Project

Spaeda Arts Education are leading the SEN.se Creative Arts network group termly meetings for this academic year. The group has been briefed to undertake work in response to the RAP (Raising Achievement Plan) for Somerset. Spaeda are working to support them in creating and developing action research projects using the creative arts within Special School contexts to raise achievement and develop resources for use in mainstream settings to support the social, emotional and mental health and wellbeing for all students. Our sessions are a combination of updates and input to support their research projects. We have generated inspiring practical or exemplar resources and experiences to take back into their classrooms to use as part of, or alongside, their own action research projects.

We had great fun exploring new approaches to automatic drawing in May, as part of our ongoing CPD support for this special education action research group. Wearing Heath Robinson portable box drawing machines on our backs (see photos) while moving in response to different types of music, we were fascinated to see the different marks and drawings made by our body movements. This is just one approach to drawing that can be used to encourage reluctant students to participate and engage in drawing and other activities. We will continue to explore other diverse techniques to support engagement and learning through the arts, with practical transferrable activities included in each session – can’t wait for the next one

This innovative development work is funded by InspirED via the RIO Challenge Fund and is allowing us to work closely with a cluster of Special schools to help them access local arts resources and explore new ways of working collaboratively.