11 by 11 is an Islington Council-led call to action for the council, schools and cultural organisations to work together to place culture at the heart of every child’s learning and development. The wider programme’s goal is equity of access to enrichment activities for Islington’s children and young people, particularly targeting those who are most disadvantaged.
Through access to this level of cultural provision, the partnership aims to ensure children and young people have the skills and knowledge to thrive and shape fulfilling lives. The Cultural Enrichment Team are working closely with the School Improvement Team at Islington Council to ensure staff in education settings have access to opportunities and can develop their skills and support their students’ cultural learning.
The broader programme offers free cultural experiences to schoolchildren, and this delivery is underpinned by 11 by 11’s Challenge London strand, Culture Bank.
Now in its second year, Culture Bank enhances the 11 by 11 initiative through a wraparound service of support and training for teachers, the cultural sector and Council colleagues. It also gathers research on 11 by 11 to centre enrichment at the heart of Islington’s work with children and young people.
Culture Bank additionally assists the Council in creating space for the voices of young people most in need to access opportunities in the creative sector and shape these according to their needs and interest.
Youth voice and representation
11 by 11’s Youth Voice programme affirms the partnership’s commitment to centre the groups facing the most barriers to cultural access. Work is being undertaken with key council services to give young people a platform on bespoke pilot projects, providing opportunities for council work to be directly advised by the borough’s young people.
Culture Bank at a glance
- 56 Schools have nominated a Cultural Lead Teacher, a Cultural Governor, or both, who champion 11 by 11 in their schools and access the Cultural Lead programme
- 16 CPD artist-led training sessions and nine Cultural Lead meetings for teachers have been held to date. 125 unique participants have attended across all 25 sessions, with an average of 14 participants per session
- Culture Bank has enabled upscaling of targeted work for young people in need across key services to take place with a range of participants; through the cooperation of the Childrens’ Active Involvement Service, Children in Need Service, pupil referral units, secondary inclusion unit and wellness centres, and key arts partners from the borough
Challenge London investment from A New Direction: £50,000 over two years and three months.
This partnership is also receiving Challenge London Legacy Funding.
Contact
Islington Cultural Enrichment Team: culture@islington.gov.uk
