Art: Subject Leader Network

The online network meetings bring together art leaders from across the UK and beyond, providing a supportive space to learn, connect and share best practices. Led by Kerry Howarth, an experienced primary art consultant and teacher (www.primaryartskills.co.uk), these sessions offer an opportunity to exchange ideas with other art leaders, explore relevant topics and tap into a community of art subject leaders. At times, we may also be joined by a guest speaker who can bring value to our meeting. You’ll feel part of a community, gain practical ideas and knowledge to use in your school and come away feeling inspired and supported.

Autumn: 8.10.26

In this session we will:

Learn about recent and relevant developments in the art education world and explore resources and opportunities that can be used in school. Explore and identify a range of art and design enrichment experiences for your pupils. Discuss various ways in which to develop art and design in your school. Map the subject leadership tasks you are required to carry out over the academic year so you can plan new developments effectively and reduce overwhelm. Identify what you would like to focus on this term.

Spring: 21.1.27

In this session we will:

Learn about recent and relevant developments in the art education world and explore resources and opportunities that can be used in school. Outline practical ways of monitoring art and design – sharing how is it going so far this academic year? Explore practical strategies for supporting your teaching colleagues in their art and design lessons.
Planning and delivering your own training in school. Identify what you would like to focus on this term.

Summer: 6.5.27

In this session we will:

Analyse the new National Curriculum (Spring 2027) and discuss how the recommended changes may impact your curriculum in the future. Discuss ways in which to order art resources for your school and how to get the most out of your budget! Share how we store different equipment and materials and identify top tips for making these tasks easier. Discuss your art and design development plan – celebrate successes and outline areas for further development. Identify what you would like to focus on this term.

"Very useful, in articular how we assess"

"I’ve loved both of the sessions I’ve attended, they’ve given me so many ideas to share with the staff"

"Thank you very much. Given me lots of ideas about how to encourage the children to use their sketchbooks. I'll share with the staff."

"This has all been really helpful. Especially the fear of the blank pages and coffee stains :) "

Kerry Howarth

Primary Art & Design specialist teacher based in the North West of England and providing school based training and primary Art & Design CPD courses.

Alongside part-time primary teaching,Kerry has also worked freelance for various arts and culture organisations such as The Wordsworth Trust, The National Trust and Cumbria Arts in Education where she worked directly with schools and practitioners on the Creative Partnerships programme. Kerry is very passionate about teacher training and for the last 8 years has taught an art & design module to local School Direct students. Kerry is rightly proud to have taught both lectures and seminars on a local PGCE course too.

Her wonderful mixing pot of freelance art education roles along with primary teaching has provided her with a greater understanding and appreciation of art education and the value it has in our lives