Spring 2020
Welcome to the first enews of 2020 from the W&SCEP; we hope you are refreshed and ready for a creative year ahead!
In this edition, we profile another exciting Open Fund project from Round 1, reflect on Cultural Learning in England, and bring you details of some cultural opportunities to get involved with this term.
Enjoy, the CEP team
Open Fund R1 project profile: 'Flourishing Spaces' at Minety Primary School
Minety Primary near Malmesbury, worked with partner schools Crudwell Primary and Lea & Garsdon Primary, and professional artists to develop creative, mindful & environmental spaces with 390+ students from across the schools. The artists ran sessions for teachers, and then worked with students to create three painted murals of Meadowlands, Bees, and Trees, showing that every child is an artist and that art can contribute to their wellbeing.
Sally Greaves, Head of Minety, reflected on the project;
“During this project, the artists from 'No Added Sugar' talked to the pupils about creativity, mindfulness and how art can be relaxing and an outlet for expressing and working through different ideas. Children learnt skills of painting from the artists and the murals have transformed areas of the school – a dull entrance hall in Crudwell has been transformed whilst in Minety a relaxing area has been created where ELSA sessions and anger management sessions for vulnerable children take place. As a result, the pupils use these areas to take time out and to reflect on their behaviour or learning during the day. A theme week also followed the project at Minety, with a focus on science and writing and where a wonderful quantity and quality of learning was produced.
In Lea and Garsdon teachers learnt the new skill of felting which they used with their classes. To be able to use resources not normally available in school and work with professional artists was a great opportunity for the children who produced some beautiful work. The felting workshops were structured in such a way as to support the value of community, with Year 6 children working with EYFS to support them whilst the Year 5s worked with the artists. This cascading approach was continued throughout the day, giving the children in years 4, 5 and 6 the opportunity to both learn a new skill and consolidate it by teaching the children in Years 1 and 2.
All of our schools have been completely committed to the project, with striking results.”
Reflecting on Cultural Learning in England
At the start of this new century, the Cultural Learning Alliance have taken a look back over the last 20 years of cultural learning policy in England, considering the initiatives, the funding, and the changing policy climate.
Read the full blog here: Cultural Learning in England: 20 years of policy
'It is 20 years since the publication of All Our Futures: the seminal report from the National Advisory Committee on Creative and Cultural Education, led by Sir Ken Robinson. It is also ten years since the publication of Get It, the Power of Cultural Learning: the report that recommended the setting up of a ‘time-limited Cultural Learning Alliance’. The Arts Council’s most recent strategy, Shaping the Next Ten Years, has just closed for consultation and the Durham Commission for Creativity and Education is soon to report.'
The CLA is publishing a timeline that lists initiatives, evaluations and significant policies from 1999 to the present day. They’d love to know your thoughts on what has made the biggest difference for children and young people, or to you and your organisation.
What policy has really shifted the dial? Respond by email here, or tweet @culturelearning using the hashtag #loveartsed
Conference Opportunity from Wiltshire Music Connect – the Music Education Hub for Wiltshire
Primary Music Conference 2020 - Sing into Spring!
When: Tuesday 31st March 2020, 9.30am-3pm
Where: Corn Exchange, Devizes, SN10 1HS
This is Wiltshire Music Connect's annual conference for primary school teachers, Head Teachers and music leads, and is lining up to be the one best yet, complete with prizes and surprises, so book your place now!
Sing into Spring!
This year’s theme is singing, and as well as practical workshops there will be latest news on music funding, resources, and opportunities for your school and an opportunity to network with other schools. Workshops and sessions are appropriate for non-music specialist classroom teachers, as well as music teachers – no previous experience necessary, and the programme includes breakout options for musically trained teachers.
Opportunities from Wiltshire Creative
Music Industry Day (KS4, KS5), 12th March 2020
After a successful pilot, and following a similar format to the Technical Workshop Day, students will spend the day at Salisbury Arts Centre with leading music industry professionals. Last year’s event featured Audio Visual and Foley technique workshops, Music Production and Technical Sound Mixing. This day would be suitable for any students with an interest in a career in music or sound technology. Cost: £12 per student. To book email Becky Mills.
Takeover Festival 2020
This year, Wiltshire Creative is holding its first ever Takeover Festival from Monday 6th April to Friday 18th April (Easter Holidays), at Salisbury Arts Centre and Salisbury Playhouse. This is an event which has been planned by Wiltshire Creative's Young Ambassadors, aged 14-21, who have been working closely with staff to organise an exciting programme of performances, films, open participatory activities, and live music for all ages.
As part of the Takeover Festival, they are looking for young people aged 14-21 to help support the event as volunteer ushers and workshop volunteer assistants at a variety of different activities which make up this exclusive programme. Please email Abbie Riddell (Take Part Assistant) to find out more.
Stay in touch with the latest cultural news in Wiltshire
Visit The Arts In Wiltshire and its arts and education posts to keep up to date with developments and opportunities.
Get involved in the Cultural Education Partnership
The Wiltshire & Swindon Cultural Education Partnership (W&SCEP) will be bringing more opportunities for schools to connect with and develop cultural education for their students in 2020. If your school would like to be involved in future initiatives please get in touch.
Please pass on this e-news to anyone you think would be interested, who can then can sign up to the W&SCEP mailing list below.
