Between 30th March and 13th April 2023, NN hosted the ‘Take One Picture’ Project Exhibition, a showcase of artworks created by primary school students as part of the National Gallery’s ‘Take One Picture’ project. The participating schools were part of the Northamptonshire Primary Academy Trust (NPAT).

‘Take One Picture’ is the National Gallery’s programme for primary schools across the UK. Students and teachers are invited to put one painting at the heart of their learning, unleash their creativity and celebrate the potential of art across the whole curriculum.

In 2019 and 2021, students in Year 4 across the Trust investigated two paintings to help develop their art skills and also their writing and vocabulary. 

Research conducted by the University of Northampton with Trust teachers and students revealed improved outcomes by the end of the programme in learning and the teaching of art, writing and C21st skills including children’s self-belief, motivation, empathy and critical thinking. 

This exhibition was presented in partnership with the University of Northampton, the National Gallery, and the Northamptonshire Primary Academy Trust (NPAT).

About NPAT

Northampton Primary Academy Trust Partnership (NPAT) comprises eleven primary schools in the town of Northampton which has a high proportion of children living in low-income families (Hazenberg et al., 2018). The NG and NPAT schools agreed that the NG would run its TOP programme for NPAT Year 4 children, Year 4 teachers and art subject leaders in the academic year 2020-21. In 2020-21, the Old Master painting that was the focus of the National Gallery TOP programme was ‘The Finding of Moses’ (Figure 1), painted by Orazio Gentileschi in the early 1630s.

Opening event, Wednesday 29th March at Vulcan Works. Images courtesy of Tara Florence