Hi! I’m Jenny!
I’m a qualified primary school teacher with over 20 years experience of teaching and leading schools, a love of art and a belief in the importance of art for everyone.
I’ll be honest – I really struggle to call myself an ‘artist’ but I’ve learnt that drawing, making and creating are what drive me and make me happiest. I have tried my hand at many different art forms, playing with painting, printing and textile art. As I’m lucky to live on the edge of the Peak District, the landscape and nature make their into much of my work. I am currently challenging myself to draw or paint from nature every week for the whole year to capture the changing seasons. I’m calling this #52WeeksofNature and you can follow this on Instagram.
Until very recently, art was very much a hobby for me alongside my busy role working in primary schools. Even in these roles, however, I always promoted the arts and protected creativity. For 8 years I was Head of a large primary school in Sheffield, which I loved. In that role I was able to work with amazing teachers, families, children and bring them in contact with arts organisations and experiences. I was able to take children to galleries, sculpture parks and work with artists to develop a curriculum that raised children’s belief in their own creative potential. I saw how important art was but also unfortunately how little it was sometimes valued.
Following the COVID lockdowns, I worked with Create Sheffield to deliver a series of sessions for schools called ‘Why Creativity Matters Now’. At this point many schools were starting to see the impact that time away from school had had on children’s mental health. This is something that I think continues to affect certain children and I continue to champion the role of art and creativity in the curriculum as a vital right for every child.
I now combine being a part-time Year 3 teacher with running art workshops in the community and in schools. In addition I lead art CPD for teachers and art subject leaders in primary schools.
I am also lucky to be mum of 3 amazing primary-aged girls. They amaze me with their own creative output every day and have helped me to understand how creativity needs some freedom and space. I’m lucky to have my own space to get messy and I continue to play every day!
My approach
I believe art is essential and vital to our world and everyone should have access to a high quality art education and experiences. I also believe that everyone can do art (and should!) Unfortunately many people, children and teachers included, believe they can’t do art, that it’s for others and perhaps not that important. I aim to provide ideas, confidence and the chance to play in a safe, inviting atmosphere so that everyone feels comfortable to have a go and enjoy creating for creating’s sake.
Techniques and creativity hand in hand
Creativity is SO important but so are techniques! There is nothing more annoying than choosing the wrong paper and finding it soaked through by paint until a hole forms. Children don’t need to discover everything through play – being taught some basic techniques will allow their creativity to flourish.
Sustainable development
The activities I teach in workshops and the support I give schools is intended to provide techniques, skills and beliefs that are easily replicable and that will inspire future creative activities. It might not be the best business model but my aim is to enable children and teachers to confidently develop their creativity without me!
Entitlement over Enrichment
Art enrichment activities are great but shouldn’t be confused with entitlement. Everyone is entitled to art and it shouldn’t be thought of as a nice add-on, something that is a treat or can only be considered when everything else has been finished. When I’m working with schools, I ensure that activities are there to enhance and complement the curriculum and not to take the place of it. I also work to support schools to develop a curriculum that is manageable, relevant and achievable within all the constraints of time, money, and confidence that schools work within.
