VIEW FROM THE CLASSROOM
with little preparation and planning as the resources are easy to navigate and contain everything you need to teach high-quality, fun and engaging lessons. The activities and nudge questions are helpful prompts to start discussions and the inclusive nature of the resource – including things like music, sound and Makaton – means all learners are catered for.
What has pupils’ reactions to the programme been like?
The pupils were mesmerised from the very first lesson. They love that it gives them complete freedom in lessons to interpret the pictures and express their views or thoughts without fear of being wrong. It’s helped to break down barriers and encourage everyone to get involved because there is no one right answer, it is simply their own interpretations and perceptions. Pupils love being able to come up to the board and point out all the different things they see, or zoom in on the artworks on the iPads. They love being able to immerse themselves in the pictures, and it’s fantastic to see them coming at it from different perspectives.
What skills and knowledge have pupils developed?
Prior to exploring The Superpower of Looking, artworks produced during lessons were quite similar. But now, pupils’ creations are totally unique. It’s sharpened their powers of observation and has sparked greater creativity and freedom in expressing themselves and
their interpretations. This has also helped pupils develop a greater sense of appreciation for one another’s successes and differences, rather than comparing themselves. They now understand that everyone is creative in their own unique way, and this is genuinely celebrated – which aligns well with our whole-school approach to inclusivity. Confidence is another area that I’ve seen a marked improvement in. I have four children with SEND in my class, some of whom don’t often communicate or find it challenging to take part in lessons. Yet, after presenting a picture on the board and asking the children what they could see, one child put her hand up, approached the board and started pointing, and then began to name different things within the piece. It was amazing to see, and the whole class clapped in encouragement as it was something the individual had not been able to do beforehand. Visual literacy and the way they communicate with one another has improved as a result of using the resources too, as it helps the children put into words what they can see. For example instead of simply saying ‘I can see..’, they now say ‘I can see…because…’ and ‘The artist has chosen to explore this because..’.
Has it helped other subject areas? Exploring art and building these skills has been incredibly helpful for subjects like English. Rather than just asking them to read a book, we’ll now look at the illustrations to help pupils ‘see’ the story which helps them to understand the words on the page. The same can be said for
other subjects like science or history which can sometimes be daunting for pupils. But now, it’s meant that every child can access these lessons because we first look at things like imagery, illustrations, and facial expressions which sparks initial discussion and allows us to then explore further.
What would you say to other teachers looking for ways to bring art into the classroom?
The Superpower of Looking has not only changed my own perception of teaching art due to its simplicity and ease, but it has enhanced my knowledge, as well as the knowledge of my pupils. It has brought me enormous confidence, especially as an ECT and has been a great catalyst for expression, creativity and breaking down barriers. Programmes like this only enhance our inclusive culture, both from a skills perspective but also from a cultural capital standpoint. They are seeing artworks that they wouldn’t otherwise have access to, and this in itself opens their eyes to different cultures, countries, and stories, helping them feel represented and seen. There are endless possibilities and opportunities and I’m excited to see where it takes us over the coming years.
September 2024
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