Participation in the Arts contributes greatly towards our pupils becoming well-rounded, empathetic and confident individuals.  Socially, the Arts are a way of bringing our school family (pupils, parents, staff, church and the local community) together to share ideas and experiences even though we may see the world in radically different ways. 

We recognise and encourage the arts both within and across the curriculum because we believe that they give children the tools to make sense of the world as well  communicate ideas and emotions. Indeed, exploring ideas and emotions through art has a recognisable and positive impact on children's mental and emotional health.

In addition to the discrete and specific Art curriculum (based on the National Curriculum), schemes of work for  History, Geography, English and RE all include explicit ways in which the arts can enhance learning. For example, the theme of ‘refugees’ was explored through the experience of trying to create a painting whilst needing to accommodate more and more people bringing in different colours and experiences. The experience of adapting and embracing the new and the unexpected yet still being able to produce a beautiful piece of work was a real 'growing' experience.

At St Michaels’ our aim in Art is to encourage the children to