Q: What is your role?
A: I am the SEN Art Lead at Hamilton School, where I design and deliver an inclusive art curriculum tailored to students with social, emotional, and mental health needs. My role involves creating engaging projects that build confidence, develop creative skills, and provide students with positive ways to express themselves. I also focus on adapting lessons to meet a wide range of needs while fostering a safe, supportive classroom environment where every student can succeed.

Q: You were identified for Team Talks by your colleagues. Why is this work important to you?
A: My work centres on using art as a vehicle for engagement, self-expression, and personal growth. Many of our students have faced challenges in mainstream education, so providing opportunities for success is incredibly important. Through carefully designed projects, students are able to discover new strengths, build resilience, and experience a sense of achievement that can positively influence other areas of their school life.

“Providing opportunities for success helps students discover new strengths and build confidence.”

Q: What impact does this work have?
A: This work adds real value to the student experience by giving young people the chance to find strengths they may not have realised they had. Seeing students grow in confidence, take pride in their work, and re-engage with learning is hugely rewarding. Personally, it motivates me to continue creating opportunities that challenge and inspire students while supporting their emotional development.

Q: What has shaped your approach? What have you learned along the way?
A: Moving from mainstream state and private education into this setting has been a steep but rewarding learning curve. I have learned the importance of flexibility and the need to constantly adapt to the many variables that come with working in this environment. Rolling with students’ interests and using them as a foundation for teaching content and skills has been key to success.

“Once students feel safe and supported, they are far more willing to take creative risks and engage in their learning.”

Q: Which MET value connects most strongly to your work and why?
A: Be Inclusive. Every student deserves the opportunity to feel successful and valued, regardless of their starting point. By adapting the curriculum and creating an environment where all students can participate and achieve, inclusion sits at the heart of everything I do.

Q: What advice would you give to colleagues interested in similar work?
A: Do it. Be prepared to think differently and embrace the challenge of creating opportunities that engage, build confidence and appropriately challenge students. The rewards of seeing students succeed make it more than worthwhile.

Q: Any final reflections?
A: Every class brings a new opportunity to develop resources and projects because what works for one group may not work for another. Strong relationships are key. Once students feel safe and supported, they are far more willing to engage in their learning.

We appreciate Lucy taking the time to share her work with us in this Team Talk.

#TeamMET #HamiltonSchool #ArtEducation #InclusiveEducation #StudentEngagement