Art Student supports a nation of parent teachers

University of Wolverhampton Art student, Niki Gandy, is using her expertise to support parents who have become educators overnight.

Prompted by the current COVID-19 pandemic, Niki, will be hosting regular art and photography tutorials which will guide parents through their teaching experience.

Since graduating from the University of Wolverhampton with a BAHons in Video and Film production, Niki’s career led her to supporting her students skill development as Head of Photography and teacher of KS3 Art and Design at the former Abbots Bromley School for Girls school in Staffordshire, until it closed in August last year.

Niki returned to the University of Wolverhampton in September, studying for her MA in Fine Art and supports the University Centre for Lifelong Learning in Stafford.

Centre Manager Trevor Humphreys said: “Niki joined our team in January to support our evening short courses and has rapidly become an active member, taking over the delivery of our culture café, developed for learners who are new to the County and for whom English is a second language.

“Making the transition to run the centre from our homes during the pandemic, we needed to make sure we continue to support our students of all ages, who use the centre for short courses, clubs and advice”.

 As a qualified teacher, Niki will be delivering a number of virtual tutorials centred on art and photography.  “A lot of my friends and colleagues are pulling their hair out, wondering how they can educate their youngsters at this time.

“I wanted to support them with quick ideas using items around the home, to make their education fun.

“I will be keeping them as simple as possible, aimed at KS1 but all of them can be developed for any age – even those who haven’t picked up a paintbrush or pencil for years”.

The new tutorials will be available on Facebook from Tuesday 31^st March at 11.00am and can be found by liking @WLV.UWiS.

Niki will regularly create new ideas and challenges for artists of all ages to create their own masterpieces. “I hope everyone will take the time to share their finished work so that we can create a virtual art gallery – who knows when all this is over we could even display everything for those who are not online to see”.

Tutorials are available here: