Meet the teacher: Mrs Nicky Brookes

From Van Gogh workshops to painting pumpkins, our passionate Head of Art explains how her classes foster confidence and creativity …

Walk through the doors of Cricklade Manor Prep, and one of the first things to strike you will be the impressive art, adorning the walls in the entrance hall. Current works include a vast triptych of a tropical landscape, painted in startlingly vivid colours. It is a recently-completed Year Six project, inspired by French Post-Impressionist artist Henri Rousseau. A second installation features a delicately sculpted, richly-coloured coral reef, surrounded by the white skeletons of bleached coral. 

Walk through the doors of Cricklade Manor Prep, and one of the first things to strike you will be the impressive art, adorning the walls in the entrance hall. Current works include a vast triptych of a tropical landscape, painted in startlingly vivid colours. It is a recently-completed Year Six project, inspired by French Post-Impressionist artist Henri Rousseau. A second installation features a delicately sculpted, richly-coloured coral reef, surrounded by the white skeletons of bleached coral. 

A subject for everyone 

But at Cricklade Manor, art isn’t just about provoking thought. Mrs Brookes is also an avid believer in using her classes to nurture self-belief and creative freedom.   

“I strive for art not to be elitist,” she says. “Everyone can benefit from it, even if they’re not taking it beyond school. As a child I was an undiagnosed dyslexic, so academic work was hard for me, but art was something I could always turn to. It gave me confidence and today I see the benefits my classes have for all our pupils, whatever their ability. When they come into the art room they can offload, step away from texts and enjoy playful self-expression.

“For example, with Year Two I recently looked at how music can influence art. Kandinsky, the Russian abstract painter, was famously inspired by classical music, so we listened to some of his favourite composers and thought about how to represent the music visually as we painted a big mural. It helped the pupils realise that they don’t need to be frightened of art, because it doesn’t have to be about making something look realistic. It can be about self-expression and, in this case, how the music feels to you personally. There’s no right or wrong.”

The author Margaret Wolfe Hungerford famously said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and, through her classes, Mrs Brookes consistently encourages pupils to have faith in their own opinions. 

“At Cricklade, art is all about enthusiasm and creating an environment where children can be themselves, and say what they want to say. They know their opinion is valued,” she explains. “We nurture a lot of discussion around works of art, and even encourage the children to respectfully say what they think of one another’s work too. Adults can find it hard to take critique, but at a young age our pupils are already learning to listen to one another and respect that we all have different points of view.”

Inspiring adventures 

So, how does Mrs Brookes indulge her own passion for art in her spare time? It’s highly likely you’ll find her perched somewhere along the Cornish coastline, painting whatever the weather.  

“In Cornwall you’ll find me sketching and painting, come rain or shine,” she laughs. “Sometimes I take an easel and if it’s drizzling, I’ll just find a sheltered spot under a rock face. The Scilly Isles is one of our favourite places too and my daughter Isabella, who is in Year Two, often joins me with her sketch book.” 

The chances are, Mrs Brookes will also be musing over ideas for the school’s next art trip. Recent adventures involve a visit to Kew Gardens, where pupils were enthralled by a series of stunning glass sculptures, created by Seattle-based artist David Chihuly. They’ve also enjoyed a music and art-inspired stay in New York, as well as a four-night trip to Amsterdam. 

“There’s nothing better than seeing art in the flesh, it really gives children the wow factor,” she laughs. “In Amsterdam we did a workshop at the Van Gogh Museum and they were so mesmerised by the sight of his paintings, that they didn’t want to leave. I encourage the pupils to take their sketch books and cameras on every tour, and when we come back home, we organise an exhibition for their parents. It’s an accumulation of all their photography, sketches and a final canvas piece, and the outcome is always stunning.”  

Pushing boundaries 

So, when it comes to art, what marks Cricklade Manor Prep apart from other schools?

“Having a specialist teacher makes a huge difference, whatever the subject,” she explains. “Another beauty is that we’re prepared to be flexible when it comes to the curriculum, which means I can seize opportunities. Last Halloween my daughter and I went to a local farm to pick pumpkins. Everyone was in this muddy field, picking the perfectly formed vegetables, but I spied a gap in the hedge. When we squeezed through, we found all the quirkily-shaped, oddly-patterned pumpkins that had been abandoned. Nobody wanted them, so we filled a wheelbarrow and I brought them into school for a lesson. 

“I asked the children to use them as inspiration for a piece of art, using any medium they liked, and the results were just incredible. One of our pupils photographed them from above, then hauled a vast three by two metre canvas out of the cupboard and spent hours painting her photographs. It allowed the children to push the boundaries of their ability and create art that really makes us stand out from the crowd.”  

Creativity creates calm 

Today, as our awareness around mental health continues to expand, art is increasingly being hailed for both its sensory and mindful qualities. And Mrs Brookes believes that in our technology-driven world, her subject is more important than ever.  

“However advanced technology becomes, we’ll always need tactile experiences and creative thinkers,” she says. “We regularly get messy with plaster here and we do quite a bit of sculpture. I have the hands of an 80-year-old, because they’re always in something disgusting! Art is very mindful too. Before last December’s Carols by Candlelight service we made a huge entrance curtain of pompom snowballs, for the doorway into the church. As we were creating them, I asked the class how they felt they were benefitting from the activity and they told me it was very calming. For me, that’s perfect. It’s what it’s all about.”

You can meet Nicky and the rest of the teaching team at our next Open Day or contact Penny Kelly to arrange your visit today on 01793 750275.