SCEC Creative Saturday School

After a successful pilot scheme in 2020, Dulwich College ran a nine week Creative Saturday School for the the Southwark Community Educational Charity.

Pupils from participating state primary schools were invited to take part in the scheme which took place at the College.

Aims

To bring children with similar interests from various backgrounds together; to break down social, economic myths and barriers; and to provide aspirational opportunity for those with creative aptitude and passion.

Background

We are aware that funding cuts and curriculum priorities can often mean art is an under resourced subject at primary-level and that private tuition in the subject is not easy to access for younger year groups.

Utilising an existing relationship with the Creative Dimension Trust, who use Dulwich College facilities to run workshops for 16 to 24 year olds, we piloted workshops for younger pupils in February half term 2019, and in Lent term 2020.

Resources

As well as providing the necessary facilities, administrative and HR support, the College also provides equipment, refreshments and a fully trained member of staff to oversee the scheme on Saturday mornings.

The scheme ran for nine weeks during Lent 2022. 15 pupils from nine primary schools took part, learning different art techniques and boosting their confidence before making the transition to secondary school. The sessions are led by staff from the College and also external practitioners form, for example, the De Morgan Foundation.

Impact

Parents were very positive about the workshops and interested in seeing what their children were working on week by week. They often stayed behind after sessions to talk to tutors about sourcing tools and materials so pupils could continue developing their skills at home independently.

Pupil Involvement

Fifteen children attended from nine local primary schools.

Frequency

The pupils had nine two-hour workshops during the Lent term. This will be repeated for a new cohort of pupils every year.