Star Academies Case Study – English Classroom Wall Art

The Design Process

Our design process began with a detailed consultation with the Director of Education and English subject leaders. This collaborative approach ensured every wall graphic supported learning objectives while reflecting the trust’s identity and ethos.

We explored several design concepts, balancing creativity with functionality. Illustrative, educational wall art was chosen to highlight key literary themes, characters, and poetic techniques. Each classroom design was tailored to its purpose:

• GCSE literature walls featured characters, plot visualisations, and contextual timelines for Macbeth and An Inspector Calls.
• A careers-focused English classroom highlighted real-world applications of English, from journalism to creative writing.
• Star Readers classrooms celebrated pupil achievements and fostered a culture of reading through motivational quotes and imagery of books and authors.

Throughout the process, attention was given to accessibility, ensuring visuals were clear, engaging, and age-appropriate. Our school wall graphics specialists maintained close communication with staff, refining concepts to enhance curriculum relevance and maximise pupil engagement.

For inspiration and reference, we also considered existing corridor displays and school branding to ensure the English classroom designs complemented the wider learning environment. The result was a cohesive, visually stimulating set of educational wall art designs that supported both teaching and learning.

The Impact

The transformation of English classrooms has had a notable impact on the learning environment and school culture. Teachers report that the educational wall art has:

• Increased pupil engagement: Students are interacting more with the visual cues, referencing characters, plots, and literary techniques during lessons.
• Improved behaviour: A more stimulating and purposeful classroom environment has fostered attentiveness and respect for the learning space.
• Boosted school pride: The bespoke designs reflect the school’s identity and values, enhancing the overall sense of community and belonging.
• Enhanced Ofsted readiness: Curriculum-led walls demonstrate proactive steps to create an inspiring and effective learning environment.
• Streamlined wayfinding and curriculum focus: Clear, thematic graphics help pupils navigate key concepts visually, supporting differentiated learning.
• Saved valuable teacher time: Because the curriculum content is professionally designed and permanently installed, staff no longer need to spend hours creating, updating and maintaining classroom displays themselves. This has reduced workload pressures and allowed teachers to focus more on planning high-quality lessons and supporting pupils.
• Elevated community perception: Visitors, including parents and governors, have noted the professional finish and imaginative design, reinforcing Star Academies’ reputation for excellence.

The English classrooms are now more than just spaces for teaching; they are immersive environments where pupils are encouraged to explore literature, develop their literacy skills, and aspire to become lifelong readers and writers.