The Superpower of Looking learning resources have been developed in collaboration with experts in inclusive practice, including SEND, ASD, ASN and ALN practitioners. As we develop both existing and new resources, we are committed to continually improving accessibility and inclusivity. Every learning resource includes a list of inclusive, sensory activities to ensure everyone is learning.
Our lesson resources have been designed to give teachers flexibility and choice in lesson delivery. We invite you to adapt our lesson resources around your students and let them lead your discovery of the artwork. The discussion-based Q&A method at the core of The Superpower of Looking gives space for students to input and share their understanding throughout each lesson from their own unique perspective.
We believe that The Superpower of Looking can be of particular benefit for teaching students with specific additional support needs. Our sensory-based engagement ideas include ways to make, listen, touch, move and communicate around a particular artwork.
Find out more about our inclusive approach in the following video.
Audio descriptions of artworks
In order to use The Superpower of Looking resource with students with blindness or visual impairment, VocalEyes have produced audio descriptions of artworks. You may wish to play these to students before beginning each lesson.
- Portrait: The Armada Portrait, Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear, My Parents, The Tailor
- Landscape: Surprised!, Rain, Steam, and Speed – The Great Western Railway, Arrangement in Turquoise and Cream
- History: The Adoration of the Kings, The Lady of Shalott, Whaam!
- Still life: Still Life, Flowers and Insects, An Old Woman Cooking Eggs, The Pink Tablecloth
- Everyday: An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump, The Ward Round, The Scullery Maid
- Identity: Portrait of Melissa Thompson, Lesmahagow Durbar, The Last of England, Auto-Portrait, The Ambassadors
These links provide more advice on audio descriptions:
Living Paintings, who produce audio and tactile books to rent as part of a free library service, have Rousseau's Surprised! included in their collections for children.
