Primary Arts: FAQs

Find answers to some of the frequently asked questions

• 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, we will liaise with your school to ensure that the programme is inclusive for your pupils.

• 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 per session.

  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.

  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, 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.

  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.

• Who can take part in the ‘Go & See’ offers?

  'Go & See' is available to all eligible schools, however ticket numbers are limited.

• 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.

  A small number of places remain on the Cultural Education Leadership Programme 2024/25. If you are interested in applying to join the programme, please contact Laura Fuller, Senior Programme Manager by email laura.fuller@anewdirection.org.uk.

  To express your interest in the 25/26 Cultural Education Leadership Programme Cohort, please email schools@anewdirection.org.uk and put Primary Arts Leadership Programme in the subject line.

• How do you decide which schools get places?

  If we receive more booking requests than there are places on the programme, (i.e. more than 100 for In-Schools Touring in the first year), we will consider a range of metrics for disadvantage, as well as availability and geographical spread across London boroughs to decide which schools will be allocated a place.

• Is Primary Arts accessible?

  Yes. Each 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, we will liaise with your school to ensure that the programme is inclusive for all your participating pupils.

  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 towards 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 towards transport, additional staff 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. Further details of how to detail any access needs will be provided on the Primary Arts booking platform for each strand of the Primary Arts activity.

  If you have any questions about the programme, please email us at schools@anewdirection.org.uk

• 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 three weeks' notice (excluding school holidays). These fees are as follows: In-School Touring programme – up to £1,000, Go & See - up to £300 per class, Masterclasses - £150 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 at least three working days in advance so the place can be offered to someone on the waiting list.

• 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.

• We are in an all-through school, can we take part?

  Yes, staff and pupils from primary year groups in all-through settings are eligible for the programme, as long as the school is based in a London borough and is a state school.

• We are a PRU, can we take part?

  Yes, Pupil Referral Units (PRUs) working with primary aged pupils are eligible for the programme, as long as the school is in a London borough and is a state school.

• Can home-schooled children take part?

  Primary Arts is only open to primary state school settings and SEND settings. Individuals who are home-schooling and home-schooling groups are not currently eligible to take part in the programme.

• 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 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.