Art- where creativity meets curiosity at Marlborough St Mary's.

Our Vision:

At Marlborough St Mary’s, we envision a school that is inclusive, happy, and successful, nestled in the heart of our vibrant local community. Together, our families and dedicated staff empower our children to become confident, independent learners who care for themselves, each other, and the world around them. We encourage our students to be brilliant, be bold, be kind, and together we believe, learn, and achieve.

Subject: Art (Led by Miss B. Ambrosini)

Understanding Art at Marlborough St Mary’s:

We believe that art is an important and exciting subject in its own right. Art is a form of human creativity and expression, that allows our young artists to experiment, experience, and be bold with their creativity. It encourages them to reflect and critically evaluate their own and others' work. Art inspires our children for their futures by preparing them to think differently.

The 4 Drivers of Learning at Marlborough St Mary’s:

Our art curriculum is grounded in the four key drivers that shape all of our learning: Read, Talk, Pride, and Marlborough. These principles ensure that every child, no matter their background, is equipped with the tools they need to succeed and thrive.

• Read: Reading plays a key role in our art curriculum. Students are encouraged to explore the stories behind the artists, their backgrounds, and the cultural contexts that influence their work. By reading about artists, their journeys, and the impact of their art, students develop a deeper understanding of the world of art and learn to think critically about their own creative practices.
• Talk: We believe that conversation is a vital part of the creative process. In art, students talk about their ideas, discuss the techniques they use, and critique their work and the work of others. Through these discussions, children build confidence in articulating their thoughts and expressing their creativity with clarity. Talk is also central to reflecting on the impact of their art in the world and considering different perspectives.
• Pride: We nurture a deep sense of pride in our students' work. Each child is encouraged to take ownership of their creativity, showing pride in their progress and achievements. Our art lessons are designed to foster a sense of accomplishment, and we celebrate the individual journey that each student takes. We want every child to feel proud of their artwork and confident in their ability to experiment, take risks, learn new skills and grow as an artist.
• Marlborough: Our local community is a powerful source of inspiration and Marlborough itself serves as a backdrop for sketching. Students are encouraged to reflect on their surroundings, their sense of belonging, and the importance of their community. This connection to Marlborough helps students understand the world around them and fosters a love for their local environment.

 

Our Commitment to Disadvantaged Learners

At Marlborough St Mary’s, we firmly believe that every child, regardless of their background or circumstances, deserves the opportunity to experience the joy, empowerment, and self-expression that comes through art. We are deeply committed to supporting disadvantaged learners, ensuring that all children have equal access to the resources, experiences, and opportunities necessary for them to thrive as artists.

Through differentiated instruction, targeted support, and personalized learning, we make sure that all students—especially those facing additional challenges—feel confident, supported, and motivated to reach their full artistic potential. Our approach fosters an inclusive environment where every learner feels valued, inspired, and encouraged to take ownership of their creative journey.

We celebrate the diversity of our learners, recognizing that each child brings a unique perspective to their art. By nurturing creativity, self-expression, and confidence, we help students develop the resilience to face challenges and the curiosity to explore new ideas. Every child, particularly those who may need extra support, is encouraged to take creative risks, push boundaries, and take pride in their progress.

In addition to providing rich classroom experiences, we also offer students opportunities to broaden their artistic horizons by visiting local galleries and exploring exhibitions further afield. These experiences deepen their understanding of art, expose them to a wider range of artistic styles and ideas, and inspire them to think critically about the world of art. For our disadvantaged learners, these outings can be life-changing, opening doors to new possibilities and helping them see that art is a pathway to both personal expression and future opportunities.

Intent-What We Aim For:

Our engaging and active art curriculum at Marlborough St Mary’s is designed to be inclusive and experiential. We enrich children’s learning through practical, skills- based activities that build curiosity and resilience. In a caring, inclusive environment based on Christian values, we nurture creativity, imagination, and a love for learning. Our curriculum is challenging, sequential, and aspirational for all, linking to real-life experiences and preparing our pupils to become global citizens.

Implementation-How We Teach Art:

The teaching of art focuses on a blend of both knowledge and skills. Lessons build progressively, allowing students to reflect on, revisit and refine their learning. We explore the work of diverse artists, offering students the chance to connect with the broader world of art and reflect on how different backgrounds, inspirations and personal journeys shape and influence art work and the skills used within them. Students use various media and keep sketchbooks to track their ideas and development, to record their development and ideas

Assessment and Progress:

At Marlborough St Mary’s, assessment is an ongoing, supportive process. Teachers adapt lessons according to the needs of their class and provide real-time feedback and celebrate progress, offering guidance to help students overcome challenges and misconceptions.We encourage students to use specific art vocabulary to self-assess their work and reflect on the work of others. Students also get to visit galleries and meet real-life artists, broadening their understanding of art and potentially sparking an interest in art as a future career.

Impact-The Result:

At Marlborough St Mary’s, our students demonstrate pride in their progress and confidence in their artwork. Their sketchbooks showcase strong development from initial ideas, and they can articulate and critique their learning journeys using specific art vocabulary. As our students make their transition to secondary school, they are equipped with the skills, confidence, and independence to pursue their artistic passions in KS3 and beyond.

We are especially proud to see our disadvantaged learners overcome challenges and discover their potential, becoming resilient, reflective, and bold young artists ready to continue their journey.