term in the corridor by room D17, to celebrate our pupils and their achievements. Staff nominate 'Artist of the Term', Computer Scientist of the Term', etc.

In Art and Creative Technology lessons, Catholic Social Teachings are alive! Throughout our expressive and diverse curriculum, pupils have endless opportunities to express themselves and to live out Catholic Social Teachings in all that they do. We aspire to engage our artists and designers in the world around them, teaching them the importance of Solidarity, often allowing pupils to work in pairs or small groups, developing opportunities for growth and promoting confidence.

Art & Creative Technologies