Star Academies Trust Case Study – Humanities Classroom Wall Art

Bespoke humanities classroom wall art featuring History and RE themes at a Star Academies secondary school.

The finished humanities classroom wall art project featured in the Star Academies Trust case study.

Achieving curriculum consistency across a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT)

Achieving curriculum consistency across a Multi-Academy Trust is a significant challenge, but it offers an unparalleled opportunity to raise standards for every pupil. Working closely with the Director of Education at Star Academies, Design for Education has been commissioned to roll out a series of “Curriculum WOW Walls” across their secondary schools nationwide. This Star Academies Trust Case Study focuses on the transformation of the humanities classroom wall art, where History, Geography, and Religious Education (RE) have been brought to life through immersive learning environment design. By standardising high-quality visual aids, the Trust has created an environment where every student, regardless of their specific school location, benefits from an inspiring and academically rigorous atmosphere.

The Brief: Trust-Wide Excellence and Consistency

Star Academies is renowned for its high aspirations and commitment to social mobility. The Director of Education sought a partner who could translate the Trust’s robust curriculum into a physical format that would inspire students daily.

The primary objectives for this project were:

Curriculum Standardisation: Ensuring a consistent presentation of core Humanities concepts across multiple school sites.
Subject Immersion: Using educational wall art to turn standard classrooms into “subject hubs” that spark curiosity.
Knowledge Retention: Creating “WOW Walls” that act as permanent knowledge organisers, highlighting key dates, geographical processes, and theological concepts.
Aspirational Atmosphere: Elevating the aesthetic of the classrooms to reflect the Trust’s professional and high-achieving ethos.

Professional learning environment design in a secondary school humanities classroom.

High-impact geography WOW wall featuring bespoke geography wall art and curriculum diagrams.

The Design Process: A Strategic Collaboration

Designing humanities classroom wall art for a Trust requires a deep understanding of pedagogical intent. Our process with Star Academies was built on a foundation of high-level collaboration.

Concept Development

We worked alongside subject specialists to identify the “non-negotiable” knowledge for each discipline. For Geography, this meant developing bespoke geography wall art that visualises complex systems like the water cycle or plate tectonics. For History, we focused on chronological timelines that provide context to local and global events. For RE, the designs focused on respect, diversity, and the core tenets of world faiths.

Bespoke School Branding

While the curriculum content remained consistent, we subtly integrated the specific school branding of each individual academy. This ensured that while the educational quality was standardised across the Trust, each school maintained its unique identity and connection to its local community.

The Installation: Precision at Scale

Installing school wall graphics across a wide geographical area requires meticulous planning. Our installation teams, who are all fully DBS-checked, coordinated with site managers at various Star Academies locations to ensure a smooth rollout.

Durability and Finish

Classroom walls take a lot of wear and tear. We utilised high-performance, scuff-resistant vinyl with a matte laminate finish. This ensures that the humanities classroom wall art remains vibrant and free from glare, even under bright classroom lights. The longevity of our materials means the Trust’s investment is protected for years to come, providing a sustainable alternative to traditional, paper-based displays.

Seamless Integration

Our installers are experts at working around classroom fixtures, such as interactive whiteboards, radiators, and shelving. The result is a seamless, “built-in” appearance that elevates the entire room’s aesthetic without hindering the practical use of the space.

A detailed historical timeline integrated into the humanities classroom wall art for secondary students.

Consistent curriculum presentation using school wall graphics across a multi-academy trust.

Why Schools Choose Design for Education

Multi-academy trusts and individual schools partner with us because we are school wall graphics specialists. We understand that secondary school branding solutions must be more than just decorative; they must be educationally sound and built to last. Our ability to manage large-scale projects while maintaining a personal, consultative approach is why leaders at trusts like Star Academies trust us with their vision.

Looking to Transform Your School Environment?

Whether you are a headteacher looking to revitalise a single corridor or a Trust leader seeking a nationwide curriculum rollout, Design for Education is here to help. Our bespoke humanities classroom wall art and corridor displays are designed to turn blank walls into worlds of discovery.

Investing in your physical environment is a direct investment in your students’ aspirations. Let us help you create a learning space that reflects the excellence of your teaching.

Book a design consultation today to explore how we can bring your curriculum to life through expert school wall art and secondary school graphics.

Contact us to discuss your project