Year 6 painting focus. Icebergs. Linked to climate activism human impact. Children learned about climate artists David McEown. Children chose watercolour or acrylic. So proud of their confident brushwork! @sophieleach.bsky.social @darrellwakelam.bsky.social @penahay.bsky.social #PrimaryArt

Key dates: • Abstract deadline: Friday 23 January 2026 • Notification: Friday 6 February 2026 • Conference: Saturday 21 March 2026 Enquiries: [email protected] Join the conversation: #ATACL26 @nsead.bsky.social

Incredibly proud of my friend Thomas and our local football club #CrystalPalaceFC Education, community and football working together. A great real story youtu.be/Sdm0ivB4lQw?...

Awesome sketchbook work from our Y6 children who will be painting icebergs using watercolour techniques or acrylics and pallet knives. Today focused on research and studying our focus artists. They can’t wait to get started!

I have been busy preparing for the 4th Artist-Teacher in Adult Community Learning Conference, taking place online on 21st March 2026. This year’s theme, Making Space! Abstract submissions open Monday, 17th November 2025! @nsead.bsky.social

So proud! Children in Y5 have used dry brushwork & acrylic to paint these beautiful compositions inspired by Hubble photographs & artists Lucien Rudaux, Chris Rivers & Cathrin Machin. @sophieleach.bsky.social @darrellwakelam.bsky.social @penahay.bsky.social @artukdotorg.bsky.social #PrimaryArt

I am so proud of Y6, powerful images from our WW2 drawing focus studying iconic photography including Lee Miller and Robert Capa and the art of Henry Moore and Paul Nash. Super proud 🤩 @sophieleach.bsky.social @artteachjess.bsky.social @darrellwakelam.bsky.social @penahay.bsky.social #PrimaryArt

It is always special to see research in print, and I am grateful to be able to contribute to ongoing conversations around artist-teachers, dual identities, and adult community learning. @nsead.bsky.social

We want to congratulate ALL students and teachers for helping young people to achieve their potential. Art and design A level (GCE) entries have decreased very slightly this year, whilst across nearly all grades attainment has risen. 1/2

An intense & fun week. Mon - cultural day,Tues & Wed I took year 7s to National Portrait Gallery. Thurs art workshops & every Yr 7 created at least one letter for slogans for display. Inspired by Bob & Roberta Smith. Food is fuel for our brains Art makes children powerful Design is our future

Highlights of the year showcasing art from EYFS to Year 6. It’s a joy to create this & see the artistry & creativity throughout my school. Thanks to everyone for all the likes retweets & follows! Have a wonderful summer everyone! 🤩 #PrimaryArt @sophieleach.bsky.social @artteachjess.bsky.social

Year 4 have been studying the street art of Egyptian artist Aya Tarek. Linked to Human Rights, their compositions painted in acrylic are inspired by equality, diversity, education, privacy and protection. #PrimaryArt @penahay.bsky.social @begley.bsky.social

Inspired by Windrush, Year 5 created these mixed media compositions using printing & drawing. Focusing on themes of migration & journeys we learned about the incredible work of artist Ade Adesina. 🤩 #PrimaryArt #Windrush @sophieleach.bsky.social @darrellwakelam.bsky.social @artteachjess.bsky.social

I love attending @nsead.bsky.social workshops! Even though I’m knackered I’m inspired again!! Thank you!! So lovely to spend time with great colleagues such as @sophieleach.bsky.social and @ms-williams100.bsky.social

Fantastic #NSEAD SEAD day - hosted by the awesome #RoyalDrawingSchool Great to see more, hear more about n the power of drawing’, this being the name of their fantastic exhibition celebrating 25 years of the school. Total joy to meet IRL so many members and RDS artists

Studying the work of Henry Moore and Tony Cragg, Year 3 have explored sculpture vocabulary to create these vibrant sculptures made from clay and wire inspired by weathering and natural forms. 🤩 #PrimaryArt @sophieleach.bsky.social @nsead.bsky.social @begley.bsky.social

Reception classes loved painting this collaborative painting using pallet knives inspired by Van Gogh & their literacy text ‘Katie & the Starry Night’. They were fascinated by the textures and shadows once dry. Can’t wait to hang it! #PrimaryArt @sophieleach.bsky.social @darrellwakelam.bsky.social

It was a joy to lead this ‘in conversation’ piece with @mollyhankinson.bsky.social for @nsead.bsky.social AD Magazine. Molly’s work against gender based violence is fantastic. #vawg #endgbv #nsead #murals #arteducation

This sounds really good and forward looking. For too long STEM subjects have been to the fore with little regard to arts and crafts. We do need STEACM (doesn’t quite work but craft shouldn’t be forgotten or sidelined!

Thrilled to be in this special issue of iJADE on Imagination. Thanks to Dr Penny Hay! Read it for free here: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/14768070... @nsead.bsky.social

Grateful to speak and privileged to hear so many esteemed speakers in today's #WestminsterEducationForum: 'Next steps for creative education in England - creative subjects in schools, FE and HEIs, progression'. Speaker include leaders of schools, higher education, cultural and arts organisations.1/3

I have had a brilliant morning online at the National Society for Education in Art and Design (NSEAD) Conference 2025! @nsead.bsky.social

🌟 The new issue of AD magazine has just landed: Community with Purpose – and it’s a powerful one. I'm honoured to have contributed a small piece! @nsead.bsky.social 👉 You can access the full issue here: www.nsead.org/publications...

Y3 have created their own paper relief shape collages learning about artist Sean Thornhill. Great opportunities for playing with colour, position & layering. Children were fascinated by the different things they can see within each others compositions, including geckos and faces! 🤩 #PrimaryArt

Look at these: tacit, conceptual and affective learning in spades. Amazing work

Some words that came from my soul… niallharbison.substack.com/p/the-journe...

NSEAD Gen. Sec., Michele Gregson, recently wrote an opinion piece for @schoolsweek.bsky.social reflecting on the way the curriculum review’s evidence that art & design are thriving masks concerning statistics and some very real weaknesses in our national offer. Read the full article - link in bio

Join our #PhD community to explore the history of collaborations & competition between #TheNationalGallery London & national networks Applications are open for a fully funded PhD scholarship @universityofleeds.bsky.social from October 2025 Closing date: 16 May 2025 ahc.leeds.ac.uk/fine-art/new...

So grateful to designer / artist Maddie Marshall who is sharing with NSEAD members the impacts of AI on: the environment + global emissions; on health, bias, misinformation, cognition, divergent thinking, and more. Recommended reading is Maddie's free and amazing zine: madagasc.art/art-v-ai/?fb...

NOAH DAVIS… go see before it closes #BarbicanCentre Paintings, life stories, life-collages, community; re-told art stories. Gorgeous, gorgeous paintings. Noah Davis (1983-2015): ‘I’d rather fail at painting than be successful at anything else.’

iJADE Conference 2025 | Ecologies Registration and abstract submissions open now! 🗓️ Thursday 6 November & Saturday 8 November 2025 📍 Hybrid - Online & Arnolfini, UWE Bristol Registration details, call for papers and more information can be found on our website - link in bio _ #iJADE2025

88% of senior leaders said that the pupil premium – extra funding provided to schools to support disadvantaged pupils – is less than needed to fully support those pupils. This means that many students from the poorest backgrounds won’t receive the additional help they need.

Linked to their geography topic, Y2 (6-7yrs old) have created architectural collages combining landmarks from London & Mumbai using contouring to draw landscapes inspired by the work of Anastasia Savinova. 🤩 #PrimaryArt @sophieleach.bsky.social @penahay.bsky.social @artteachjess.bsky.social

Attending the webinar for #ReportCard2025, that shows: poverty limits access to Arts education. Students in the most deprived areas are far less likely to study Expressive Arts at GCSE + A Level. Where you grow up should not determine your future www.culturallearningalliance.org.uk/evidence/

In awe of the #SuperPowerOfLooking (SPOL) Teacher Champions #TheCourtauld SPOL/visual literacy develops 📌Emotional intelligence (reflection and articulation of feelings) 📌Fun and engagement 📌Problem solving and creative thinking 📌Agency and… 📌Resilence e.g. Changing ‘I can’t draw’ to ‘I can draw’

We need creativity in schs, much more: ‘The concentration of the arts in private schools & wealthy areas is unjust – not simply because, along with science and maths, they can be a route to good jobs but because participation in arts and culture is life-enhancing’ www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Vacancy @CraftsCouncil: Senior learning and participation manager www.craftscouncil.org.uk/sector-suppo...

IT’S A WRAP… a day of golden threads, inspiration + ideas, connection + compassion. The ATACL artist educator community is special. Thank you @drabbiecairns.bsky.social for seeing how important it is to connect this vital community, and for working with @nsead.bsky.social to make it happen

NSEAD’s ‘Beyond Boundaries’ adult teaching & community learning conference. Lou Chiu of Atkinson HR - what an incredible keynote - pertinent/knowledgeable/vital - ‘The marriage between theory and practice’ - what does allyship mean, and what does it mean for organisations, groups and individuals

Y1 have been reading “Dinosaurs and All that Rubbish” in Literacy lessons. We were inspired by the work of Abhijeet Shrivastava and his use of charcoal. Here we have dinosaurs on the rampage and studies of T-Rex Skulls! 🤩 @sophieleach.bsky.social @penahay.bsky.social #PrimaryArt #EduSky

As part of their drawing focus, Y3 (age 8-9 yrs old) have been learning about photorealistic artist Paul Cadden. Using 4b pencils children have varied pressure and layered to bring these different landscapes to life. 🤩 @sophieleach.bsky.social @penahay.bsky.social #PrimaryArt #EduSky

The Curriculum Review (CAR) interim report is published. We agree: 'The system is not working well for all.' Key areas needing reform: the impact of the Ebacc, the importance of digital literacy, critical thinking + green skills. Our subject-specific response in full: www.nsead.org/news/newsroo...

SAVE ARTS SUBJECTS, Times letter ... The Ebacc set up a devastating and harmful subject hierarchy. We call on the Curriculum & Assessment Review (CAR) to address the impact of the Ebacc + Progress 8: they're limiting learner choice and pushing the arts to the margins www.thetimes.com/article/28ca...

Year 6 (10 & 11 tears old) have completed their anatomical drawings. Based on human, animal & toy anatomy & inspired by Leonardo Da Vinci & Jason Freeny. Super proud! 🤩 #PrimaryArt #ArtEd @sophieleach.bsky.social @artteachjess.bsky.social @penahay.bsky.social @darrellwakelam.bsky.social

@nsead.bsky.social is the union for art, craft and design teachers… we protect and defend our subject and members. This is why…

@ArtsandMinds coalition ambassador #BobandRobertaSmith, NSEAD patron, saying it how it is: “Labour must ditch the Ebacc and get rid of progress 8. Without showing leadership in this area it’s all just warm words that will betray our creative children.” www.theguardian.com/education/20...

@gallery_no.32: Fantastic #WinterSculpturePark ‘25 opening - best sculptures, surprises, experimenters, makers and play. Thank you #AndyAsh NSEAD President + @alexis.bamforth_eec for sharing your awesome performance + provocations; @wyliework for inspiring conversations. 🎟️ www.galleryno32.co.uk

This is the new Roden Centre for Creative Learning @NationalGallery. Can you see the shapes and forms of 12 artworks? The centre includes a double-height studio for creating and a fantastic sensory learning space 💛 Miracles by @LawsonWardStudio @kareneslea, the fab learning team and many more 🪄

I am so pleased to be welcoming Lou Chiu as the keynote to our third Artist-Teacher in Adult Community Learning Conference! Lou will be talking about making sense of allyship, if you would like to catch this keynote join us online on Saturday 22nd March! @nsead.bsky.social #ATACL25

Our annual conference brings together art educators from across the UK, from all phases & sectors engaged in art, craft & design education. A key event in your calendar to keep up to date with the latest developments for our subject, connect with others & exchange ideas. Link in bio.