New fund will bring writers to schools

5 June 2015

NEWS AND UPDATES

New fund will bring writers to schools

A new scheme, aiming to improve the quality of creative-writing lessons by sending professional writers into schools, has been launched. The creative writing in schools fund, run by Arts Council England, will provide financial support, enabling professional writers to deliver workshops to primary and secondary pupils. Read more

Fresh cuts to education budgets

Chancellor George Osborne has announced almost a billion pounds of in-year spending cuts to the budgets of the Department for Education and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. Mr Osborne said today that the DfE and BIS would each make an extra £450m of savings in the 2015-16 financial year, totalling £900m in reductions.orge Osborne announces fresh cuts to education budgets. Read more

Teenagers' 'promising futures at risk' from cuts

Further council funding cuts will put thousands of youngsters' "promising futures" at risk, say town hall bosses. A Local Government Association survey of councils in England, says 90% have cut services for teenagers not in education, employment and training. Read more

All failing schools to be academies under new bill

The Education and Adoption Bill seeks to "remove bureaucratic and legal loopholes" that slow up the process of turning failing schools into academies. Education Secretary Nicky Morgan said schools would be improved faster by academy sponsorship under the plans. Read more

It's time to challenge stereotypes of apprenticeships in the arts

Accessible, authentic and fit-for-purpose apprenticeships benefit both individual and sector, writes ex-museum apprentice Eli Bligh-Briggs. Read more

Applications now open for National Theatre’s Connections 500

Connections is the National Theatre’s annual youth theatre festival, which promotes theatre making and opportunities for 13-19 year olds across the UK. In 2016, National Theatre’s Connections turns 21 and to celebrate the Theatre is looking for 500 secondary schools and youth theatres to take part in the biggest Connections festival to date. Applications to take part in 2016 are now open and the deadline for applying is Wednesday 8 July 2015. Apply now

Teach Through Music

A year-long, fully subsidised professional development programme for KS3 music teachers in London schools, supported by the London Schools Excellence Fund that is coming to an end this July. The programme has drawn upon the expertise of teachers, the Higher Education community and cultural organisations and will culminate in a Final Conference open to the wider national music community . Book your place

Disadvantaged children twice as likely to miss out on top GCSE grades

A study by think-tank the Sutton Trust found that across all children, 15 per cent of pupils who scored in the top 10 per cent nationally at age 11 in their Sats tests failed to get in the top 25 per cent at GCSE level. Read more

Young Creatives programme

Youth Dance England's Young Creatives programme culminated in April of this year with an inspiring showcase of new works produced by this year's cohort of young choreographers. Read more

EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

V&A Summer School for teachers

V&A Schools has joined forces with Reachout RCA to offer a special DesignLab Summer School for secondary teachers and trainee teachers this year. For more information, download the PDF below.

Download V&A Summer Teachers' School

Lean Arts events

Sample - Discover - Share event

A creative networking event for the early years/KS1 sector in partnership with Apples and Snakes and Coin Street Family and Children's Centre, Southbank, in order to encourage the development of partnerships between early years settings, schools and creative practitioners. Book now

What does resilience look?

This event intends to increase artists' ability to apply resilience and emotional literacy to their arts practice and effectively measure the impact of this work with children and young people. Book now

Take Over Day

Want to put young people at the heart of your work? Come along to a Planning and Sharing Meeting for Takeover Day – the annual day when young people and children nationwide are given powerful, meaningful, decision-making roles within museums, galleries, archives, arts and heritage sites. Book your place

For the love of – Planet Earth

Aged 5 – 18? Have something to say about climate change? Make a short film. Use your passion and energy to tell everyone why fighting climate change matters. Your film could be screened at a special event – and even be professionally produced. Read more

Education Project Manager for Bow Arts

Bow Arts are expanding their Education and Learning programme and are looking to appoint a highly motivated, passionate, skilled and experienced Education Project Manager to join the team. Deadline for applications is 12noon on Wednesday 17th June 2015. Read more

(Image courtesy of TES)