St George’s Day Artwork

Overview

This 30-minute session is designed for a small group of Year 6 students to explore St George’s Day through a creative art and design project. The lesson directly supports the National Curriculum for England in Art and Design by enabling pupils to develop their techniques, widen their creativity, and understand cultural significance in artwork.

Curriculum Links

National Curriculum references (Art and Design):

KS2 – Year 6
Pupils should be taught to:
- Create sketchbooks to record their observations and use them to review and revisit ideas.
- Improve their mastery of art and design techniques, including drawing, painting and sculpture with a range of materials.
- Learn about great artists, architects and designers in history.

Relevant Programmes of Study objectives:

Pupils can create imaginative work from a theme.
Use a variety of materials and processes to design and make artworks.
Develop an awareness of the work of different artists to influence their own work.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, pupils will:

Understand the significance of St George’s Day and its symbols (Dragon, Red Cross flag).
Use a variety of painting techniques to create a themed piece of art inspired by St George’s Day.
Demonstrate control and skill in painting with acrylics or watercolours on paper.
Reflect on their own artwork and share creative ideas with peers.

Resources

White cartridge paper (approx. A3)
Paints: watercolour or acrylic (red, white, green, black, and yellow)
Paintbrushes of different sizes
Pencil and eraser for sketching
Palette or paper plate for mixing paints
Clean water pots and cloths
Image references of St George, the Dragon, and the St George’s Cross flag
Aprons or protective clothing

Lesson Breakdown

Time	Activity	Details	NC Links/Skills Developed
0 – 5 mins	Introduction: St George’s Day theme	Brief discussion: Who was St George? What symbols are associated with St George’s Day? Show images of the dragon, St George, and the flag. Emphasise cultural importance and encourage observations.	Understanding cultural and historical context (Art and Design - cultural awareness)
5 – 10 mins	Planning and Sketching	Pupils use pencil to sketch their ideas onto paper inspired by symbols of St George’s Day; e.g., dragon, shield, red cross flag. Encourage creativity and personal interpretation.	Using sketchbooks to record observations; planning artwork (Art and Design techniques)
10 – 25 mins	Painting the artwork	Students use paint to develop their sketches into finished art pieces. Encourage layering techniques, colour mixing, and brush control. Encourage experimentation with textures and brushwork.	Mastery of painting techniques; experimenting with materials (Art and Design techniques)
25 – 30 mins	Reflection and Peer Feedback	Pupils place their artworks on a ‘gallery wall.’ Each pupil shares one thing they like about their own work and one thing they’d like to improve. Teacher highlights use of techniques and creativity.	Critical evaluation of own and others’ work; communication skills

Differentiation

For students who find detailed drawing difficult, offer stencil templates of the St George’s Cross or simplified dragon outlines to paint over.
For more able pupils, encourage mixing secondary colours for backgrounds or incorporating texture by layering paint or adding collage elements later, if time allows.

Assessment

Teacher assessment will be formative and based on:

Ability to communicate ideas through sketches and final paintings.
Demonstration of control and technique in using paint.
Understanding of the cultural symbols associated with St George’s Day.
Participation in discussion and peer feedback demonstrating knowledge and respect for others’ work.

Extension Ideas (Optional)

Make a collaborative mural for the classroom combining each pupil’s artwork.
Incorporate a simple sculpture element by using modelling clay to create a small dragon or shield.
Research other patron saints’ symbols and compare them to St George’s iconography in a follow-up lesson.

This lesson plan ensures meaningful cross-curricular links with history and PSHE through discussion, while adhering strictly to the National Curriculum for Art and Design. It provides a memorable, culturally rich creative opportunity, designed to inspire young learners’ artistic confidence.

Teaching Instructions