Sculpture 

Wire Soldiers – Remembering Through Art

In the Autumn Term, Year 6 study the emotive wire ‘ghost soldiers’ created to commemorate those who served during World War II. They explore how these sculptures use form and shape to represent presence, memory, and sacrifice in a powerful, visual way. To develop their ideas, they use digital art tools to collect research, experiment with compositions, and plan their designs. Drawing on what they learn, they create their own wire sculptures, carefully bending and shaping the material to form expressive soldier figures.

 Each sculpture tells a story — a reminder of the courage and resilience of those who lived through wartime. Through this project, the children combine art, history, and digital creativity to honour the past and reflect on its meaning today. 

Painting 

Seashells and Seascapes – Mixed Media Masterpieces

In the Spring Term, Year 6 dive into the world of seashells and seascapes, exploring how artists capture the beauty and movement of the coast. The inspiration begins with reading The Giant’s Necklace by Michael Morpurgo, a powerful story set by the sea that encourages the children to think about the mood, atmosphere, and drama of the coastline.

 The children then study the textures, patterns, and shapes of real shells, using close observation to inspire their sketches and colour studies. Building on these ideas, they create their own mixed media seascape paintings, combining paint, collage, and texture to represent the ever-changing shoreline. Using layered materials and expressive brushstrokes, they experiment with how different media can work together to convey depth, movement, and emotion.

 The finished artworks are vibrant, imaginative, and full of coastal character — a celebration of the sea’s power and beauty through the eyes of our talented Year 6 artists.

Drawing 

Drawing with Detail – Inspired by Jane Lee McCracken

In the Summer Term, Year 6 study the incredible work of Jane Lee McCracken, an artist known for her intricate biro drawings that capture animals and nature in stunning detail. The children explore how she uses a simple ballpoint pen to create depth, texture, and emotion, layer by layer. Inspired by her technique, the children experiment with biro drawing themselves, developing patience, precision, and control as they build up tones and fine details. They study photographs of wildlife to help understand form and proportion, before creating their own detailed animal portraits in McCracken’s distinctive style.

 Through this project, Year 6 discover how much expression and beauty can come from just one pen — and how art can help us appreciate and protect the natural world.