Primary Art Teachers Network

PATN is a network group for primary school art teachers and subject leaders. 

The group was founded in September 2018 by Rosalinde Sawyer, with the aim of bringing together individuals involved in the planning and delivery of art in primary schools, this includes both art subject leaders and art specialist teachers. Since forming we are now a network of at least 50 teachers​ ​across mainly Haringey but also other London boroughs. 

At PATN we range from the very experienced – with decades of art teaching knowledge – to those with less experience who may have suddenly found themselves more involved in teaching art at school. PATN offers peer-to-peer support and the opportunity to inspire and share ideas, events and best practice through connecting with others.  PATN is committed to promoting the role and importance of quality art education for children in schools.

The PATN group meet every half term across different schools in Haringey. PATN teachers are invited to host meetings and often run short practical workshops or present elements of good practice happening at their school. PATN also invite members to join their very active WhatsApp group where information and news on a range of art topics from art exhibitions to successful art projects are shared by members.

Over the years PATN have partnered with Haringey Creates, Alexandra Palace and Central St Martins. They are also developing a file exchange system where PATN members will be able to exchange and share a range of inspiring art resources from within the PATN community, including information on practical skills, lesson plans etc.

If you are interested in finding out more about PATN or would like to join please contact Rosalinde Sawyer at rsawyer@rhodes.haringey.sch.uk

Meet the team

Rosie Sawyer

Rosie is an Art specialist teacher and subject leader for art. as well as the founding leader of PATN. MA Art Ed.

Rosie has over 18 years of teaching art across primary and secondary schools and in galleries and museums. 

Ask her about:

  • Creative and inclusive curriculum planning for Art
  • Developing partnerships with museums and arts organisations
  • Delivering effective art insets
  • Art Advocacy (making a case for art in your school)
  • Using art to support wellbeing in schools

Isabel Richert

Isabel has been teaching art at Coleridge Primary School since 2006. Upon graduating from Chelsea School of Art in 1988, Isabel rented a London studio with the sole intention of becoming a painter. During the 90s Isabel expanded her art practice to include mural design, hand-painted furniture, specialist paint finishes for interiors, magazine publishing, rudimentary desktop publishing and graphic design alongside becoming a company archivist. Later, Isabel was invited back to the London Institute as a visiting lecturer to offer students an insight into the fundamental concepts of mural design; this was her first taste of teaching.

On joining Coleridge Primary in 2001, Isabel was instrumental in setting up after-school activities which included an art class for pupil-premium children and their parents. The classes were popular and Isabel was eventually invited by the Headteacher to combine her fine art education and practical skills into a teaching role. Isabel stood in front of her first art class in 2006 and since then she has worked hard to translate her knowledge of art, materials and techniques into a creative and enriching learning experience. Isabel aims to give Coleridge pupils the means to understand, appreciate and make art.

Ask her about

  • Parental involvement/sharing of cultural knowledge
  • Networked Learning Community exhibitions (NLC)
  • Producing large-scale collaborative artwork
  • Strategies to stimulate pupil’s imagination

Laura Fox

Laura has 12 years of experience teaching art and design across the primary school curriculum from Reception – Year 6. 

Ask her about:

  • Using an inspired Reggio Emilia Approach in a mainstream state school context. It is a project-based collaborative approach to learning where both teachers and children are equal creative protagonists in the process.