Oak Primary and Secondary Subject Lead
Emily Gopaul (she/her) is a London-born art educator, artist, and consultant of Indo-Guyanese heritage. She founded The Primary Art Class, supporting schools, educators, and cultural organisations to deliver meaningful, inclusive, and high-quality art education.
With nearly two decades of experience teaching and leading art across primary and secondary phases, Emily is recognised for her practical, creative, and socially conscious approach. Her consultancy work includes collaborations with Teach First, Findel, Tate, BBC Bitesize, BBC Teach, The Crafts Council, Freelands Foundation, NSEAD, and The Thackray Museum.
As Art and Design Lead at Oak National Academy, Emily partnered with the National Society for Education in Art and Design (NSEAD) and a team of creators to develop this free, editable KS1–KS4 art and design curriculum. She continues to offer outreach linked to this project in her role at Oak.A passionate advocate for anti-racist education, she works closely with NSEAD on its initiatives and is a member of UBAE, a self-organised network for Black educators and art professionals.
A lifelong learner, Emily ensures her work remains responsive to the evolving educational landscape and the needs of diverse school communities. Her book, Teaching Primary Art and Design, is available in selected bookstores.
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