During my visit to Three Rivers Academy in Surrey, I had numerous conversations with students about the importance of arts in their lives. At the end of one interview with four Year 10s, they expressed an argument of why arts should be included in schools. I thought I would reproduce it here (with some editing) … Continue reading you can’t express a feeling in an equation
practising photography in a garden
This post is written by Lexi Earl. Most of our school visits take a fairly general form. We observe lessons of various kinds, interview teachers, and talk to students. These are always interesting and exciting days – one never knows what one will encounter in an art class or a drama class – but I … Continue reading practising photography in a garden
understanding relationships through movement
This post is written by Lexi Earl. During my visit to St Mary’s College in Hull, I had the opportunity to observe a Year 13 Performing Arts class. This group of Year 13s are studying BTec Performing Arts and their course is made up of drama, dance and singing classes. Many want to go on … Continue reading understanding relationships through movement
visiting artists, sharing life lessons
This post is written by Lexi Earl. Many of the schools we visit invite artists, performers, touring companies, and other creative people in to talk to students, demonstrate techniques, run workshops, or perform plays. These types of experiences offer wonderful opportunities for the young people to see what it is like to ‘do’ a particular … Continue reading visiting artists, sharing life lessons
working with difficult ideas
This post was written by Pat Thomson on her visit to Thomas Tallis school in Greenwich. Studying photography is not just about learning how to make images. It is also learning how the photograph itself can be understood. On a recent visit to Thomas Tallis, I saw a visiting artist working with a Year 10 class. The artist was Dafna … Continue reading working with difficult ideas
language and literacy in the art room
People often think about art subjects as purely 'doing stuff' with paint, pencils and maybe the odd camera. However, there’s a lot of literacy practice which is specific to the art room. When I visited the Royal Grammar School in Newcastle, art room literacies were clearly in evidence. I saw : (1) Reading. Students are … Continue reading language and literacy in the art room
creative arts and wellbeing
This post is written by Lexi Earl. During my visit to Lampton School in Hounslow, I had the opportunity to speak to a group of A-level students. Some were taking Drama, others Music, and many were also studying English Literature. What was most interesting about the combination of students I spoke to was the way … Continue reading creative arts and wellbeing
painting clay, having fun
This post is written by Lexi Earl. At Grey Coat Hospital in London, the Art department has found an innovative way to offer more skills development for their Year 12 students, by running an informal after-school Art Club. On Monday afternoons, once school is finished at 3.30pm, the Year 12 art students congregate in the bright … Continue reading painting clay, having fun
what kind of pirate are you?
This post is written by Lexi Earl. Late last year, I had the opportunity to see Coriolanus at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. It was a spectacular performance, and I was completely immersed in the story and the characters. I found myself paying particular attention to the fight scenes. I watched as the actors moved together … Continue reading what kind of pirate are you?
using artworks in drama
This post is written by Lexi Earl, on her visit to West Derby School in Liverpool. As most readers of this blog will have gathered by now, I spend most of my time visiting the different schools that are involved in this project. Generally, I know what to expect from my visit. If the school … Continue reading using artworks in drama
tale 