What is the purpose of this webinar?
This webinar is part of a series around curriculum enrichment in primary schools as part of the extensive Rethinking the Curriculum project. This series aims to support and equip both teachers and school leaders with the knowledge and skills to identify, plan and implement curriculum development work in a sustainable, creative and impactful way.
Who is this webinar aimed at?
This webinar will be particularly valuable to primary teachers, those involved in curriculum design more broadly, and all educators who want to learn about using art to enhance their curriculum offer.
What does the webinar explore?
This webinar will introduce the ‘Superpower of Looking’ project, which aims to develop the use of art in the primary classroom to develop key skills, including visual literary, oracy and critical thinking. In this webinar, five teacher researchers share their journey as part of this project, outlining how they have adopted this approach and explore the implications of this in their own primary setting.
How could I use this webinar to support my team?
This webinar could be re-watched with your school leadership or teaching teams to develop a shared understanding of this approach. We have prepared some reflective questions that could be used to inform discussions and begin to consider what this might look like in your context.
The webinar has been edited split into the following sections:
- 0.06 – 4.55 – Tina Corri, Head of Learning at Art UK, introduces the ‘The Superpower of Looking’ project.
- 4.56 – 14.31 – Susan Ogier, Senior Lecturer in Primary Education at University of Roehampton and Project lead/ Art UK Academic Partner, explains the importance of using art to develop key skills, including visual literary and critical thinking. She also introduces five teacher researchers who took part in the project and will present their journey and findings (see below).
- 14.32 – 23.50 – Gemma Hankinson, Teacher Researcher; Upper KS2 lead at Offley Primary Academy, Cheshire.
- 23.57 – 30.57 – Helen Jones, Teacher Researcher; Assistant Headteacher/Art Lead at Pilgrims Way Primary School, Southwark.
- 31.18 – 37.55 – Gill Sekatawa, Teacher Researcher; Art Lead, Nelson Academy, Eastern Multi Academy Trust, Norfolk.
- 38.22 – 47.46 – Elizabeth Harper, Teacher Researcher; Art Lead, St Gregory’s Catholic Primary School, Stoke-on-Trent.
- 47.56 – 55.20 – Mandy Barrett, Teacher Researcher; Specialist Art Teacher, Gomersal Primary, Bradford.
As you watch the webinar, you may wish to note down insights that build on your understanding of this work.
You may wish to consider:
- Why do images have the potential to be a powerful tool in developing key skills such as literacy and critical thinking?
- What is your/your team’s understanding of visual literacy? How do you currently develop skill in your context?
- How has the webinar resonated or shifted your current thinking around using art in your classroom practice?
- What barriers do your pupils face when looking, creating or engaging with art? Are they similar or different to those outlined in the presentation?
- The teacher researchers suggest there is a low level of teacher confidence when it comes to discussing and creating art at primary level. Does this resonate with your experience or that of your team? Are there any approaches that you may want to take forward to support your team with this in the future?
- What other subjects in your curriculum could benefit from incorporating this approach?
- Are there any other challenges that have arisen/you foresee if adopting this approach in your context? Is there any learning from the webinar that could help you overcome this?
- What are three key takeaways from the webinar that you may want to share with your teams/wider staff body?
- Are there any further questions you have about introducing, implementing or refining a similar approach?
