
What are the top tips for teaching art in secondary school?
Art is a multi-faceted subject that helps to build crucial skills such as problem-solving and perceptive thinking, and emotional intelligence. Having the necessary skills to effectively teach art to children plays an essential role in helping students to learn and develop, especially in secondary school where the subject becomes more challenging.
Education sectors across the globe have recognised the importance of art, and most schools regard the subject as a fundamental topic. According to the UK’s Cultural and Learning Alliance, secondary schools are working hard to increase and stabilise the number of art teachers after years of decline. This is great news for passionate educators who are seeking art teacher jobs.
If you are eager to make a positive contribution to this movement and secure yourself a position where you can make a significant improvement in learner development, then you need to equip yourself with the right tools. Here are 4 art teacher tips that are useful and easy to apply:
1. Give your students the freedom to express their own form/s of art
Art comes in many forms and if you want to engage your students, it’s important that you give them the opportunity to explore and expand their horizons so that they can find a form that appeals to them. To do this, you can introduce art from different cultures, or you can discuss unusual materials and art techniques (visual presentations are key here).
When we allow students the freedom to explore, we can use their interest to develop a deeper appreciation of more sophisticated and relevant syllabus-related sources.
2. Include researching techniques in your art teacher lesson plan
In secondary school, learners are taught that art is more than just a pretty picture. Each masterpiece has a history and a story, and to truly appreciate it, you need to understand its whole value.
Teach your students how to research their topics, introduce them to verified resources online, or provide them with access to a library of books on art. This way, they can be encouraged to put more thought into the art process and draw inspiration from their findings.
3. Ensure your students know how to succeed
In an English lesson, students are provided with an outline to help them write an essay. Students in Mathematics are given formulas to solve equations. These tools help students understand what they need to do to achieve success. Art should be approached in a similar way.
For example, in secondary school, you can show your students how to succeed by connecting techniques to popular artforms, or you can demonstrate a variety of brush strokes and pencil techniques. The tip here is, before you send your students out to explore the world of art, provide them with a formula that gives them the confidence to perform.
4. Conduct positive and enlightening assessments
Finally, adopt an assessment strategy that develops skills and confidence. At this age, you do not need to apply harsh criticism to transfer a skill. Instead, provide your students with rewards and praise in areas where they have excelled. This will encourage them to keep learning and participating while you bring areas of improvement to their attention.
Let Teaching Personnel help you find your next art teacher job
At Teaching Personnel, we’re looking for teachers who are passionate about art and education and are ready to equip themselves with knowledge so that they can help their students thrive.
Our team understands that the role of teachers is more than tracking progress, it’s supporting students through education so that they learn to be independent and capable individuals with a passion for learning. If you are looking for a position where you can put your tools to practice and offer this type of support as an art teacher, then we invite you to apply for one of our rewarding secondary art teacher jobs today.
Sign up to posts
Related jobs
Salary
£23 - 28 per hour
Location free text
Blackpool
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Blackpool
Description
Engaging and Supportive Maths Tutors Required in the Blackpool Area.Here at TP Tutors (Part of Teaching Personnel) we believe in every child’s right to a quality education. As such, we are looking for
Reference
RVFY1MAT30/04
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
North TuitionAuthor
North TuitionSalary
£21k - 22k per year
Location free text
East Grinstead
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£20,000 - £29,999
Sector
Visual Impaired
Location
East Grinstead
Description
Driven and Resilient Individuals Wanted!Teaching Personnel are working with an excellent SEMH School located in rural East Grinstead that caters for students who have mental health needs, and some ha
Reference
PMSTA
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Brighton SENAuthor
Brighton SENSalary
£89.38 - 95.00 per day
Location free text
Crowborough
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
SEND Support
Location
East Sussex
Description
Make a Real Difference Every Day – Join Us as a SEN Teaching Assistant! Crowborough | Full-Time | Term Time OnlyAre you ready to step into a role where every single day counts? Where your support, k
Reference
SENTACES
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Brighton SENAuthor
Brighton SENSalary
£26,270 per year
Location free text
Horsham
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£20,000 - £29,999
Sector
Special Needs
Location
Horsham
Description
Driven and Resilient Individuals Wanted! Teaching Personnel are working with an excellent all boys School that cater for students with mental health and behavioural struggles, due to childhood trauma,
Reference
lsaMHH
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Brighton SENAuthor
Brighton SENSalary
£99.96 - 105.00 per day
Location free text
Hailsham
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
SEMH
Location
Hailsham
Description
SEMH Mentor We are seeking experienced and energetic SEMH mentors to join the team at our partner school in Hailsham. Our partner school, that's part of an Ofsted 'outstanding' multi-acad
Reference
SMES
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Brighton SENAuthor
Brighton SENSalary
£180 - 250 per day
Location free text
Tower Hamlets
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Teacher
Location
Tower Hamlets
Description
Launch Your Teaching Career in East London - September 2025 Roles Now Available!Calling All ECTs & Newly Qualified Teachers! Locations: Tower Hamlets & Surrounding East London Boroughs Schools: Primar
Reference
ECT East Sept
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
London SENAuthor
London SENSalary
£96.25 - 110.00 per day
Location free text
Horsham
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£20,000 - £29,999
Sector
Special Needs
Location
Horsham
Description
Energetic and Enthusiastic Individuals Needed! We are working with an excellent SEN School located in Horsham who require full time learning support assistants to support pupils 1:1 and in small group
Reference
lsaNBWS
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Brighton SENAuthor
Brighton SENSalary
£180 - 250 per day
Location free text
Enfield
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Teacher
Location
Enfield
Description
Exciting KS2 Teaching Opportunity in North London – September 2025 Start!Position: Full-Time KS2 Teacher (TLR Available for Suitable Candidates) Location: North London Start Date: September 2025 Appli
Reference
KS2 N21
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
London SENAuthor
London SENSalary
£180 - 250 per day
Location free text
Enfield
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Teacher
Location
Enfield
Description
Exciting Opportunity for KS1 Teachers & ECTs in North London!Position: Full-Time KS1 Teacher (TLR Available for Suitable Candidates) Location: North London Start Date: September 2025 Application Deadl
Reference
KS1 n21
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
London SENAuthor
London SENSalary
£150 - 175 per day
Location free text
Birmingham
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£750 - £1,249 per week
Sector
Secondary
Location
Birmingham
Description
Do you have a passion and desire to support children within a school setting?Do you have ample experience working with 11-16 year olds within a UK Secondary School? Job Role: Head of YearLocation: Bir
Reference
Head of Year 10
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Birmingham SecondaryAuthor
Birmingham SecondaryRelated posts

Teaser
Special Educational NeedsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD03YY
Summary
In 2024, the National Audit Office (NAO) highlighted the crisis in the SEND system, noting limited progress in making mainstream schools more inclusive. Without further investment and changes, t
by
Zuzana Vrtalova

Teaser
Tips and AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD03YY
Summary
The True Worth of Professional Exam Invigilation When schools and colleges across England and Wales prepare for examination periods, the pressure to maintain JCQ compliance while ensuring fair ass
by
Zuzana Vrtalova

Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD03YY
Summary
With the Easter break and end of term coming up, it’s time to get your payroll sorted! Our Payroll team has outlined the key dates you need to ensure you receive your pay on time. Check out the ta
by
Zuzana Vrtalova

Teaser
Special Educational NeedsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD03YY
Summary
The landscape of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) is transforming. The number of pupils in the UK with special educational needs (SEN) has increased over the last five years. Toda
by
Adam Davies

Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD02YY
Summary
As Spring approaches, it's a critical date for many teachers in the UK who may be contemplating their professional future ahead of the February 28th resignation deadline. While teaching remains on
by
Adam Davies

Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD02YY
Summary
Teaching assistants support teachers and students in the classroom. The role is invaluable and continues to grow in importance as school environments become larger and more diverse. In fact, teach
by
West Yorkshire Primary

Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD01YY
Summary
When you worked as a teacher, you may have looked forward to retirement, as it meant having more time for leisurely activities or spending more time with loved ones. However, the novelty of retire

by
Scott Owen
.jpg)
Teaser
Tips and AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD01YY
Summary
In the last three years, the likelihood of young people having mental health problems has increased by 50%. According to a report by The Health Foundation, one in six children aged six to 16 in Englan

by
Scott Owen

Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD12YY
Summary
Recent reports state that special schools are seeing a decrease in enrollment. Many local authorities aim to integrate more children with Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND) into mainst
by
Adam Davies
.jpg)
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD12YY
Summary
The festive season and the end of term are quickly approaching! To help you prepare, our Payroll team has shared all the essential dates you need to ensure you get paid before Christmas. Check out t
by
Zuzana Vrtalova
Register with us
for a choice of classroom roles
Register today
Recent job