Still life in Year 4

This term, Year 4 have been studying the skill of still life drawing. Throughout the unit, pupils developed their observation, drawing and creative skills while exploring a range of artistic techniques and approaches.

The children began the unit by studying the work of a range of artists who created still life paintings using both traditional and contemporary approaches. This allowed pupils to explore how still life can be interpreted in different styles and techniques.

They then developed their drawing skills by focusing on the basic shapes of each object. Pupils simplified forms and began by drawing each object using three lines to establish proportion and composition. Building on this, they explored how to add detail through the use of lighter and darker lines, varying line thickness and shape, and experimenting with shading both within and beyond the outline of the objects.

Following this skills-based practice, pupils completed a full still life drawing in the classroom, bringing together all of the techniques they had learned to create a more detailed and considered final sketch.

To conclude the unit, pupils created a still life collage. They carefully observed the texture and detail of each object and produced painted papers using layered paint and a range of techniques to achieve different effects. Pupils then returned to the basic shapes of the objects, cut each element from the most appropriate painted paper, and assembled the pieces to create their final collage artwork.

"I love how the bright colours pop against everything else." Roza, Elm

"I enjoyed layering the paints to give the fruit texture." - AJ. Willow

" I enjoyed assembling all the different parts to make the final piece. " Ara, Maple 

National Portrait Gallery - Year 4

 

On Friday 30th January, the Year 4 children will be visiting the National Portrait Gallery for a day of creative discovery and learning.

During the trip, pupils will experience a rich collection of portraits created by a wide range of artists across different time periods. They will explore how artists use different media—such as painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, and mixed materials—to tell stories about people and the times they lived in. This will help children understand how art has changed over history and how it reflects culture, identity, and important events.

The visit links closely to our art and history curriculum, encouraging children to look closely, ask questions, and share their ideas. It also supports key skills such as observation, critical thinking, and vocabulary development, while inspiring creativity and curiosity.

Please complete the permission form found here by the 20th January 2026. There is no payment required for this trip.

Broadford Celebrates Black History Month 2025

What a joyous month it has been celebrating the impact of Black pioneers, creatives and world changers. This year's theme was 'Standing firm in power and pride' which was a powerful tribute to the resilience, strength and unwavering commitment to progress that defines the Black community across the globe.

The children experienced a guest speaker, Dr Grace Bello, who shared her journey to becoming a doctor and stirring up ambition in our children. She spoke about barriers and hammers to achieving your goals and had a session with some children who aspired to work in the field of science and medicine.

 "I could listen to Dr. Grace speak all day!" - Emmalee, Larch

During the month, there was a research and art project that allowed each year group to explore a Black Briton who had made significant impact in their field. These pieces were collated into a growing whole school History book filled with fantastic pieces of work.

This year, we also spent time discussing the power of voice and wrote poetry to convey this message.

Our third, seemingly annual, music video is out now!

Lines tailored to the hope for the future of each Broadford child were learnt and rapped to an instrumental called ' I Can' followed by dancing with Soul Train inspiration to 'Aint no stopping us now' by McFadden and Whitehead.

The children and class videographers (the teachers) have outdone themselves. Enjoy!

Year 4 Diving into Pneumatics in DT!

 

This term's DT unit has quite literally risen to the occasion. 

The process of pneumatics has been insightful and exciting. We began by looking into where we encounter pneumatics in our everyday activities but maybe did not notice. The use of pneumatics in tyres, drills and buses were discussed and then we explored toys and how the motion in some toys are due to a force being applied to compressed air.

"Look! Blue is a pneumatic toy. I felt the part that has the air in his tail. When you squeeze it, it makes his wings move!" - Athena, Elm

There were questions about how could air be so forceful? And how can you trap air? 

'Isn't air all around us?'  

We went on to discover how for ourselves by making our own pneumatic circuits, using two syringes and a tube. 

We used these circuits in partnership with a designed background and pop-up picture.

And thus, our engaging pop-up toys came to be. 

"I can't wait to put my prototype in action now! I like how my butterfly flies." - Isatou, Willow 

Christmas Cards for the Community

As part of the children's experiences at Broadford, we have had a busy afternoon in Year 3, designing and creating Christmas cards for the community. This year, we have chosen to send the Christmas cards to the lovely residents of a local care home, who will be receiving them early next week.

The children were very excited to make their cards and send them to the care home, they have used their resourcefulness skills to ensure that they have included colourful, cheerful designs and they worked exceptionally hard on their handwriting and spellings. They also spent time creating beautiful designs on the envelopes to add an extra sparkle for the recipients!

'I wrote a message to Alice because we have the same name!' - Alice

'I hope that it makes the people smile at Christmas.' - Mavis

I drew lots of colourful decorations on my card.' - Mohib

Amazing Animation

 

The children have been super busy in their Art lessons this half term, designing, creating and making their pictures come to life through the art of animation.

They began by drawing their robot designs into their sketch books, using their drawing skills to refine the original designs.

Once their designs were finalised, the children had to draw them onto cardboard ready to cut each part out. In order to ensure that their robots could move, the children used split pins to attach each of the different parts. 

To complete the project, the children will decorate their robots in the final lesson. 

'It was was layering but cutting the cardboard was tricky.' - Tommy

'I used split pins to make my robot move.' - Alice

‘ My robot can move its legs and arms. Watch it dance’ Miya-Rose

Amazing Art in Year 4

 In Art, the children have been learning about the Art of Display.

Over the last few weeks we have been developing techniques in using materials with creativity, experimentation and an increasing awareness of different kinds of art, craft and design.

This week, the children manipulated pipe cleaners to create figures that could stand on a plinth.

"I used the pictures I drew to create my figure." - Sofia, Elm

“I had so much fun making my person.” Oscar, Maple 

"I struggled at first, but now I love my goal scorer." Bruno, Willow

Broadford Celebrates Black History Month

 

October brought us many joys this year and one of them was the celebrations of Black History Month.

Black History Month is a momentous occasion to recognise and celebrate the invaluable contributions of Black people to British society.

Watch Broadford's Whole School Celebration Dance

Song: Jerusalema by Master KG

“I enjoyed dancing to Jerusalem because it was really fun and easy to learn. I love the fact we danced for Black History Month.’ Karimah, Lime

Black History Month's theme this year was, Saluting our Sisters.

Each year group chose a black woman of influence , to research and acknowledge from categories such as Women Who Lead, Innovators and Entrepreneurs, Women Breaking Barriers, Women Who Move Mountains, Sheroes Among Us and Pioneering Voices.

Below are some examples of the Black and Mixed Heritage women that were celebrated throughout the school.

Sheroes Among Us - Halle Bailey

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Women Who Lead : Floella Benjamin

“She was a good person, she helped lots of people." - Darcey

“She really believed in herself.” - Victoria

“Floella was the first TV presenter with beads in hair! ”- Ronnie 

Innovators and Entrepreneurs : Karen Blackett

"It was interesting to learn about Karen Blackett and I enjoyed the art that we did !" - Qhaleed

Women Who Move Mountains : Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock

“We learnt about the scientist Maggie Aderin-Pocock. I was impressed with how long she studied for and how much she knew about space.” Olivia 

Acknowledging some of these aspirational Black women and coming together in unity to dance was truly enjoyable!

Bonfire Art

 

What a fun week of Art we have had in Year 3!

The children took great delight in creating their very own bonfires using paints, paper and their own hand prints. They decided on appropriate colours for their bonfires before choosing whether to print with their whole hands, the palm of their hand or just using their fingers. Some of the children got super creative and even mixed colours together to make a more realistic looking bonfire.

This linked to our Guided Reading this week, where the children were learning all about Guy Fawkes and his attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament.

'I used my whole hand print to make the flames.' - Lily

'Guy Fawkes tried to kill the king.' - Ava

'I think orange and red paints were the best colours to use.' - Hope

Black History Month - Art Edition 2021

 Here at Broadford we have been celebrating Black History month through Art!

Each year group spent the afternoon exploring a piece of Black Art or work produced by a Black Artist.

Discussions took place about the contribution of the Black community to the arts and the stories behind the art pieces.

Year 1 , produced work inspired by Alma Thomas, who created paintings that focused on colour, rhythm and pattern that expressed her affinity with the natural world.

"I loved using all the bright colours!" - Chloe

Year 2 recreated a striking piece of art by Lois Mailou Jones. 

Year 3 discussed the diversity and emphasis on hair within the Black Community and how it used for as a medium for creativity and identity.

"There are so many different styles!" - Eden

In Year 4, they delved into the world of African Abstract art patterns!

Jean Michael Basquiat, a unique neo-impressionist artist, was explored across Year 5. They recreated a piece called 'Taschen'.

Creativity is overflowing across the whole school and the celebrations continue!

Year 3 Art Aprons

 Year 3 are getting creative this term in our unit on 'Painting'. We have already kicked off the year with an exploration of primary and tertiary colours.

We are calling for any (clean) old shirts or overalls that can be used to serve as an apron for the children to prevent any accidents on the uniforms.

If you have any suitable items, please send them in with your child by Wednesday 15th September 2021.

This would be much appreciated.

Many thanks,

The Year 3 Team