Sophie Leach

I have been busy preparing for the 4th Artist-Teacher in Adult Community Learning Conference, taking place online on 21st March 2026.

This year’s theme, Making Space!

Abstract submissions open Monday, 17th November 2025!

@nsead.bsky.social

Love your young artists big galactic discoveries
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So proud! Children in Y5 have used dry brushwork & acrylic to paint these beautiful compositions inspired by Hubble photographs & artists Lucien Rudaux, Chris Rivers & Cathrin Machin.
@sophieleach.bsky.social
@darrellwakelam.bsky.social @penahay.bsky.social @artukdotorg.bsky.social #PrimaryArt

I am so proud of Y6, powerful images from our WW2 drawing focus studying iconic photography including Lee Miller and Robert Capa and the art of Henry Moore and Paul Nash. Super proud 🤩 @sophieleach.bsky.social @artteachjess.bsky.social @darrellwakelam.bsky.social @penahay.bsky.social #PrimaryArt

It is always special to see research in print, and I am grateful to be able to contribute to ongoing conversations around artist-teachers, dual identities, and adult community learning.

@nsead.bsky.social

We want to congratulate ALL students and teachers for helping young people to achieve their potential. Art and design A level (GCE) entries have decreased very slightly this year, whilst across nearly all grades attainment has risen. 1/2

An intense & fun week. Mon - cultural day,Tues & Wed I took year 7s to National Portrait Gallery. Thurs art workshops & every Yr 7 created at least one letter for slogans for display. Inspired by Bob & Roberta Smith.
Food is fuel for our brains
Art makes children powerful
Design is our future

Highlights of the year showcasing art from EYFS to Year 6. It’s a joy to create this & see the artistry & creativity throughout my school. Thanks to everyone for all the likes retweets & follows! Have a wonderful summer everyone! 🤩 #PrimaryArt @sophieleach.bsky.social @artteachjess.bsky.social

Being heard and having voice in art and design: 🙌🙌🙌

Your art-filled home straight is really incredible. But ALL your films this year here, have been a highlight of my bluesky 🎥 🙌🙌🙌

Wow… young artists learning the power of visual language. Amazing

Year 4 have been studying the street art of Egyptian artist Aya Tarek. Linked to Human Rights, their compositions painted in acrylic are inspired by equality, diversity, education, privacy and protection. #PrimaryArt
@penahay.bsky.social
@begley.bsky.social

Inspired by Windrush, Year 5 created these mixed media compositions using printing & drawing. Focusing on themes of migration & journeys we learned about the incredible work of artist Ade Adesina. 🤩 #PrimaryArt #Windrush @sophieleach.bsky.social @darrellwakelam.bsky.social @artteachjess.bsky.social

Incredible… the power of drawing and the power of artist educators - all in one space and day 🙌🙌🙌

I love attending @nsead.bsky.social workshops! Even though I’m knackered I’m inspired again!! Thank you!! So lovely to spend time with great colleagues such as @sophieleach.bsky.social and @ms-williams100.bsky.social

Fantastic #NSEAD SEAD day - hosted by the awesome #RoyalDrawingSchool Great to see more, hear more about n the power of drawing’, this being the name of their fantastic exhibition celebrating 25 years of the school. Total joy to meet IRL so many members and RDS artists

Studying the work of Henry Moore and Tony Cragg, Year 3 have explored sculpture vocabulary to create these vibrant sculptures made from clay and wire inspired by weathering and natural forms. 🤩
#PrimaryArt @sophieleach.bsky.social @nsead.bsky.social @begley.bsky.social

Reception classes loved painting this collaborative painting using pallet knives inspired by Van Gogh & their literacy text ‘Katie & the Starry Night’. They were fascinated by the textures and shadows once dry. Can’t wait to hang it! #PrimaryArt
@sophieleach.bsky.social @darrellwakelam.bsky.social

It was a joy to lead this ‘in conversation’ piece with @mollyhankinson.bsky.social for @nsead.bsky.social AD Magazine. Molly’s work against gender based violence is fantastic.

#vawg #endgbv #nsead #murals #arteducation

All sharing how to repair the year-on-year devaluing of arts in schools and beyond. Reflecting on the 2014 reductive and backwards facing art and design national curriculum, we shared...

This sounds really good and forward looking. For too long STEM subjects have been to the fore with little regard to arts and crafts. We do need STEACM (doesn’t quite work but craft shouldn’t be forgotten or sidelined!

Thrilled to be in this special issue of iJADE on Imagination.

Thanks to Dr Penny Hay!

Read it for free here: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/14768070...

@nsead.bsky.social

We are calling for a local, relevant, contemporary, future-facing art, craft and design curriculum - a national curriculum where every child is represented, and all can achieve.'

Image: #MonicaLewis, 2025 'Educate to Liberate, #NSEAD Community with Purpose illustration, AD magazine #43

'NSEAD has seen a widening gap in provision... it is not okay to see the best art departments getting better, and for others to lose their way. The Curriculum and Assessment Review is an opportunity to reset, repair and rebuild the arts in schools.

Grateful to speak and privileged to hear so many esteemed speakers in today's #WestminsterEducationForum: 'Next steps for creative education in England - creative subjects in schools, FE and HEIs, progression'. Speaker include leaders of schools, higher education, cultural and arts organisations.1/3

I have had a brilliant morning online at the National Society for Education in Art and Design (NSEAD) Conference 2025!

@nsead.bsky.social

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It’s sooo powerful. Your contribution - for this issue -
may be small but only in size - but its message is so powerful. Thank you for sharing your wisdom

🌟 The new issue of AD magazine has just landed: Community with Purpose – and it’s a powerful one.

I'm honoured to have contributed a small piece!

@nsead.bsky.social

👉 You can access the full issue here: www.nsead.org/publications...

Me too… so hoping you’ll keep your regular gallery drops here 📸🖼️🗿✨