We’re excited to announce an important step forward for The Art-Room: our primary school art workshops are now aligned with the Artsmark Award , accredited by Arts Council England . This means schools working towards Artsmark can confidently book Art-Room workshops knowing they directly support Artsmark priorities and help evidence high-quality creative learning. Supporting Primary Schools on Their Artsmark Journey Artsmark is the national quality standard for arts and cultur

Creativity has long been recognised as an essential part of primary education. Art, in particular, supports children’s confidence, problem-solving skills and self-expression. It is still firmly embedded in the National Curriculum, but how it looks in practice can vary greatly from school to school. Children Drawing Art in the Primary Classroom Today Most primary schools aim to offer a broad and balanced curriculum, and art remains an important component. Many schools plan reg

Mental health challenges affect millions of people worldwide, and finding effective ways to support recovery is essential. One creative and therapeutic activity gaining attention is willow weaving. This traditional craft, which involves shaping flexible willow branches into baskets, sculptures, and other forms, offers more than just a creative outlet. It can play a significant role in improving mental well-being. Willow weaving combines physical activity, mindfulness, and art

Playtime in primary schools is so much more than a pause in the school day. When children are given the freedom to play creatively, they build strong relationships, develop their imaginations and learn how to communicate, negotiate and collaborate with one another. Creative play supports positive mental health, giving children the space to feel calm, confident and connected. These unstructured moments are often where children thrive the most. At Art Room , I create living wil

School trips have long been seen as a highlight of the academic year. A day out, a packed lunch, and a coach ride to an exciting destination often feel like a rite of passage of school life. However, with rising travel costs and increasing pressures on school budgets and families, many schools are beginning to question whether large-scale trips always offer the best value, educationally, financially, or emotionally. Increasingly, schools are discovering that bringing speciali

Teaching Art in Primary Schools: Learning by Doing, Talking by Thinking Art lessons in primary schools should be vibrant, thoughtful, and active . At their best, they are spaces where children are creating, questioning, and learning through doing, not sitting passively listening for long periods of time. One of my core beliefs about teaching art is simple: children should be actively making art for the majority of the lesson . Ideally, around 80% of the time  should be spent

Every year, our home fills with Christmas magic when our cheeky elves, Max and Tinsel , arrive. For my two girls, ages 9 and 11, the elves aren’t just visitors, they’re part of the family, bringing laughter, mischief and plenty of fun. This year, we will be combining their arrival with Christmas art activities , turning the excitement into creative fun. Here are some of the things we will be doing. Elf Portraits & Welcome Letters The girls draw their version of Max and Tinse

Christmas Tree Cone Art Project As the festive season approaches, Christmas provides a wonderful opportunity to bring creativity, warmth and a sense of celebration into art lessons and projects. Whether you’re teaching Early Years, KS1 or KS2, seasonal projects can spark imagination, support key art skills and fill your classroom with beautiful winter artwork. Below are some inspiring Christmas art ideas and lesson themes, all easily adaptable and designed to complement the r

Choosing the right workshop topic can make all the difference between a good experience and a fantastic one. Whether you’re organising an activity for a school, WI group, community event, or a creative day with friends, the “best” workshop topic is usually the one that brings people together, teaches a new skill, and leaves everyone with something they’re proud to take home. 1. Choose a Topic That Sparks Curiosity The best workshop topics are those that instantly make people

New Art Lesson Plans for Primary Schools – More on the Way! I’m excited to announce that on my website, I’m currently building a new collection of art lesson plans for primary schools , designed especially for teachers who want engaging, easy‑to‑use resources in the classroom. These lesson plans are intended to help you deliver creative, structured sessions with confidence. Each plan will outline objectives, materials, step‑by‑step activities, and extension ideas, all to supp

Willow is a remarkable material, lightweight, flexible, and naturally renewable. Historically, it was used for baskets, tools, and everyday crafts and today it offers incredible potential for sustainable practices in art and design. One of the key benefits of willow is its low carbon footprint . It grows quickly, requires minimal water, and can be harvested repeatedly without harming the environment. Using willow in art and craft projects is not only creative but also a way t

I’m often asked to run art clubs in schools , and while I would love to say yes every time, I don’t always have the time to fit them in. Occasionally, I do accept, especially for schools local to me in Barnsley. For the past few years, I’ve had the pleasure of running an art club at Monk Fryston Primary School . The children, aged 5 to 11, explore all sorts of creative projects. I love linking our art activities to seasonal celebrations, creating special projects for Christm

One of my favourite parts of being a visiting artist is bringing new and exciting crafts into the classroom, the kinds of creative activities that often get missed out in the usual curriculum. My creative workshops for schools  give children the chance to explore different materials, learn new techniques, and discover the joy of making something truly unique. Wet Felting One of the most popular workshops I teach is wet felting , a lovely, hands-on way to create pictures using

I always think it’s funny to call myself an artist . When I hear that word, I picture someone with their work displayed in a gallery, surrounded by people nodding thoughtfully at paintings. But being an artist isn’t just about galleries, it’s also about sharing creativity and inspiring others. For me, that happens in schools. As a visiting artist , I get to create art in front of children, and it’s one of the most rewarding things I do. It always makes me smile when I hear a

Hello! I’m Christine, a former primary school teacher and the owner of The Art Room . Ten years ago, while on maternity leave, I had the idea to start a company that combined my love of teaching with my passion for creativity. I wanted to bring more art, imagination, and hands-on learning into primary schools and that’s how The Art Room  began. What started as a small idea has grown into something truly special. Today, I deliver a wide range of art workshops for primary schoo