Arts Award & Beyond... Developing Creative Opportunities for Young People across Waltham Forest
Report of current provision with Project Action Plan
By Laura Elliott, Project Consultant and Coordinator
November 2013 – March 2014
CONTENTS
Acknowledgements i
Explanation of key organisations and terms ii
Executive summary iv
Project Action Plan vii
1. Introduction 1 1.1 About the report 1 1.2 Research methodology 1 1.3 Report aims and objectives 2
2. Key findings and recommendations 3 2.1 Identify existing arts provision for young people aged 14-25 3 2.2 Identify main structures of communication for arts providers 7 2.3 Provide an overview of the organisation of work experience, apprenticeships and volunteering 9 2.4 Identify the main benefits of Arts Award to education providers 10 2.5 Identify the main incentives and barriers to participation 12 2.6 Identify and encourage new partner organisations able to engage young people not currently participating in the arts 15 2.7 Summary of the full recommendations with action points 16
3. Project Action Plan up to March 2014 17 3.1 Project milestones 18
4 Conclusion 19
Sources 20
Appendices 21 Appendix i: Table of Arts Award and Artsmark activity in schools 21 Appendix ii: List of Waltham Forest education, youth and arts organisations working with young people aged 16-25 22
Appendix iii: Waltham Forest schools networks 26 a) Table of Waltham Forest Area Partnerships 25 b) List of Waltham Forest Schools Networks 26 c) Case Studies of information networks used by two WFAEN member schools 28 Appendix iv: Survey and consultation results 29
Appendix v: Sample of questionnaire 30
Appendix vi: Consultation exercise and notes 33 a) Barriers and benefits 33 b) Next steps: Communication 35 c) Next steps: Work experience 36
Cover illustration: Students from Chingford Foundation School displaying relief prints completed during a workshop at the William Morris Gallery attended as part of their Bronze Arts Award. (photo: Anna Alcock)
Arts Award & Beyond... Project Report with Action Plan
1. Introduction
Arts Award and Beyond is an action research project that aims to explore how partnership working can support and sustain increased participation in the arts in Waltham Forest by young people aged 14-25. The primary focus in this first phase of research is on Arts Award as a framework for joining arts education providers from different sectors together to improve and increase access and participation for all young people in the borough. However, work experience, apprenticeships and pathways to employment in the creative industries are also explored.
Capacity building and joined up working are at the heart of the project and are considered essential to building on networks and partnerships with arts providers, schools and organisations that can develop, connect up and increase youth arts participation in the borough.
The project is funded by the Arts Council England through A New Direction (AND), the cultural bridge organisation for London.
1.1 About the report
This report has been commissioned as part of the project’s first phase to consult and map current youth arts provision linked to Arts Award and identify models of good practice in the borough.
A main outcome included in the report is the Project Action Plan for achievable deliverables within the timeframe of the project up to 31 March 2014, leading to the development of a ‘Way Forward’ plan for longer-term sustainability. The initial focus of the report is on Arts Award as a framework for joined up working and delivery but it also considers work experience and progression routes into the creative industries.
1.2 Research methodology
In the initial mapping phase of the research (Sep-Oct 2013), information about arts services in Waltham Forest was taken from the Waltham Forest Borough Council’s website and listings in addition to a broad web search of various organisations. Arts Coordinator Yolanda Guns of Chingford Academies Trust [CAT] provided a table of Arts Award and Artsmark activity in state-maintained schools in Waltham Forest (see appendix i), while Arts Coordinator Chantelle Michaux of Waltham Forest Arts in Education network [WFAEN] provided lists of Waltham Forest education, youth and arts organisations working with
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Arts Award & Beyond... Project Report with Action Plan young people aged 16-25 (see appendix ii) and Arts Networks of Secondary Schools (see appendix iii).
This information was then used to target 27 state-maintained secondary schools and 30 post-16 providers with a questionnaire (see appendix iv) producing a sample of 18 responses which was then evaluated (see appendix v). Further detailed consultations were carried out with staff and young people, including those who attended the first network event at the William Morris Gallery on 18 October 2013, which was collated by WFAEN (see appendix vi).
After producing the first draft, further consultations took place with Trinity College, AND, Chingford Academies Trust, Waltham Forest Arts in Education Network (WFAEN), Apex Arts and AND’s Creative Employment Programme, which has further links with Job Centre Plus. Information about levels of participation by schools and organisations in Waltham Forest was provided by Trinity College and AND. The draft report was circulated for comments from all stakeholders and these have been incorporated in this final published report.
This report provides an overview of arts provision, networks and work experience in the creative industries in Waltham Forest. In doing so, it also provides insights into the different levels of knowledge and perceptions of the benefits of Arts Award, incentives and barriers to participation, as well as enabling structures for its planning and delivery.
1.3 Research aims and objectives The aims of this research are: To understand current levels (Sep-Oct 2013) of cultural participation by mapping activity in Arts Award in secondary schools and the post-16 sector.
To identify main barriers to participation and routes of progression for young people, schools and post-16 education organisations.
To assess current and future opportunities to increase capacity and create a more joined up organisation of the different providers involved.
Provide an overall analysis of Arts Award and routes to work, identifying shared issues and challenges, and produce a Project Action Plan to increase participation by March 2014 and ‘Way forward’ plan for sustainable development beyond.
More specifically, the research objectives are to:
Identify existing arts provision linked to Arts Award in Waltham Forest for young people aged 14-25.
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Identify main structures of communication for arts providers working with young people.
Provide an overview of the organisation of work experience, apprenticeships, and volunteering.
Identify the main benefits of Arts Award to education providers.
Identify incentives and barriers to participation.
Identify new partner organisations able to engage young people not currently participating in the arts.
2. Key findings and recommendations
This section presents analysis of the key findings with full recommendations under each research objective. There are two types of recommendations:
a) those actionable within the time frame and resources of the project
b) broader advisory recommendations for the consideration of stakeholders for the future, which will be included in the ‘Way Forward’ sustainability plan due to be published in May 2014.
2.1 Identify existing arts provision linked to Arts Award in Waltham Forest for young people aged 14-25
This report chiefly focuses on activity in the Arts represented by the two schemes: Arts Award and Artsmark. Data from Trinity College on Arts Award moderations in London is not listed by borough but by postcode, where there are overlaps between different authorities. Furthermore, there are potential ‘big gaps’ around young people resident in Waltham Forest but achieving their Arts Awards through centres in other boroughs.
Data for October 2012 - March 2013 and April - September 2013 shows there were 25 Arts Award Centres in Waltham Forest, which is above the average for a London borough of 21. A total of 381 Arts Awards were awarded to primary and secondary schools in Waltham Forest, well above the average of 139 (www.artsaward.org.uk/stats).
The table over the page lists those Arts Award centres targeted at 14 - 25s currently registered in Waltham Forest. The six green at the top were active in delivering Arts Award in 2012/13.
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Table 1. Arts Award Centres registered in Waltham Forest targeted at 14-25s Centre name Sector Type of Centre Town Postcode Region Brookfield House Woodford School Formal Education Secondary school Green IG8 9PY London Chingford Foundation School Formal Education Secondary school Chingford E4 7LT London
Connaught school Formal Education Secondary school Leytonstone E11 4AB London Community org or The Mill Youth/Informal Ed project London E17 7HA London Virgo Fidelis Cineclub Formal Education Summer school London E10 6NX London Walthamstow Academy Formal Education Secondary school Walthamstow E17 5DP London
DV8 TRAINING Formal Education Post-16 education Walthamstow E17 8AH London George Mitchell Secondary school - School Formal Education other Leyton E10 5DN London Arts or media Groundswell Arts Arts and Cultural organisation Walthamstow E17 6NU London Heathcote School and Science Secondary school - College Formal Education other Chingford E4 6ES London Higham’s Park Secondary school - School Formal Education other London E4 9PJ London Joseph Clarke Waltham School Formal Education Special school Forest E4 9PP London Leyton Orient Community org or Education Centre Youth/Informal Ed project Leyton E10 5JY London Leytonstone Business and Secondary school - Enterprise School Formal Education other London E11 1JD London Rush Croft Secondary Foundation School Formal Education academy Chingford E4 8SG London Suspicious Arts or media Behaviour Arts and Cultural organisation London E17 6SD London Whitefield Schools & Centre Formal Education Special school Walthamstow E17 4AZ London Willowfield Secondary school - Specialist College Formal Education other Walthamstow E17 6HL London Arts or media X7eaven Arts and Cultural organisation London E10 7EQ London Youth Inspired Arts or media Arts Arts and Cultural organisation Leytonstone E11 1LA London Source: AND Oct 2013
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132 Arts Awards were delivered in 2012-13 by the six centres, with 124 awarded at Bronze level. The remaining eight (six Silver, two Gold) were delivered by Chingford Foundation School. This shows well above the average for a London borough, being 91 Bronze, nine Silver and one Gold. There is also a number of ‘informal’ sector centres registered in Waltham Forest that are not currently active in delivering Arts Award, but which could possibly be reactivated given suitable incentives and conditions.
There are 27 state-maintained secondary schools in Waltham Forest, including special schools for children with additional needs, and a further two independent schools, bringing the total of secondary schools in the borough to 29. Data from AND shows 22 secondary schools participating in Arts Award using one of more of the registered Centres. Full details of Arts activity in Waltham forest schools is included in appendix i.
Although not causally linked, participation in Arts Award can significantly contribute towards Artsmark status, a quality assurance of excellence in the arts. The average number of Artsmark per borough in London is 8.5; the highest is 22 and the lowest is two. Table 2 below shows eight schools awarded Artsmark status in 2012 and 2013 which, although slightly below the average for London, compares favourably with boroughs of similar social economic profiles such as Haringey and Lewisham.
Table 2: Waltham Forest Artsmark Schools compared with Haringey and Lewisham 2012/13 Borough Artsmark 2013 Artsmark 2012 Total current Arts Artsmark (sch) Award Centres Waltham 4 4 8 9 Forest 3 Artsmark Gold (all 4 Artsmark) 3 Gold, 5 1 Artsmark Artsmark 2 pending 3 pending
Haringey 2 2 4 0
1 Artsmark Gold 1 (both Artsmark) 1 Artsmark Gold Artsmark 3 Artsmark
Lewisham 1 6 7 3
0 Artsmark Gold 1 Artsmark Gold 1 Artsmark Gold 1 Artsmark 5 Artsmark 6 Artsmark 2 pending Information provided by A New Direction August 2013
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The conclusion from these findings is that progression from Arts Award to Artsmark in Waltham Forest’s secondary schools is not yet reaching its full potential. It is also worth nothing that Artsmark was only opened to Further Education providers in 2012 which may also account for low levels of awareness of Arts Award in the Post-16 sector. These findings further support the value of the project’s aim in raising awareness of Arts Award in the Post- 16 sector and increasing participation in the sector as a route to gaining Artsmark status.
As an example of a non-school arts organisation, the William Morris Gallery already supports Arts Award where young people can use a gallery visit as an example of arts participation as an ‘audience member’. Through their school, young people can also participate in an artist-led workshop to add to their guided hour’s requirement, make a study of an exhibiting artist for their ‘arts hero’ or apply for a limited number of work experience places. Although the William Morris Gallery is not an Arts Award Centre and cannot provide Adviser time, it is keen to offer opportunities to young people by working in partnership with other local learning providers to facilitate Arts Award.
Full recommendations with action points
Full recommendations correspond with those given in the executive summary but are expanded upon in the main report here.
1. Advisory: That the borough aims at a highly achievable 100% participation of 27 secondary schools in Arts Award. This would ensure all 14-18s can access and participate in the programme, increasing capacity and raising the profile of schools and the borough in the arts. i. Action: Develop a range of Arts Award advocacy and training events to target organisations new to Arts Award and support those already involved in the project. ii. Action: The project team target the awareness/training programme at the remaining five non-participating schools.
2. Advisory: That more schools in the borough are encouraged to apply for Artsmark as a recognition of high standard of arts practice. i. Action: Highlight the potential for more secondary schools to progress through Arts Award to Artsmark and bolster their OFSTED ratings through training and advocacy events.
3. Advisory: That the borough recognises that the alternative and post-16 sector is the main growth point for Arts Award. i. Action: The project team advocate this by targeting 30 of arts/youth post-16 organisations identified as potential Arts Award deliverers for organisational training/awareness opportunities by WFAEN (see appendix iii).
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ii. Action: At least one post-16 organisation is supported to introduce Arts Award through a buddy scheme with an experienced provider such as Chingford Foundation School.
4. Advisory: That the William Morris Gallery be registered as an Arts Award Supporter i. Action: Develop Arts Award offer for practitioners and young people. ii. Action: WMG front of house staff are briefed about what this entails in terms of service delivery. iii. Action: WMG measure over the following year the impact of the initiative through recording the number of enquiries and bookings made by young people, schools and organisations in relation to the scheme.
5. Advisory: That the achievement of the young people in the borough be promoted and publicised in clear information about Arts Award. i. Action: The project team produce a guide to Arts Award in Waltham Forest to be hosted by WFAEN reflecting this information.
2.2 Identify main structures of communication for arts providers
Waltham Forest Community and Cultural Services provides a central point of communication for the arts and develops arts strategy borough-wide. In October 2013 they launched an Arts Grants and Practitioners Forum for creative practitioners in the borough to exchange ideas and develop local working partnerships. It also enables them to find out about borough priorities and plans for the arts and to explore ways in which the creative community can work collaboratively to help contribute to their development and delivery. There are two main voluntary arts networks:
Apex Arts is an independent voluntary organisation which exists to promote the arts and support groups and individual practitioners in the borough. Apex Arts owns and manages www.artsinwalthamforest.com, the listings site for arts events, and www.walthamforestartsnetwork.com, the site for all those working in, or with an interest in, the arts in Waltham Forest. Apex Arts currently has 987 people receiving weekly updates from the listings site and a similar following on Twitter (975) and Facebook (1075). There are also 136 individuals and groups signed up to WFAN.
The Waltham Forest Arts in Education Network is a registered charity set up to foster and promote the arts and to advance art education for children and young people, mainly through the provision of artist-led workshops and activities offered to schools. Membership is made up of artists, teachers, head teachers and those interested in arts education. WFAEN currently has 76 members and since 2012 has undertaken projects
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with 28 schools in the borough. It sends out regular information about arts learning opportunities, events and funding to all schools across the borough either to named contacts or generic emails to non-participating schools. Its website is www.wfaen.org.uk.
Schools communicate through a number of smaller formal and informal networks; see appendix iv. There is currently no borough-wide communication format but the LBWF School Improvement Unit will shortly launch a new online communication network called The Hub. It is planned that this will be the main point of communication between the Council and educational settings as well as between the settings themselves (see http://thehub.walthamforest.gov.uk). A previous model of joined up arts communication in the borough was the Education, Creativity and Culture Board, which was originally set up by Children’s Services and chaired by the Head of Chingford Academies Trust. This termly meeting provided a channel of communication between senior education leaders and senior Arts and Cultural team members in the borough, but ceased in 2012.
The Chingford Academies Trust (CAT), an example of one of the schools networks, has set up an Arts Award Supporter Centre at Chingford Foundation School, an Artsmark Gold school, in order to promote partnership working with Rushcroft Foundation School, Burnside Secondary Pupil Referral Unit (PRU), Forest Pathways and a number of primary schools. The centre also offers Arts Award training and advice to schools, institutions, parents and carers across the borough and organises cluster meetings and events for Artsmark Gold schools. CAT employs Yolanda Guns, a specialist trainer in the arts to co- ordinate the Trusts’ outreach arts activities.
Full recommendations with action points:
1. Advisory: Review joined up communication, standards and service delivery in view of feedback from practitioners consulted at the first network meeting in Oct 2013. This indicated the need for an Arts Award network to share expertise and training, and to improve connectivity between services. i. Action: The project team establish an Arts Award & Beyond network to provide shared expertise and training (e.g. termly meetings hosted at WMG, organised by WFAEN and CAT) and seek ways of sustaining it beyond the project life. ii. Action: Advocate to other services ways of improving connectivity around arts and learning between Arts Team, School Improvement Team, schools networks etc by: a) Exploring the viability of a senior borough wide art and learning advisory group. b) Further developing the capacity of WFAEN as provider of arts education information in the borough and ensure that it is signposted as such to ensure increased use by arts organisations and all schools.
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2. Advisory: Consult with young people and youth organisations, e.g. Waltham Forest Young Advisers, in developing communications that respond to different young people’s needs. i. Action: Involve LBWF Young Advisers in the production of the Arts Award mini- guide. ii. Action: CAT to involve young people in the design of the mini-guide.
3. Advisory: Explore the potential of social media and websites in developing more joined up communications, together with marketing and fundraising, e.g. around The Hub’s engagement with practitioners and Waltham Forest’s education community.
2.3 Provide an overview of the organisation of work experience, apprenticeships, and volunteering
Work experience with schools and post-16 organisations offering arts related work placements, is organised by young people, schools, organisations and employers in different ways. It is no longer compulsory for schools to organise work experience, which means it is increasingly organised by young people by approaching arts organisations individually. So far, the Business Enterprise Partnership (BEP) was the only provider in the borough to offer a systematic framework but is now charging for services and operating outside of the borough.
Waltham Forest Adult Learning Services (ALS) works with 16-25s to get them into paid employment and has previously worked on a small number of projects with the WMG around English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and crafts. In 2012 Employment Engagement Co-ordinator Paul Coster invited Gallery staff to attend ALS’s job fair to support its search for volunteers. OFSTED recently gave a positive review of ALS’s apprenticeship scheme. ALS also sits within the Waltham Forest Employment Unit.
The Olympic legacy of volunteering temporarily increased participation among young people and provided some with temporary jobs. The Voluntary Sector Forum exists to provide a regular opportunity for the exchange of ideas, views, policies and experiences of Waltham Forest Council and voluntary organisations in the borough in relation to the Council's policies, procedures, practices and strategies as they concern and affect the voluntary sector and the Council. For voluntary agency listings see www.walthamforest.gov.uk/Pages/Services/Vol-sector-wf.aspx.
Apprenticeships offer an excellent way to learn whilst earning an income. They combine work with study at college for a nationally recognised qualification. Young people gain the practical skills and knowledge necessary to build a career. Entry requirements are
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three GCSEs at Grade D or above, an interview and assessment. (Source: National Apprenticeship Service, www.apprenticeships.org.uk)
Employment agencies offering apprenticeships are Reed Employment, Job Centre Plus and the Creative Employment Programme, which receives grants from Arts Council England. Waltham Forest College runs apprenticeships where young people can earn as they learn, leading to NVQ Levels 2 and 3. Industries identified as relevant to the arts are art and design, fashion, customer service, construction (e.g. stone masonry and reconstruction), hair and nail art, and catering. Participants may progress into paid employment with their employer, within the sector or similar, or higher education with an HND or Degree.
Full recommendations with action points:
1. As part of its Bronze award, Arts Award currently offers a framework which schools, colleges, volunteer and vocational organisations and employers could be encouraged to use to organise work experience placements. i. Action: Include information in AA training programme and guide.
2. Artists and smaller arts organisations, e.g. galleries and theatres, need to be supported to provide work experience and apprenticeships for young people. i. Action: Consult with Adult Learning Services about getting under 25s into work. ii. Action: Explore how local organisations such as ALS, the Job Centre and others such as AND can provide support and brokerage for artists and smaller organisations to provide placements and advice.
3. There is a need to reconnect and work with young people who volunteered and gained temporary employment from the Olympics e.g. young people who took part as advisers to the Mayor from Chingford Foundation School. i. Advisory: Consult with the Voluntary Sector Forum for ideas for working more closely with arts employers and the Employment Unit
2.4 Identify the main benefits of Arts Award to education providers
Arts Award and Trinity College have identified the main benefits of Arts Award1. The main benefits of Arts Award for young people living and/or studying in Waltham Forest have been evidenced in the report Youth Arts Transforms Lives – FACT!, Artswork National
1 Arts Award (2013). Impact Study: Summary of findings from year one (October 2012- September 2013). Trinity College London [online]. Available: http://www.artsaward.org.uk/news/viewarticle.php?id=343
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Campaign 2011, which stressed the primacy of developing young people’s creativity, leadership and communication skills, which led to improvements in attainment, personal development and behaviour of students.
Orleans House Gallery is the hub for Arts Award in the borough of Richmond upon Thames and has identified benefits of Arts Award in terms of its flexibility - the way it fits the needs of individual students - and how students are able to take ownership of their work. The Gallery has specialised in alternative education for young people who are underachieving and/or are not included in mainstream education.
Key words used by organisations describing the benefits of Arts Award are:
Creativity Leadership Communication Behaviour Attainment Personal-development Ownership Flexibility Individual
The main benefits of Arts Award to education providers are identified by this report below:
Arts Award contributes to Artsmark status of schools and post-16 organisations, and the cultural aspect of OFSTED’s requirement that a school promotes student’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development (www.artsmark.org.uk).
Contributes to Artsmark status: ‘Artsmark identifies a school or other setting offering a well-planned, quality arts education and that supports the cultural development of all students.’ (www.artsmark.org.uk/impact)
Levels 4-5 of 5, Explore to Gold Arts Awards, are accredited and are equivalent to other qualifications, e.g. Gold is equivalent to 30 UCAS points.
Arts Award fits the individual’s interests, level and ability, and is equally beneficial to young people with additional needs and gifted and talented. The qualification can be achieved in any of the arts wherever they are happening, including schools, youth clubs, arts centres, colleges, theatres and community groups.
Ownership – students are the creators and/or performers of their own work.
Students produce a portfolio or arts log that shows their creativity and provides a recognised national qualification or award to put on their CV.
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Table 3: Qualification equivalence, comparable by standard level of difficulty
Explore Award is pre GCSE level; Bronze and Silver are of the same standard as GCSE’s but are smaller in size. Gold is the same standard as A-levels but is the size of half an AS level. Level Standard Points e.g. Credits e.g. Credits e.g. Credits, other UCAS GCE Graded exams Leadership example Tariff qualification Explore Entry N/A Drama grades N/A N/A N/A Level 3, pre GCE Bronze D-G N/A Music/ Drama Level 1 Level 1 Award N/A GCSE Award Grade 1 Sports or in Grade Dance Employability Leadership Skills Silver A*-C Short Music/Drama Level 2 BTEC Level 2 N/A GCSE GCSE Award Grade Sports or Award in 3D Grade 2/3 Community Design Sports Gold A Level Half an AS Music/Drama Level 3 Level 3 AS Level C Level Award Grade Higher Certificate in Grade (40) 4/5 Sports Dance – Higher Leader Grade 8 Sports Music Exam Award Leader Grade 7/8 Award (30) Source: Arts Award Qualification Comparisonhttp://www.artsaward.org.uk/site/?id=2056
Full recommendations with action points
1. Advisory: To raise greater awareness of the benefits of Arts Award among post-16 organisations
2. Advisory: To inform organisations about how Arts Award fits into other initiatives and policies such as OFSTED, Artsmark, UCAS and funding. i. Action: Both of the above recommendations are to be addressed by targeting the identified list of post-16 organisations; through the project’s free and subsidised training programme; and through the production of an online guide to Arts Award in Waltham Forest.
2.5 Identify the main incentives and barriers to participation
The project’s survey and consultations with schools and other arts learning providers concerning the incentives and barriers of Arts Award cover levels of awareness of Arts
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Award, and the key enabling features that support providers’, practitioners’ and young people’s cultural engagement. Participants representing Waltham Forest’s schools and arts organisations attending the network event at the William Morris Gallery on 18 October 2013 contributed to the consultation exercises that produced the ideas and perspectives listed below.
Table 4: Incentives (* indicates the number of participants who agree with point)
Schools Non schools Both Distracts from involvements in Children’s experiences/ gangs and anti-social testimonials ***********
behaviour * Child-based / flexible **** Creates a community spirit Amazing offer an organisation ****** can provide for young people Effective outreach tool Social & communication skills * Can use existing activities Embed as continuous activity Can use existing networks programmes * in organisation (William Morris/ Chingford Academies Trust/ WFAEN) Compliments employability Part of curriculum/ programme of an organisation evidence linked to this Embed in organisation’s programming Brings young people to
Gallery / cultural site* Is realistic and achievable Students’ self-esteem – Learning on young people’s Good for whole spectrum of being part of something own terms – PRU abilities including SEN; Gifted positive other than school, and Talented and excluded being creative * A qualification that helps NEETs to get jobs Flexible – not restricted by Accredits what the young curriculum people already do
Promotes organisation/ build Put it on CV – helps get into uni or work * partnerships for organisation Respect and celebrate
‘a knowledge shop’ Knowledge sharing Finding out about careers/ Freelancers/ voluntary sector knowing who to contact/ information sharing *
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Information compiled by Chantelle Michaux WFAEN Oct 2013
Most issues discussed were found to be relevant to both school and non-school organisations and the main incentive for engaging with Arts Award was cited in terms of the benefits to young people, e.g. confidence building, self esteem, career and personal developmental needs. Table 5: Barriers (* indicates number of people who agree with each point) Schools Non Schools Both Cost
Need extra money for artists Funding and accessing * Funding Arts Award ****** Persuade head teachers that
Arts Award is a worthwhile cost * Lack of time/ Curriculum/ Organisational and staff How much work? capacity to develop projects Focus Portfolios/expectations Too much admin Lack of understanding in Hard work to find out about relation to OFSTED and networks curriculum enhancement Too many networks – don’t Not knowing what Arts need more *** Don’t know enough about Award is what it entails Pressure to achieve Lack of confidence to academic results * deliver/ guide young people through wide range of Overwhelming arts/creative practice *
No longer required by What happens after project Artsmark ends Mar 2014 funding wise? Information compiled by Chantelle Michaux WFAEN Oct 2013
Concerns about funding, staff time and a lack of understanding of Arts Award were expressed. Some, e.g. ‘no more networks’, seem to contradict other findings, e.g. ‘more knowledge and skills sharing’. However, ideas about ‘an overarching forum’ and ‘platform to respect and celebrate work on the ground’, in tandem with more effective communication and promotion, e.g. social media, indicate a genuine need either to make existing structures more effective or to create a new initiative. Given a higher degree of disillusion with new initiatives and networks, the former seems a more viable option.
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Full recommendations with action points:
1. Advisory: There is a need for a guide to Arts Award in Waltham Forest in relation to wider arts learning and the full range of educational and vocational initiatives, progression routes (e.g. work experience) and funding. i. Action: The project team to approach Waltham Forest’s Young Advisers to create a ‘mini-guide’ to Arts Award in the borough.
2.6 Identify and encourage new partner organisations able to engage young people not currently participating in the arts
Arts Award has identified a number of key target groups of young people that the project has matched with the relevant services in Waltham Forest shown in the table below:
Table 6: Target groups and organisations that represent them Target group LBWF Organisation Looked after children and young WF Children's Rights Service; Barnardo's, people/ care leavers Church Hill E17 Young carers/ parents Youth Support Service, Outset Centre Young people in the youth justice WF Youth Offending Service, Youth system Offending Teams and Burnside PRU Homeless young people Forest YMCA; Crisis; Shelter; housing associations - L&Q, CBHA, Ascham Homes Young people in hospital or with long WF PCT/ hospices term health problems Gypsy, Roma, Traveller young people Waltham Forest Traveller Education Service. Lammas school dance group Young people not in education, Waltham Forest CLaSS employment or training (NEET) Young people with disabilities LDX; special schools; WF PCT; WF Parent Forum; The Limes Community Centre E17 Young people with special educational Early Intervention Team; Thorpe Coombe needs (SEN) Young people who live in an area of virtually every agency, school, community economic deprivation group in WF is dealing with this Source: WFAEN September 2013
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A list of post-16 organisations in the borough was identified (see appendix iii) and contacted by WFAEN in relation to the project. These were invited to the first network meeting in October 2013 and to the training and advisory sessions.
Full recommendations with action points:
1. Advisory: Build awareness of the benefits of Arts Award. i. Action: Invite the organisations referred to above to the networking events, awareness training and providing them with information about the project.
2. Advisory: Identify and work with a lead organisation as a new Arts Award partner. i. Action: The project team to propose this initiative for new partners to work with existing Arts Awards Centres, e.g. Chingford Foundation School. ii. Action: Explore the potential of future partnerships longer term.
2.7 Summary of the full recommendations with action points:
1. Encourage a 100% uptake of Arts Award by secondary schools. Achieving this aim will provide access to all 14-18s to participate in and achieve accreditation in the arts. i. Identify and survey non-participating school’s reasons for non-participation. ii. Invite non-participating schools to network meetings. iii. Target non-participating schools and organisations with the range of subsidised training programme at WMG.
2. Explore the post-16 sector as the main growth point for the project. i. Compile a list of post-16 providers for inclusion in the first network meeting and Arts Award awareness training programme. ii. Undertake discussion with post-16 providers on how a more co-ordinated approach to work experience can be achieved.
3. Trial a buddy scheme to deliver a new model for post-16 providers to participate in Arts Award. I. Propose a school already successfully running Arts Award to join up with a community/post-16 provider to deliver an Arts Award, share practice, information and resources.
4. Develop the William Morris Gallery as an Arts Award supporter. i. This entails training staff to provide information and access to the Gallery’s resources for young people, secondary schools, alternative education and post-16 providers. ii. The Gallery will host regular Arts Award ‘surgeries’. iii. The impact of this can be measured through recording numbers of enquiries by visitors using the Gallery for their Arts Award and requesting feedback from educators using the Gallery for their Arts Award programmes.
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5. Improve communication and joined up working through an AA&B project network. i. Run two network meetings during the project and offer a programme of Arts Award awareness training for LBWF organisations. ii. Explore sustainability for WFAEN and CAT to take on the role of network organisers with WMG as venue host, after project funding ceases.
iii. Advocate to other services ways of improving connectivity around arts and learning within the borough.
6. Explore the potential of Arts Award to facilitate more joined up organisation of work experience, apprenticeships and volunteering for young people and arts organisations.
i. Meet with key organisations - Young Advisers, Job Centre Plus and Waltham Forest College - and identify actions for the end of project sustainability plan.
7. Explore the potential of the newly launched Arts Practitioners Forum and New Arts Grants initiative (launched Oct 2013) to develop strategy for joined up working and development, including policy, funding and special projects.2 i. Apply for funding to continue support for the Arts Award and Beyond project.
8. Produce a borough resource for schools, providers and young people, a mini guide to Arts Award in Waltham Forest, as a main outcome of the project in March 2014. i. Consult with main project partners and Waltham Forest Young Advisers, and secure their participation in the writing and production of the mini guide.
3. Project Action Plan up to March 2014
Building on the research findings, recommendations and the examples of best practice identified, a Project Action Plan has been produced for inclusion in this report outlining the main project activities and outcomes under each project milestone up to March 2014. An evaluation and ‘Way Forward’ plan on future sustainability will be produced at the end of the project.
The Project Action Plan serves a dual purpose: first, as a primary planning tool for the project team and main project partners to refer to and chart the project’s progress; and second, as a guide for schools, organisations and young people who may be interested in following or reviewing the project and any further initiatives or developments it leads to.
2 The new Arts Practitioners Forum was launched in October 2013 along with a New Arts Grants initiative. The Arts Award and Beyond project aims to engage with these organisations and involve them in its plan for longer term sustainability beyond March 2014.
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3.1 Project milestones Oct 13 Map current provision, identify key partners and initiate training programme - Produce draft report for consultation and feedback - First network event - New organisations sign up for training
Nov 13 Develop new partnerships with organisations working with non-participants - First training event: ‘Find Out About Arts Award: An introduction for Artists, Teachers and Group Leaders’ - Propose new ‘partnership’ Arts Award focussing on work experience - Meet with WF Young Advisers to consult and involve in resource guide
Dec 13 Promote effective communications with partner organisations - New partner organisations engaged - Establish project network as part of an existing network - Work with Waltham Forest Young Advisers in producing the Waltham Forest Guide to Arts Award and Beyond
Jan 14 Implement ‘Way forward’ plan and trial new models of communication and organisation proposed in the report. - Publish report online and link to partner websites - Second training event: ‘Next Steps: Training for Existing Advisers’ - Trial Arts Award Supporter scheme at William Morris Gallery - Third training event: ‘AA Full Adviser Training, Bronze and Silver’
Feb 14 Evaluation of training and the project’s impacts - Fourth training event: ‘Arts Award: What’s in it For Your Organisation?’ - Evaluation of training and increased capacity in the borough - William Morris Gallery achieves Arts Award Supporter status
Mar 14 Project outcomes and plan for sustainability - Evaluation of the project’s impacts - Produce draft resource pack/ guide (for feedback at network event) - Final network event (12 March 2014) - Produce the Mini-Guide to Arts Award & Beyond in Waltham Forest with ‘Way Forward’ plan for sustainability for 2014-17
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5. Conclusion
This report set out to map youth arts provision linked to Arts Award in Waltham Forest and to produce a ‘Way forward’ plan for the duration of the project, leading to a plan for sustainability after the project’s completion in March 2014. Its purpose is primarily to enable the project team, main partners and wider arts networks and community organisations to better understand the good work already happening in youth arts in Waltham Forest, as well as the main incentives and barriers to participation, and to identify structures and approaches for more effective joined up working.
Research of Arts Award providers found an above average level of participation among secondary schools but relatively low participation among post-16 providers. However, it was acknowledged that the latter have only recently been included in Artsmark (2012) and a high degree of interest in the project and subsidised training opportunities was found among providers in the sector.
Findings suggest that Waltham Forest’s secondary schools are generally motivated in participating in Arts Award (considerably less so in Artsmark) but that the project’s main growth point is the alternative and outside of school sector providing education, social and vocational services to young people.
Both schools and non-school organisations stressed their main concern was with the development and well-being of young people and both wanted to know more about the benefits of Arts Award, its costs and demands on staff time. Schools especially wanted to know how it was relevant to the curriculum and OFSTED status, while non-school organisations simply wanted to know more about the programme and its relevance to their services.
It was also found that different schools and non-school organisations have different specialisms, priorities and interests, requiring activities tailored to their main offer to help them achieve their individual goals within their main programmes and budgets. The examples of Chingford Academies Trust and Orleans House Gallery highlight the importance of growing provision from a single hub and branching out across organisations to create museum-school or school-creative industries collaborations. Such collaborations show potential to attract funding streams and, in so doing, advance joined up working and continuous professional development in and between the different organisations involved.
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Sources Arts Award (2013). Impact Study: Summary of findings from year one (October 2012- September 2013). Trinity College London [online]. Available: http://www.artsaward.org.uk/news/viewarticle.php?id=343 [16/10/13]
Arts Award (2013). Running Arts Award: Setting up as an Arts Award Centre [online]. Available: http://www.artsaward.org.uk/site/?id=71
Arts Council England (2012). London Region: Arts Award Participation Report by Local Authority, April 2012. London: Arts Council England [online]. Available: http://www.artsaward.org.uk/resource/?id=3533 [16/10/13]
Artsmark (2012). Artsmark Take-Up Figures [online]. Available: http://artsmark.org.uk/sites/default/files/media/Master%20for%20website.xlsx [16/10/13]
A New Direction for Arts, Culture and Young London: Artsmark [online] http://www.anewdirection.org.uk/programmes/artsmark [16/10/13]
Catherine Bunting (July 2013) Cultural Engagement by Young Londoners: An Introduction to key trends, drivers and challenges. A New Direction [online]. Available: http://www.anewdirection.org.uk/cultural-engagement-by-young- londoners#sthash.1AmxNb0n.dpuf [16/10/13]
Pippa Lord, et al (October 2012) London Schools Research: Cultural Engagement, Berkshire, National Foundation for Educational Research.
Waltham Forest Arts Network [online]: http://walthamforestartsnetwork.ning.com/
Waltham Forest Arts in Education Network [online]. Available: http://www.wfaen.org.uk/
Waltham Forest Arts and Events [online]. Available: http://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/pages/services/arts- information.aspx?l1=100009&l2=200006 [12/09/13]
Waltham Forest Leisure and Culture [online]. Available: http://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/Pages/Category/Leisure-and-culture.aspx
Waltham Forest Employment and Training [online]. Available:http://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/Pages/Category/Training-and- development.aspx?l1=100005
Waltham Forest Youth Services [online]. Available: http://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/Pages/SearchResults.aspx?k=Youth%20services
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Appendices
Appendix i: Table showing Arts Award and Artsmark activity in schools & colleges in Waltham Forest
Compiled by Yolanda Guns, AA moderator, Oct 2013.
School Name Arts Award Activity/Involvement Arts Mark Has access to trained AA Advisors through Pupil Referral Unit Belmont Park School programmes
Brookfield House Special School Arts Award Centre Buxton All-through School Not engaged with Arts Award Burnside PRU Has trained Advisers Chingford Foundation School AA multiple Case Study school and Supporter Centre Arts Mark Gold Connaught School for Girls Currently delivering AA Adviser Training The Davis KS4 Short Stay School Delivering AA through Burnside Secondary PRU Frederick Bremer Secondary School Have trained AA Advisers Forest School (Independent) Not yet engaged with AA Forest Pathways School Have trained AA Advisers through PRU George Mitchell Secondary School Have trained AA Advisers Previous Artsmark Heathcote School Have trained AA Advisers Previous Artsmark Higham’s Park School Have trained AA Advisers but currently inactive Previously not engaged now planning to deliver AA through Lammas School and Sports College WFAEN Leyton Sixth Form College Have knowledge of AA but not currently active Leytonstone School Have trained AA Advisers Joseph Clarke Special School Have trained AA Advisers Kelmscott School Not engaged in AA Normanhurst School (Independent) Have knowledge of AA but not currently active Norlington School Currently delivering AA Rushcroft Foundation School Currently delivering AA Sir George Monoux Sixth Form College Not engaged with AA The Davis KS4 Short Stay School Delivering AA through Burnside Secondary PRU The Holy Family Catholic School Have trained AA Advisers not currently active Waltham Forest College Not engaged with AA Walthamstow Academy Currently delivering AA Artsmark Whitefield Special Schools and Centre Currently delivering AA Artsmark Gold Walthamstow School for Girls Not recorded as active Application pending William Morris Special School Trained AA advisors through partnership with Brookfield (AA Centre) Willowfield School Trained AA advisers Previous Artsmark
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Appendix ii: List of Waltham Forest education, youth and arts organisations working with young people aged 16-25
The following list was compiled by WFAEN and used to recruit participants for the Arts Award and Beyond Project training, awareness raising and network events.
Schools and Colleges
Colleges: - Leyton 6th Form College - Waltham Forest College - Sir George Monoux College
Secondary Schools with 6th Forms: - Chingford Foundation School - Heathcote Schools and Science College - Highams Park School - The Holy Family Technology College - Walthamstow Academy
Special Schools and education providers: - Joseph Clarke School for students with visual impairment aged 2-18 (The following three schools all come under the Hornbeam Academy Trust) - William Morris School for students with profound and multiple learning difficulties aged 4-18 - Brookfield House School for students with physical disabilities, complex medical needs or hearing impairments aged 2-16 - Hospital & Home Teaching Service for students who are in hospital or are absent from school for long term medical reasons - Whitefields Schools and Centre for students with profound, multiple and severe learning difficulties and autistic spectrum disorders aged 3-19 - Belmont Park Schools and Centre for students with Emotional, Behavioural and Social Difficulties (EBD) aged 9-16 - Burnside School Pupil Referral Unit for Students with complex needs and behavioural difficulties Key stage 4 - Forest College Pathways Pupil Referral Unit for students with complex needs and behavioural difficulties
Youth and Community Services - Waltham Forest Children’s Rights Service Tel: 020 8509 3432 / Fax 020 8509 2323
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- Outset Centre Tel: 020 8496 1530 Email: [email protected]
- The 722 Young People Service helps young people to tackle drug and alcohol related issues they may have Tel: 020 8496 5020/5075
- Youth Support Service Waltham Forest includes the youth service, the teenage pregnancy service, information, advice and guidance services. The youth support service is a single organisational structure in the Children and Young People Services Directorate, responsible and accountable for youth policy. Tel: 020 8496 1530 / Fax: 020 8496 1536 Email: [email protected]
- Family Information Service Tel: 020 8496 3000
- Waltham Forest Community Learning and Skills Service (CLasSS) Tel: 020 8532 9355 www.walthamforestclass.gov.uk
- Blaze is a mixed Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) group for young people aged 16-25, offering a range of services and activities Tel: 020 85093898
- Forest YMCA offers accommodation and a range of activities and support services for young people in Waltham Forest Tel: 020 8509 4600 Email: [email protected]
- LDX (formerly Waltham Forest Mencap) has a variety of out of school play schemes, clubs and activities children and young people with learning disabilities aged 5-24 Tel: 020 3233 0850 Email: [email protected]
- Inspire Youth Project to achieve positive progression routes for young people aged 16-17 who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) Tel: Paula Daniels 020 8548 2333 Email [email protected]
- Worth Unlimited is a Christian organisation which supports young people at risk of social exclusion from education and their local communities in Waltham Forest Tel: 020 8090 5045 Email: [email protected]
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- Young Champions helps young people acquire skills and experience for employment and further education and training. It also offers social opportunities and a range of arts and sports activities. Tel: 020 8496 3000; 07530 072 216 Email: [email protected]
- The Careers Service provides careers advice, information and guidance for young people. It also provides a job placing service for young people aged 16-19 Tel: 020 8496 1920/ 1917
- Waltham Forest Young Advisers are young social action consultants who advise and work with community leaders and decision makers to engage young people in community life www.wfyoungadvisors.org.uk Twitter: @wfyoungadvisers
- Links4Life project provide works alongside young people aged 14-19 who are NEET Contact Jacqui Christopher Email: [email protected]
- Active Change Foundation & Youth Club support youth and gang diversion projects with a range of social and recreational activities Tel: 020 8279 1258
Cultural youth organisations - Africa Foundation Stone Tel: 020 8501 9929 - African Caribbean Support Network (for disabled youth) Tel: 020 8558 0395 - African Heritage Education Centre Tel: 020 8558 6811 - Asian Youth Leadership Programme Tel: 020 8223 0707 - Bengali International cultural and recreational activities Tel: 020 8988 7878
Arts organisations - DV8 Training is a school for 16-19s in creative, music and digital media courses Tel: 020 8531 8484 www.dv8training.com
- The Soul Project offers a range of creative activities to engage young people and prevent social exclusion www.thesoulproject.com
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- KNI Foundation provides relief of persons in need through participation in the performing arts Tel: 020 8090 8448 Email: [email protected]
- Diverse Voices Entertainment CIC provides a wide range of creative activities for children and young people in school and community settings. Tel: 020 8531 6614 Email: [email protected]
- Khyal Arts CIC social enterprise and community interest company for community cohesion through promoting North Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi art forms. Email: [email protected] www.khyalarts.org.uk
- British Gospel Arts 2020 is London’s first community gospel choir for children and young people aged 7-18. Tel: 020 8509 7222 www.britishgospelarts.com
- Sound Currents run music and arts projects for young people www.soundcurrents.co.uk Twitter: @soundcurrents
- Kuumba Youth Music enables young people aged 5-18 to achieve their potential through access to high quality classical music education www.kuumbayouthmusic.org
- Masquerade 2000 is a carnival arts organisation with a youth committee that supports the management committee www.m2kmas.com
- Unity Dance Company https://www.facebook.com/UnityDanceCompanyUK
- Kreative Culture Club www.kckclub.com
- Waltham Forest Theatre Train provides professional training in the performing arts for young people aged 6-18 Email: [email protected]
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Appendix iii: Waltham Forest Schools Networks
The local authority divided the borough’s schools into the Area Partnership categories outlined in the table below but does not organise meetings of the clusters.
a) Table of Waltham Forest Area Partnerships
North Area Partnership Central Area Partnership South Area Partnership Chingford/ Highams Park Walthamstow Leyton/ Leytonstone
Chingford Foundation Frederick Bremer Connaught Girls
Heathcote Kelmscott Leytonstone
Highams Park Holy Family Norlington
Rushcroft Foundation Walthamstow Academy Lammas
Walthamstow School for Girls
Willowfield
Table provided by WFAEN Oct 2013
Waltham Forest recently established a Strategic Education Partnership to drive up standards, which will comprise of Senior Officers, Head Teachers and Governors. A website was launched in November 2013.
b) List of Waltham Forest Schools Networks
1. A Waltham Forest partnership, led by Mark Morrall at Chingford Foundation School and the North Area Partnership, brings together work at Leytonstone, Chingford, George Mitchell, and Heathcote Schools and the focus of current work is ‘Leading Effective Teaching to Improved Learning Outcomes’.
2. Co-ordinated by Yolanda Guns, the Chingford Academies Trust Arts Award Supporter Centre at Chingford Foundation School works in partnership with Rushcroft Foundation School, Burnside PRU and feeder Chingford primary schools including Parkside, Yardley and Ainslie Wood. The Centre also offers Arts Award training and advice to schools,
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institutions, children and parents/carers across the borough and organises cluster meetings for Artsmark Gold schools.
3. CENLIG is the Walthamstow Schools Partnership Waltham Forest Central Area Partnership and was originally set up as Leadership Incentive Grant Group from which the name CENLIG derives. The partnership has worked collaboratively for over eight years sharing good practice, support for students and staff and developing a broad range of student opportunities. Currently the CENLIG Heads Group are based at the following schools and colleges:
- Sir George Monoux College - William Morris School - Walthamstow School for Girls - Kelmscott School - The Holy Family Technology College - Frederick Bremer - Willowfield Humanities College
For further information see www.cenlig.weebly.com/index.html
4. The Waltham Forest Teaching School Alliance consists of seven schools, both primary and secondary, with a wealth of experience from within the alliance with shared aims and values. WFTSA comprises:
- Head teacher Roger Ascham Primary School - leading School for the Teaching School Alliance - Head teacher Henry Maynard Primary School - Head teacher Yardley Primary Academy - Head teacher Walthamstow School for Girls - Head teacher Willowfield Humanities College - Head teacher Barclay Primary School - Head teacher Hillyfield Primary Academy
For further information contact: www.wftsa.com / [email protected]
5. The South Area Achievement Partnership is made up of five vulnerable schools in the south of the borough, including George Mitchell, Norlington Boys’ and Lammas.
The Heads’ meetings are co-ordinated by Joy Ahmet, PA to the Headteacher at Lammas School ([email protected]).
One of the initiatives that has come from this partnership is ‘Southern Area Network Meetings’ which are subject focused and organised by individual subject teachers from the schools in the area. The music meetings are co-ordinated by Katy Smith at
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The Lammas. Paul Daintry heads the Drama group - he also works at The Lammas. Any information to go out to the Art and Drama groups can be sent to Katy and she has offered to disseminate ([email protected])
6. The Waltham Forest Post-16 Partnership is a peer review programme with key institutions such as Leyton Sixth Form and George Monoux College aimed at driving up teaching standards.
c) Case studies of Information Networks used by two WFAEN member schools
The following two case studies were produced by Chantelle Michaux of WFAEN.
1. Training School Manager/Assistant Head teacher Willowfield Humanities College
- The Institute of Education (Art Dept) are a good source of information for us and we receive this through our association with trainee teachers.
- We visit a lot of the museums and galleries and are on their email lists regarding opportunities for students so this is a major source of info.
- Of course, Waltham Forest Arts in Education Network has been brilliant for us over the last few years and particularly with the Olympic year events. We have actually built some of our units of work and schemes of work around opportunities provided.
- Exchange of information between Art Departments happens informally, e.g. subject leader at Willowfield meets and exchanges information with subject leader at Kelmscott.
2. Leader for Cultural Enrichment (previously Head of Music) Norlington School.
- An important hub for information on art initiatives in the Borough is the Waltham Forest Arts in Education Network. Having been part of the Network since 1995 it has helped me meet and liaise with other colleagues teaching and other art professionals so both hearing about and contributing to the design of new opportunities for the School's pupils.
- Twice yearly I and the Head of Music attend the "Southern Area Network Meeting" of the music departments of half a dozen local State Secondary schools. These are organised mutually and chaired by a music speciality school. They now run after school but remain in a sense directed time for those attending. The agenda is chosen collectively and involves sharing information on offers and opportunities for pupils. Sometimes the Borough Music Service is invited and gives presentations.
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- The Borough Music Service contact the music department directly with information on their provision, and I have initiated contact with them several times for help with our own projects (for example lending us Dhol drums).
- We tend not to be contacted as a music department by local authority Arts Officers/Children's Services except on matters of professional teaching training, although we do see the information offers for pupils such as summer activities etc.
- Our Arts Award training and subsequent participation of pupils came through WFAEN.
- William Morris Gallery contacted the School with invitations and information on events.
- Almost all other access to arts-related information tends to come from the research of individual teachers, either responding to an offer mailing such as those made to schools by Mousetrap or by establishing their own relationships with individual Theatres/Companies/Artists via their education contact.
Appendix iv: Survey and consultation results
Schools
In addition to those schools that contributed information during consultations and the network event in October, six out of 27 schools completed and returned the questionnaire. While not a representative sample, these gave insight into the organisation of work experience with one school reporting: “We organise bespoke WE in cultural industries through our Arts Award programme". Another special school organised trainee music and drama therapists and was participating in the Live Music Now charity Arts Award pilot project. These last two examples are potentially of interest to other providers and will be explored in consultation with the organisations for inclusion in the project resource guide.
Post-16 and non-school organisations
Thirty post-16 organisations were sent questionnaires to which 12 returned responses. Four stated they were participating in Arts Award; two being Arts Award Centres, while one was unsure of their status but knew their organisation participated in the programme. Three of 12 respondents knew of Arts Award but, of these, only one provider was aware of the full range of benefits.
Significantly, four providers identified a main barrier to participation as a lack of information, with two citing cost and a further two citing staff time. One mentioned the problem and cost implications of obtaining a suitable venue.
In terms of work experience, four organisations offered work experience placements; three in the creative industries. One provider specified their work experience was ‘project led’ for
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which they recruited young people. Others were approached by the young person and placements took place on an ad-hoc basis at different times of the year.
Appendix v: Sample of questionnaire
The questionnaire was sent to 27 state maintained schools in the borough and another version was sent to 30 post-16 organisations. Sample of the questionnaire sent to state maintained secondary schools
An Introduction to Arts Award and Beyond
Waltham Forest has a vision to increase and improve participation in cultural activities in the borough for young people aged 14-25. We aim to do this by using Arts Award as a framework for schools and post-16 providers in further education and training, work experience, apprenticeships and volunteering. The lead cultural organisation for the project is the William Morris Gallery working in partnership with Chingford Academies Trust, Waltham Forest Arts in Education Network and Apex Arts.
How your organisation can help Activity in this first phase of the project aims to map schools involved in Arts Awards in Waltham Forest. Please help us with this exercise by completing electronically the questionnaire attached and returning by 20 September 2013 by email to [email protected]
The William Morris Gallery will provide a free pack of illustrated resources to organisations that complete and return this form.
Name of organisation: Address:
Post Code Website: Email: Tel:
Section a
1. What is the nature of your organisation’s work with young people e.g. training; social; targeted provision?
2. Would you be interested in subsidised training in Arts Award for your organisation?
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Yes/No (delete as appropriate)
3. Does your organisation currently participate in Arts Award? Yes/No (delete as appropriate)
If ‘No’ please go to page 3 Section (b) if ‘Yes’ please continue
4. What is the status of your organisation’s participation in Arts Award and/or Arts Mark, please tick which applies below: Arts Mark (please state rating e.g. Arts Mark/ Arts Mark Gold below) Our school/organization’s rating is... Arts Award (please state rating e.g. Silver/Gold below) Our school/organization’s rating is... Arts Award Centre Arts Award Supporter Arts Award Trainer Arts Award Adviser
5. Please give details of the person who leads cultural activity in Arts Award/ Arts Mark in your organisation below Name: Position: Email: Tel:
6. Does your organisation offer young people aged 14-25 work experience placements or other vocational experience? Y/N (delete as appropriate)
7. If ‘Yes’ is any work experience targeted at the creative industries e.g. art; design; technology; fashion; beauty (including nail art); performing arts? Please state below:
8. Please give details of how work experience is organised below: What year group/s is this organised for? What period in the year? Who sets up the placement e.g. school, pupil, external organisation?
Section b 1. Did you know about the following benefits of Arts Award? a. Arts Award can support the arts curriculum in a range of genres? Yes/ No b. The Pupil Premium can be used to pay for Arts Award? Yes/ No c. Gold Arts Award contributes to UCAS points? Yes/ No
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d. Arts Award can be included in continuous professional development? Yes/ No e. Arts Award contributes to your organisation’s Arts Mark status? Yes/ No
2. What are the main barriers or disincentives preventing your organisation from taking part in Arts Award? Please tick those that apply to your school below. Lack of staff capacity Cost of Arts Award moderation Cost of Training for staff Arts/ culture is a lower priority Lack of information/ unclear about Arts Award Other reason (please state below)
3. What three things would encourage your organisation to take part in Arts Award? i. ii. iii.
Thank you for completing this questionnaire. The information you provide is solely for the project Arts Award and Beyond and will be treated in confidence.
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Appendix vi: Consultation exercise and notes The project’s first network event was held at the William Morris Gallery 18 October 2013. Twenty-six attendees represented eight schools and 18 non-school and post-16 organisations. Following presentations about the project and research report, participants formed mixed groups of school and non-school providers to discuss and give their views on the barriers and benefits of Arts Award, structures of communication, work experience, main discussion points and ‘next steps’. Notes from Arts Award and Beyond Networking Meeting were recorded by Chantelle Michaux, Arts Coordinator for WFAEN. (The number of ‘dots’ indicates multiple agreements to that point)
a) Barriers and benefits of delivering Arts Award Benefits (schools) 1. More knowledge and skills sharing ‘a knowledge shop’ 2. Already doing much of it as part of curriculum 3. Evidence can be linked to curriculum areas of study 4. Child-based / flexible 5. Can use existing programme 6. Brings young people to Gallery 7. Students’ self-esteem, being part of something positive other than school, being creative 8. Flexible – not curriculum-restricted
Benefits (non-schools) 9. Distracts from involvements in gangs and anti-social behaviour 10. Freelancers / voluntary sector – an opportunity to share 11. Respect and celebrate; Knowledge sharing 12. On their own terms – PRU kids – not literacy based 13. Promotes organisation 14. Accessibility to children and young people with special needs, ADL, EBD 15. A qualification that helps NEETs to get jobs 16. Amazing offer for young people that an organisation can provide 17. Embed in organisation as continuous activity 18. Build partnerships for organisation 19. Engages young people – outreach tool for organisation 20. Compliments employability programme of an organisation
Benefits (both) 1. Social and communication skills (1 dot) 2. Put it on CV – helps get into university or work (1dot) 3. Accredits what the young people already do 4. Creates a community spirit (6 dots) 5. Finding out about careers in the arts (1 dot)
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6. Knowing who to contact / information sharing 7. Is achievable – not too much work 8. Children’s experiences/testimonials (11 dots) 9. Tapping into existing networks (WMG/Yolanda etc) 10. Embed in organisation as continuous activity 11. Good for whole spectrum of abilities – gifted and talented; SEN and excluded young people
Barriers (schools) 1. Pressure on young people to achieve academic results (1 dot) 2. Cost/budget 3. Need extra money for artists’ fees? 4. Persuade our school that Arts Awards is a worthwhile cost (1 dot) 5. Where do we start? (overwhelming) 6. Time/curriculum demands/focus 7. No longer directly linked (required) by Artsmark 8. Lack of understanding of Arts Award’s potential contribution to OFSTED, some curriculum enhancement etc and benefits 9. Don’t know enough about what it entails
Barriers (non-schools) 1. Hard work to find out about networks 2. What happens after March 2014? Funding wise…. 3. Funding/accessing (1 dot) 4. Schools not knowing what Arts Award is (from an Arts Award provider) 5. Organisational and staff capacity to develop projects; might be too much admin
Barriers (both) 1. Funding the project (6 dots) 2. Too many networks – too many – don’t need more (3 dots) 3. How much work? Portfolios/expectations 4. Lack of confidence to deliver (especially in relation to guiding young people through wide range of arts/creative practice) (1 dot)
Verbal summary of benefits and barriers: 1. Most issues seemed to be relevant for both school and non-school organisations 2. Benefits young people – confidence, career development, self-esteem – breadth of the offer / not prescriptive – follows their interests and developmental needs 3. No more networks but overarching forum 4. Not obvious enough as new practitioner where to go
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5. More knowledge/ skills sharing/ knowledge shop/ website for young people/ arts practitioners 6. Platform to respect and celebrate work of practitioners and young people – work on the ground needs to be promoted 7. Good at both ends of educational spectrum – Gifted and Talented to give competitive edge and young offenders, refugees and asylum seekers to re-engage in learning 8. Cost, lack of understanding of potential benefits, apprehension about administrative burden, competition re DofE or sports qualifications – which direction? 9. Lots of barriers around lack of understanding 10. No more emails – face to face meetings – no more networks - meeting once a term
b) Next Steps
Communication 1. Buddying ‘mentor’ 2. Students sharing experiences 3. Time e.g. organising networks takes time 4. Liaise with other schools / skills sharing / teachers and arts practitioners (1 dot) 5. Independent person not linked to a school 6. Facilitating an environment that is already set up, and celebrating – not imposing 7. Foundation in place – too many consultations and then foundation organisations/grass roots ignored to start something ‘new’ and ‘innovative’ 8. Having one person to speak to 9. Seeing case studies / examples of AA portfolios (1 dot) 10. AA website – would be good to have local website eg www.artsaward_wf.org (1 dot) 11. On-line info for young people to look at BEFORE they sign up instead of giving printed material/info about AA (1 dot) 12. Face to face important 13. Directory of practitioners (1 dot) 14. Advisory Group / Blog / Social Media 15. Network / Skills – Transfer – George Mitchell School (another small school only one teacher) 16. AND website / Borough activities, info, partners 17. Promote young people – AA Voice – local picture? Link with employers 18. I don’t read my emails properly/ emails rarely get through – need to talk and be involved 19. Subject specialist meetings? 20. Could Arts Award Voice / Cultural Passport (Trinity Platforms) capture and share local offer? 21. Monthly/quarterly events with discussions
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Arts Award & Beyond... project report prepared by Laura Elliott Report appendices
22. Promote higher education to young people / provide info
b) Work Experience + 1. Working with practitioners 2. Great for finding out about arts careers 3. Real-life experience vs school-based stifling/too competitive (2 dots) 4. Vetting agency – someone to vouch for the young people 5. Infrastructure (is needed?) 6. Getting advice from big players 7. Creative subjects just not for Job Centres, not for employment 8. Draw on artists’ skills. Artists do not need to be advisers to contribute! 9. LOCAL register of opportunities in addition to Arts Award website (3 dots) 10. No budget for work experience (school) 11. Use Arts practitioners already in schools delivering Arts Award who have good industry links 12. Hard for small organisations; could link work experience with Arts Award and with local arts organisations 13. As an arts organisation , we are too small to offer regular work experience to students ‘other’ than those doing their Arts Award with us 14. More arts career ‘mentoring’ for young people in a specific discipline. We can offer this with our artists who teach for our arts
Verbal summary points on next steps: 1. Subject meetings with teachers 2. Work experience – loved it – young people don’t get a good taste of creative-related careers. Working with practitioners even if you don’t practice the art form. 3. Students sharing experience with others – Arts Award students going into other schools (time management?) 4. Liaising with other schools 5. Career mentoring available 6. Creative work experience register – locally 7. Pathways into HE within the arts sector – CREATIVE CHOICES – Career development portal – CREATIVE & CULTURAL SKILLS – can we use Arts Award to channel people into creative careers 8. Inspiration for Arts Award comes from the child - talking about barriers – important to use local skills – local training – elephant in the room with Artsmark – only 35 schools – local partnerships, local artists, local networks 9. Funding for networks – sustainability – offering space to schools for exhibitions 10. Brighton-based representative gave model of termly meeting for Arts Award practitioners – 2 hours’ long – first hour was for Arts Award issues, 2nd hour was for
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Arts Award & Beyond... project report prepared by Laura Elliott Report appendices
teachers to meet artists – works well (FUNDED BY THE BRIDGE ORGANISATION!). Request for more information re this model.
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