Birchwood Junior School
I was invited to visit Birchwood Junior School to run workshops for each class in Y3, Y4, Y5 and Y6.
My proposal for the two day visit was to create a series of free standing and wall hanging artworks in collaboration with the children that reflected aspects of my own practice.
During the workshops the children printed and collaged onto recycled cardboard, cut out in various shapes to create trees, birds and other shapes and forms found in nature. As requested I also included some hedgehogs as these had recently been seen in the school grounds.
During each hour long session with me, groups from Y3 – Y6 participated in some form of printmaking, working onto the tree and animal sculptures, as well as creating individual prints. When not with me, the children worked on different printmaking activities that I had devised to be worked on with their classroom teachers in their own classrooms. I also created a YouTube tutorial to aid the teachers with some simple monoprinting techniques to create printed papers for collage activities.
Throughout the workshops I encouraged a playful and open approach to creating art, sharing several simple and accessible printmaking processes, which I taught to different groups according to their age and stage.
Each child produced their own individual work, as well as participating in the collaborative sculptures.
Can you explain your reasons for originally booking me to visit your school?
I wanted the children to have an enjoyable, memorable experience with a professional artist. I was looking for someone who could inspire both the children and the staff, helping to build confidence, creativity, and a positive attitude towards art.
Did you have any concerns about the workshop prior to my visits? (For example, time, relevance, pupil engagement.)
My main concerns were whether we would have enough equipment and space to complete the projects, as our classrooms are quite small for activities of this scale.
What challenges does your school face when organising art activities with the children?
One of our biggest challenges is teacher confidence in delivering creative art activities. We also have practical concerns around limited space and managing the mess that often comes with hands-on projects.
Did my workshops help solve some of these challenges? Can you give any specific examples?
Absolutely. The workshops helped address staff confidence by demonstrating engaging and achievable ways to teach art. It was also wonderful to see the children’s confidence grow as they realised what they were capable of creating, regardless of their previous experience or perceived ability.
Do you think the workshop activities were appropriate for your classes?
Yes, without a doubt. The workshops were outstanding and perfectly suited to our pupils. They opened our eyes to what else we could achieve in the future by working with Sam.
What would you say was the impact of my visit on the students and teachers with whom I worked?
The impact was significant for both pupils and staff. Confidence grew across the school, and the children developed resilience by learning that art is about creativity, exploration, and perseverance—not simply being able to draw. They discovered they could achieve far more than they had imagined.
Were there any students who were particularly inspired or responded in unexpected ways? If so, can you tell me a little more about this?
Many of the children were inspired by Sam’s own journey. They loved hearing how career paths can change and that following your interests with determination can lead to success. It encouraged them to believe in their own potential and see that achievement comes from passion, creativity, and perseverance.
Do you have any other comments?
Sam was exceptional. She was an inspiration to everyone in the school and brought incredible energy and enthusiasm throughout her visit. Despite working with a large number of classes, she never slowed down and gave every child the time, encouragement, and high-quality experience they deserved. Her passion was infectious, and the positive impact she had on both our pupils and staff will be remembered for a long time.