Let me take you on a walk around our school – sculptures have plinths, textiles are hung, paintings and drawings are framed. Yes it’s ‘like being in an art gallery’ as many visitors have said. Children are so proud about their art that the atmosphere when moving around the school is calm and respectful, the art is always a talking point for children, staff and visitors.

Beecroft Garden, a Primary School in South London, doesn’t have an art room. On an art day you can see the children’s excitement with the tables moved around, covered, everything removed and replaced with different tools. Changing the classroom like this allows the children to believe anything is possible. The art making takes place within the children’s familiar daily space where they learn their maths, science, writing, reading. This is often how the children have made meaningful connections between art and other subjects, vocabulary from all other areas of learning being used alongside an evolving art vocabulary.

My presentation will highlight examples of how children’s art – both individual and collaborative, develops curiosity, problem solving and resilience. The experience becomes transformative. Inspired also by many different artists that reflect the diversity in our school community and local area, the children become empowered, allowing them to explore different versions of themselves through art. They become agents for their own learning. Our ART GALLERY school is a testament to this!