TransformED-Aligned Art & Design Lessons for Primary Schools

30+ structured, progressive, and ready-to-deliver Art & Design lessons for Primary 1–7.

 CPD Accredited |  Specialist-Led | Structured & Progressive |  Ready to Deliver

Designed around the direction of the proposed Northern Ireland Curriculum 2028, the Arts & Minds Portal gives teachers access to specialist Art & Design teaching without hours of planning.

Art & Design shouldn’t be an afterthought.

Primary schools want to provide rich, high-quality Art & Design experiences for their pupils. But teachers are often working with limited planning time, varying levels of subject confidence and skills, and an evolving curriculum.

And this is an issue being recognised across schools.

What was highlighted at an ETI conference?

A primary school principal who attended an ETI conference shared the following with me.

“At the ETI conference, it was made clear that Art is an area for development across many schools they have visited. They highlighted challenges around a lack of teacher expertise and noted that some lessons lacked creativity, with progression in skills not always evident.”

This highlights the importance of specialist, structured Art & Design provision that supports teachers to build confidence while developing pupils’ skills, creativity and progression.

 A specialist Art & Design programme — ready when you are.

You bring the pupils. We provide the Art & Design expertise.

The Arts & Minds Portal provides 30+ pre-recorded specialist Art & Design lessons, carefully structured to support progression from Primary 1 through Primary 7.

• ❌ No spending hours creating or searching for ideas.

• ❌ No anxiety having to teach a subject you lack confidence in.

• ❌ No need to be an Art & Design specialist.

• ✅ Just structured, purposeful Art & Design teaching that pupils can engage with and teachers can deliver with confidence.

  What happens when Art & Design becomes part of school life?

• The impact goes beyond the Art & Design lessonThe Arts & Minds Portal has already been supporting schools to develop meaningful Art & Design experiences, with pupils building skills and confidence through structured teaching, practical exploration and opportunities for creative expression.At St Mary’s Primary School, Pomeroy, the whole-school use of Arts & Minds Portal has become part of their wider learning experience.Following their ETI inspection, the school was asked to share examples of highly effective practice, including the high-quality and innovative learning experiences provided through its curriculum.

  The Principal, Mrs Hinfey, shared:

  “Our school community is the richer for it. Our corridors and classroom displays are vibrant and all our pupils enjoy the success of creating their own pieces of art and having it displayed.”

  From the classroom to the corridors.

  “Arts & Minds Portal helps schools create opportunities for pupils to develop their creativity, skills and confidence — while giving the whole school community the opportunity to see, celebrate and value their work.”

  The new TransformED-aligned Art & Design lessons build on this approach through structured, progressive teaching, with pupils guided through techniques and processes before being encouraged to make their own creative decisions about materials, techniques and self-expression.

Clear progression. Meaningful creativity. Confident teaching.

The programme is designed to develop Art & Design knowledge and skills progressively across the primary years. Pupils move from early mark-making and exploration towards greater control, creative decision-making, and increasingly complex skills and techniques.

Across the programme, pupils explore:

• Drawing and mark-making

• Colour theory & relationships

• Painting techniques

• Printing & pattern

• 3D construction & sculpture

• Textiles & soft construction

• Mixed media layers

• Artists and artistic movements

• Creative processes

• Digital editing tools

• Art & Design vocabulary

• Individual sketchbook development

Art & Design is taught as a subject — with progression, purpose, and creativity at its heart.

Simply Press Play.

Each lesson is delivered through a fully pre-recorded specialist video that can be played directly on the classroom whiteboard.

Pupils follow the lesson step-by-step while the teacher remains actively involved — circulating, supporting individual pupils, and observing their developing skills.

Less planning. More teaching. More creativity.

CPD Accredited: More than just a lesson.

The Arts & Minds Portal is CPD accredited, giving schools access to a professionally recognised learning resource alongside specialist Art & Design teaching.

Teachers can develop their own subject confidence while observing expert teaching alongside their pupils. Through the videos, teachers build:

• Subject-specific Art & Design vocabulary

• Clear understanding of techniques and processes

• Confidence in classroom management during practical work

• Working knowledge of artists and historical art approaches

The expertise is in the lesson — so teachers can learn while they teach.

Designed for real classrooms.

• Sustainable Materials: Makes purposeful use of accessible, eco-friendly resources—utilising everyday and recycled items like cereal boxes, old school shirts, and paper packaging.

• Age-Appropriate Assessment: Features process-focused approaches for younger pupils, transitioning to individual sketchbooks and glossaries for KS1 and KS2.

Make your school a gallery of creativity.

When pupils create artwork they are genuinely proud of, your classrooms and corridors become a visible celebration of their learning.

Imagine walking through your school and seeing children’s creativity displayed throughout the building — giving pupils a profound sense of achievement, ownership, and pride in what they have created.

Art becomes part of the living culture of your school.

Trusted by schools across Northern Ireland

Schools have been using the Arts & Minds Portal since 2022, with institutions returning year after year.

I have always praised your online portal to colleagues when asked what we use in school.” — Susan Deighan Principal of St. Colmcille’s Primary School, Claudy.

Developed by an experienced Art & Design educator

Sinéad McDermott

Creative Director, The Art & Design Factory | Creator of The Arts & Minds Portal

With 26 years’ experience in Art & Design education, Sinéad is a qualified Art & Design teacher and former Head of Art & Design, with extensive experience across primary, secondary, and higher education.

• Sinéad was asked to be a member of the TransformED Art & Design Subject Working Group, she contributed her professional experience to the development of the proposed new Art & Design curriculum direction for Northern Ireland.

• Commissioned to review KS3 Art & Design educational resources for the All-Ireland Heritage Skills Programme, providing professional feedback on learning outcomes and practical classroom delivery.

This depth of experience informs the design of every single lesson, resulting in specialist teaching that is structured, progressive, and practical for today’s primary classroom.

What’s included inside the portal?

• 🎬 30 Specialist Pre-Recorded Lessons: Ready to deliver in your classroom — simply press play.

• 🎓 CPD-Accredited Professional Learning: Develop teacher confidence and practical knowledge through expert-led video delivery.

• 📈 Clear Sequential Progression: Structured development of art knowledge, skills, and techniques from P1–P7.

• 🎨 Artists, Movements & Art Forms: Pupils encounter diverse artists, historic approaches, and creative processes.

• ♻️ Accessible & Sustainable Materials: Creative learning using practical, affordable, and recycled resources.

• 📚 Assessment & Evidence: Age-appropriate systems to capture and demonstrate developing skills.

Why schools choose The Arts & Minds Portal

• Save Planning Time: Stop spending hours searching for ideas and creating lessons from scratch.

• Build Teacher Confidence: Give non-specialist teachers instant access to specialist-led art instruction.

• Create Consistency: Provide a unified, structured programme across your entire primary school.

• Show Progression: Develop skills and understanding systematically from Primary 1 through Primary 7.

• Inspire Pupils: Give children meaningful opportunities to experiment, explore, and build their own artistic voice.

• Celebrate Creativity: Turn your school environment into a vibrant gallery of pupil achievements.

Curriculum Note

The Northern Ireland Curriculum 2028 is currently proposed and subject to the consultation and finalisation. These lessons are described as TransformED-aligned and have been designed to support schools as the curriculum develops.

Ready to bring Art & Design into your school?

Stop spending hours planning. Start pressing play.

Give your teachers access to 30+ expert-led, pre-recorded Art & Design lessons, featuring CPD-accredited professional learning and clear TransformED-aligned progression from Primary 1 to Primary 7.

 Subscribe Today & Unlock Full Access 

Want to start your annual subscription or arrange school invoicing?

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