This article has been brought to you by the new Schools Relationship Manager for Slough Cultural Education Partnership (CEP), Jo Lonsdale for the attention of all schools.
As the new Schools Relationship Manager for the Slough Cultural Education Partnership (CEP), it is vital to gauge and better understand the landscape of creative arts provision and engagement within Slough schools.
You may be aware that in 2013 Arts Council England (ACE) highlighted the diminishing commitment to cultural enrichment in the curriculum.
It was recognised that not only does every child have the right to access and experience creative arts, but the benefits of engaging in cultural activity impact on mental and physical well-being, provide new experiences of the world, and enhance skills such as creative thinking, socialisation and communication.
In response to this lack of provision, ACE supported Bridge organisations to launch Cultural Education Partnerships (CEPs) across the country to tackle the cultural education needs specific to a locality. From that initiative Artswork, the Bridge organisation for the South-East, has supported the development of the Slough CEP.
Local Cultural Education Partnerships support children and young people to fulfil their creative potential and access high-quality cultural experiences where they live, where they go to school, and where they spend their free time.
The aim of the CEP is to bring Slough partners together from across sectors, respond to local needs and interests, to drive a more joined-up cultural education offer, share resources, and improve the visibility of cultural education in their local area, so that teachers and local young people benefit from:
- Access to cultural options in order to support the creative curriculum and build cultural capital and creative thinking
- Advice and support to access arts and enrichment offers, creative careers
- Awareness of and engagement in cultural activities with local creative practitioners
- Sharing good practice and experiences through advocacy and networking, providing a youth voice
- Professional development, training and skill sharing forums
- Building partnerships between Slough schools and arts/heritage/cultural partners
- Working towards the Artsmark status, delivering Arts Award
In order to provide the right type of support and the right information, the CEP needs to find out what is happening in our local schools.
We would be most grateful if you could complete this short online survey by Wednesday 24 November. It doesn’t matter where your school is on the arts engagement scale or where you are at in your professional career, all contributions will be helpful so that the CEP can identify and respond to your needs.
If you would like to discuss creative arts and engagement within your school, please do not hesitate to contact jo@resource-productions.co.uk (Wednesdays and Thursdays, term-time only.)