Who can take part in the Primary Arts programme?
Primary Arts is open to all state primary mainstream and special schools in London. The programme is designed to include children in all primary year groups from Reception to Year 6. Your school must be in a London borough to be eligible for the programme.
Can we sign up for more than one strand of the programme?
Schools and individuals can take part in more than one strand of the programme, but only one in-school touring booking can be made per school, per year.
Who can take part in the In-Schools Touring programme?
Primary Arts is open to all state primary mainstream and special schools in London. The programme is designed to include children in all primary year groups from Reception to Year 6. Your school must be in a London borough to be eligible for the programme. If your school or a member of your school staff is participating in another area of the Primary Arts programme, you are still eligible to make a booking request for this strand of the programme.
Each in-school touring offer is suitable for at least one Key Stage and can be adapted to work for pupils with additional needs whether in mainstream or SEND settings. Where needed, our Touring Access & Inclusion Adviser will liaise with your school and work with our cultural partners to ensure that the programme meets your pupils’ needs.
Only one touring booking will be considered per school per year. There are places for 25 schools available on the In-Schools Touring pilot. The In-Schools Touring programme will take place on site at your school.
Who can take part in the Masterclasses?
Masterclasses are open to qualified teachers working at any level in eligible schools. They are suitable for Class teachers (EYFS to KS2), English Subject Leads and Senior Leadership.
There are 30 places available at each Masterclass. You are welcome to book to attend more than one Masterclass, but each must be booked separately. Places at each Masterclass will be limited to two participants per school.
These Masterclasses will take an inclusive approach and are suitable for teachers working in primary mainstream and SEND settings. An access budget is available to support participant engagement in this programme, for example for transport, BSL interpretation or other costs.
The sessions will take place at the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education, 44 Webber St, London SE1 8QW. As this is a full-day CPD event, lunch and light refreshments will be provided.
Who can take part in the ‘Come & Try’ twilight sessions?
‘Come & Try’ twilights are open to any member of staff in eligible schools, including teachers, SENDCo, Teaching Assistants, support staff, and admin staff.
Your school must be in a London borough to be eligible for the programme. If your school or a member of your school staff is participating in another area of the Primary Arts programme, you are still eligible to take part in this strand of the programme. There are 25 places available at each twilight and places will be limited to two participants per school.
The programme is designed to support your own personal enjoyment and enrichment through the arts, as well as supporting learning. No prior experience is needed for any of these sessions, which will be suitable for complete beginners as well as for those interested in rekindling past interests.
These twilights will take an inclusive approach and are suitable for teachers working in primary mainstream and SEND settings. An access budget is available to support participant engagement in this programme, for example for transport, BSL interpretation or other costs.
These twilight sessions will take place at the Crafts Council Gallery, 44a Pentonville Road, London N1 9BY and light refreshments will be provided.
Who can take part in the ‘Go & See’ offers?
Ticketed ‘Go & See’ offers may have specific eligibility criteria – these will be clearly indicated when these offers are announced.
Who can sign up for the Cultural Education Leadership Programme?
The Cultural Education Leadership Programme can be applied for by all London primary teachers ECT+1 and above interested in leading a change in their school's approach to arts, culture and creativity across all subject areas.
The Cultural Education Leadership Programme pilot is currently underway and is full. Subject to funding, we anticipate that our next cohort will be open for applications later this academic year, ready for a September 24 start.
To express your interest in the 24/25 Cultural Education Leadership Programme Cohort, please email schools@anewdirection.org.uk and put Primary Arts Leadership Programme in the subject line.
Is Primary Arts accessible?
Yes. Each in-school touring offer is suitable for at least one Key Stage and can be adapted to work for pupils with additional needs whether in mainstream or SEND settings. Where needed, our Touring Access & Inclusion Adviser will liaise with your school and work with our cultural partners to ensure that the programme meets your pupils’ needs.
The Masterclasses and Come & Try events will take an inclusive approach, and an access budget is available to support participant engagement in these parts of the programme, for example for transport, BSL interpretation or other costs.
For the Go & See programme, an access budget is available to support engagement in this programme, for example for transport, BSL interpretation or other costs.
Can Primary Arts help us with travel and access costs?
An access budget is available to support engagement in this programme, for example for transport, BSL interpretation or other costs. Booking information is included in the description of each part of the programme. You can find further details and links to booking forms on A New Direction’s website www.anewdirection.org.uk/primary-arts. If you have any questions about the programme, please email us at schools@anewdirection.org.uk
Further details of how to detail any access needs will be provided on the booking forms for each strand of the Primary Arts activity.
Can Primary Arts pay for cover so that I can attend a session?
While we do make a contribution to the cost of cover for participants on the Cultural Education Leadership Programme, we are not able to offer this for any other programme strands.
Is the programme really free?
Yes it is! However please note that while these events are free of charge to book and attend, we may charge your school a cancellation fee for no-shows or cancellations with less than 48 hours’ notice. These fees are as follows: In-School Touring programme – up to £1,000, Masterclasses - £80 per participant.
Come and Try does not have cancellation fees but we request that you let us know if you are no longer able to attend 48 hours in advance so the place can be offered to someone on the waiting list. Cancellation fees for Go and See will be advised when this strand of the programme is launched in April.
Why do you charge a cancellation fee?
While the programme is free for schools to access, there is a considerable cost involved in providing it. Late cancellations mean that we are not able to offer spaces to other schools, but still need to pay the people and/or venues supporting delivery. By charging a cancellation fee, we are able to recoup some costs. The cancellation fees are significantly lower than the actual cost of any given session.
My school is in Hertfordshire/ Surrey/ Essex/ Middlesex/ Kent, can we take part?
Only schools located within a London borough are eligible for this programme.
I work in a school outside London but I live in London, can I take part?
You must be working in a school located within a London borough in order to be eligible for this programme.
I work in a school but I am not a qualified teacher, can I take part?
If you are working in a school in a London borough but are not a qualified teacher (so if you are, for example, a Teaching Assistant or other support or admin staff), you are very welcome to join one of our Come & Try sessions. Only qualified teachers are eligible to participate in our Masterclasses programme and Cultural Education Leadership Programme.
I'm a supply teacher, can I take part?
The Masterclasses are open to qualified teachers working at any level in eligible schools. The 'Come & Try' sessions are available to any member of staff in eligible schools including teachers, teaching assistants, support staff and admin staff. As we have limited places on each of the programmes, we prioritise teachers who are based in one school so that the learning from these events can be effectively shared with colleagues at that school. If you are a supply teacher on a long-term contract in one school, you are welcome to apply. If you are a supply teacher on short term contracts and are interested in a place, please email schools@anewdirection.org.uk and we can add you to a waiting list should places become available just before the event.
Any further questions?
If you have any further questions about the Primary Arts programme, please email schools@anewdirection.org.uk and we will do our best to help you.
