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Thurrock Trailblazer 2018/19 Overview What is Thurrock Trailblazer? Thurrock Trailblazer is an innovative programme of high-quality arts and cultural activities, visits to heritage sites and specialist teacher training that boosts creative learning in schools and accelerates pupils’ development. Based on extensive research and aligned to Arts Council England’s Artsmark Award, Thurrock Trailblazer is a rigorous, effective and sustainable path to whole-school improvement.

Thurrock Trailblazer provides every pupil with access to high-quality arts and culture activities provided by the Royal Opera House and other cultural organizations. Working with the ROH Learning and Participation team each school creates a year-long calendar of cross-curricular creative activities that is tailored to their school’s needs. The programme can include any art form, such as creative writing, visual arts, design, drama, dance, music, singing, film and photography.

To ensure schools develop the very best programme for their pupils, Thurrock Trailblazer also gives teachers access to expertise, training and resources from a wide range of high-quality cultural providers such as theatres, museums, galleries, orchestras, professional artists, writers and choreographers. Together, through the Trailblazer programme, we are creating an outstanding learning culture in Thurrock that will provide every child with the opportunity to discover their creativity, connect with the wider world and develop essential personal skills. It is the ambition that Thurrock Trailblazer will have worked with all schools in Thurrock by 2020.

       

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What challenges does Thurrock Trailblazer address? Experiencing high-quality arts and culture has a profound impact on children and young people’s lives. Visiting, watching, making and performing are crucial to the development of imagination, identity, self- expression and creativity. Children and young people, who do not have access to quality cultural learning are at an emotional, social and economic disadvantage. Trailblazer will ensure every pupil in Thurrock benefits from the transformative power of arts and culture so that they can make the most of their potential. A rich mix of arts and cultural activities stimulates children and young people’s aspiration and raises attainment across the curriculum. Schools without a broad and balanced curriculum will struggle to be outstanding. Trailblazer will harness the best knowledge and opportunities from local, regional and national organizations to unlock the creative potential in all Thurrock schools and acts as a catalyst for whole-school improvement.

       

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What has happened in Thurrock Trailblazer so far? Since 2014/15, Thurrock Trailblazer has worked more than 375 teachers in Continued Professional Development programmes. The programme has reached 43 schools and more than 10,000 students, all of whom participated in creative and cultural activities.

So far in 2017/18

•   32 schools are engaging with the programme, consisting of 19 Primary, 9 Secondary, 2 SEN, 1 College and 1 Virtual School (Thurrock Children in Care).

•   30 of these schools are on an Artsmark journey. So far 3 have been leveled as Artsmark Platinum, 7 as gold and 11 as silver.

•   The Royal Opera House and 17 local, regional and national Cultural Partners has worked with 195 teachers in more than 100 hours of Continued Professional Development.

•   More than 4000 children from Early Years to Post-16 have participated in creative and cultural projects, workshops and trips.

‘Our pupils...definitely showed an increased level of interaction to what we normally see in the classroom.’ ‘for me it's really transforming what is going on in Thurrock schools...a wonderful opportunity to bring into the region the very best practice.’ ‘...the reception that some schools have had from Ofsted has been incredibly positive...this kind of work is, overall, viewed very, very favourably because it has a very positive impact...’ ‘We’ve rewritten our curriculum…so staff see it (the arts) as an expectation within the curriculum…rather than an extra’

       

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How does it work? Thurrock Trailblazer Ingredients

A strategic whole school approach This is at the heart of Thurrock Trailblazer. It is linked to the school’s improvement and development plans and aligned with the Arts Council England’s Artsmark programme. CPD, networking and reflection This is made up of a selection of meetings, training sessions and events for Trailblazer Cultural Champions, teachers, SLT and governors. Essential CPD dates for Cultural Champions are provided in the ‘Save the Date’ section below. Optional CPD dates for Cultural Champions and other members of staff can be selected from the Trailblazer Cultural Catalogue, which will be issued when the Trailblazer 18/19 application process is launched on 16 April 2018.

       

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Cultural projects and activities in school and cultural visits out of school These activities will be selected by each school to meet the needs identified through undertaking a cultural audit of school provision. You will be given information about all the projects available, a budget, and will be asked to give your reasons for selecting each project or activity. Sharing and celebration of cultural activities It is up to each school to decide how to share and celebrate their Trailblazer activities within their community. We will support you to explore and create both ‘live’ and digital celebration and sharing opportunities for your students, staff and wider community. How will it work in your school? You will appoint a member of staff to be your ‘Trailblazer Cultural Champion (Appendix 1)’ who has the role of the project manager. You are also encouraged to identify a Deputy Cultural Champion to support. Together, they will bring all of these elements together, in order to create a strategic, whole-school approach to cultural learning. Cultural Champions are supported throughout the year by the Thurrock Trailblazer Cultural Champion network and leadership development programme.

       

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What will the schools get? Trailblazer schools will gain access to:

•   A carefully curated Cultural Catalogue, complete with offers from local, regional and national Cultural Providers.

•   A budget of between £1500 and £2000 per school to spend on their cultural programme from the Cultural Catalogue.

•   A wide range of cultural and creative teaching CPD, including a cultural leadership training programme and support for Cultural Champions.

•   Support to become an Artsmark school. •   A leadership conference themed on driving change aimed at school

leaders and governors. •   Support towards Arts Award and specially designed Thurrock

Trailblazer resources. •   A peer learning network and digital platform for sharing practice across

the borough. •   Visits by highly experienced education consultants, who are available to

support any aspect of your journey throughout the year. •   A detailed annual evaluation of the programme which measures impact,

develops understanding and provides evidence for a range of stakeholders and audience.

•   A dedicated Trailblazer Team!

       

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What is expected from the schools? A Trailblazer school will commit to:

•   Financial contribution of £400 per school plus £1.20 for every pupil on the school roll.

•   Providing an appropriate and suitably qualified Cultural Champion and Deputy Cultural Champion. Please read the role description (Appendix 1).

•   Senior leadership support for the Cultural Champion. •   Governor support for the Cultural Champion (Appendix 2). •   Releasing teachers for Trailblazer meetings and CPD as required. •   A whole-school approach with an optional, yet recommended,

commitment to Artsmark (Appendix 3) and identifying links to the school improvement plan.

•   Evaluation and documentation of Trailblazer projects and CPD, to understand and evidence the impact of the programme in your school.

•   A whole-school activity. For example, a festival day, open afternoon or exhibition.

•   Costs for transport and teacher cover where appropriate. •   Artsmark registration fee and Arts Award moderation fee if taking part

in these elements of the programme.

       

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(1) Cultural Champion Role Description Cultural Champions are:

•   Ambitious teachers with at least five years of teaching experience in a secure professional place in their career.

•   Teachers with previous experience of project management is useful. •   Capable of leading a whole-school initiative as an interesting and

relevant challenge. •   Members of staff with a strong interest in creative and cultural learning.

However, they do not need to be specialist arts curriculum teachers. •   Reflective and generous teachers who recognize the value of

collaborative working. •   Committed to documenting and evaluating the impact of Thurrock

Trailblazer.

The role will entail:

•   Auditing the planned curriculum, experienced by pupils in school, to identify the breadth and depth of cultural learning available and whether access is fair

•   Consideration of progression and opportunities to gain accreditation. •   Analysis of findings and the gathering of the professional views of

colleagues to help reflect on pupils’ needs and prioritise an area of cultural learning for development through Thurrock Trailblazer.

•   Identify teaching groups and colleagues who will have deep involvement and ownership of creative sessions that address identified areas for development.

•   Be the main point of contact, and project manage all activity including budgeting, scheduling, safe-guarding, quality assurance, evaluating of impact and sharing of learning (digital and otherwise).

•   Participate in the disseminating of learning arising from participating in this initiative.

•   Champion changes that may need to be made for this work to be sustainable.

       

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How much time needs to be allocated for Cultural Champion responsibilities?

•   Attendance at Cultural Champion afternoons and twilights across the academic year – please see Save the Date section on page 11. In these, Cultural Champions will participate in a leadership development programme with Cultural Champions from other Thurrock schools.

•   Artsmark Statement of Commitment and Case Study Workshops as applicable (this may be delegated to another colleague).

•   On average, two hours per week to complete Trailblazer-related administrative tasks.

•   Time spent on project specific CPD, confirmed in the school’s programme selection, where selected. The experience will be supported by the dedicated Trailblazer delivery team, who will offer leadership, advice and guidance. A Deputy Cultural Champion should be available in case of unavoidable absence to share responsibility and workload. (2) Cultural Governor Info The role that governance plays in ensuring that every child receives the best possible education has never been more important. Governors and trustees are there to set the school’s vision, ethos and strategic direction. They are also expected to hold the Headteacher to account for the performance of teachers and pupils, and to ensure that public money is well spent. The role of the Cultural Governor is to support... and challenge... your school to make the most of the Thurrock Trailblazer programme.

       

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(3) Artsmark Thurrock Trailblazer has been carefully aligned to Arts Council England's Artsmark Award. All Thurrock Trailblazer schools are encouraged to pursue an Artsmark journey, allowing the programme's achievements to be recognized by Arts Council England, the Department for Education and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Signing up for Artsmark demonstrates that a school has a strong commitment to the arts in its curriculum and strives for excellence in its arts teaching and opportunities open to students, making the arts come alive.

‘Working with such reputable, leading professionals in the field of arts and culture who aim to inspire, support and develop the learning and creativity of people of all ages and to enrich the cultural life of the local community in Thurrock, helps us to underpin our core values as a school. The inspirational and aspirational nature of the ethos of the Royal Opera House, are intrinsically linked to our School Improvement Plan and the values and ethos of our school in empowering young women by offering them opportunities and the experience of working with professionals in a professional setting.’

Lucie Burrow, Assistant Headteacher (Behaviour, Inclusion & Access) at Grays Convent School

(4) Arts Award Arts Award covers a range of unique qualifications that support anyone up to 25 years old to grow as artists and arts leaders. It does this by inspiring them to connect with, and take part in, the wider arts world through taking challenges in an art form - from fashion to film-making, pottery to poetry. Through Arts Award young people gain a nationally recognized qualification enabling them to progress into further education and employment. Arts

       

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Award has five levels, four of which (Explore, Bronze, Silver, Gold) are on the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF). Arts Award Discover is an introductory award. At all levels, children and young people work with an Arts Award adviser. This is a trained adult who supports young people in gaining arts experiences, provides guidance and assesses arts logs and portfolios. Teachers, teaching assistants, museum learning staff, art practitioners, youth workers and volunteers can all train as advisers. There are no entry requirements, no time limit for completing the award and no set rules on how to present final work. Young people just need to be aged 25 or under and ready to explore new creative experiences. As they work towards Arts Award, children and young people collect evidence of what they have done and reflect on their experiences. At Discover, Explore and Bronze they can choose to use the specially designed Trailblazer Arts Award booklets – or you can create your own to fit your project or the young people you’re working with. Evidence can also be collected in any format that works for them and you: a folder, sketchbook, video diary, a website or blog that is open and flexible to all abilities. Each school involved in Thurrock Trailblazer will be encouraged to provide the opportunity for at least one member of staff to become an Arts Award Advisor, which will include the Arts Award toolkit and specially designed Thurrock Trailblazer resources. If choosing to take part in Arts Award, schools will be expected to pay for the moderation. A class of 30 would cost: Discover - £2.75 per pupil/ Explore - £10 per pupil. Bronze - £20 per pupil. The more children you put through Arts Award, the more the cost decreases per pupil.

       

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Save the dates

These sessions are an essential part of the Thurrock Trailblazer programme. If exceptional circumstances should ever prevent you from attending a Cultural Champion event please be sure to send your deputy, as nominated in your application. Summer Term: Application Timeline 2018 Application Process & Cultural Catalogue is launched online: Monday 16 April Deadline for Applications & Programme Selection: Thursday 24 May Thurrock Trailblazer 2018/19 Programme Confirmation: Thursday 5 July Autumn Term 2018 Cultural Champion Introduction: 18/19 Wednesday 12

September 2018, 1.30 – 5.30pm High House Production Park, Purfleet

Cultural Champion Twilight: Evaluation and Reflective Practice Wednesday 10 October 2018, 4.00 – 6.00pm High House Production Park, Purfleet Cultural Champion Twilight: Leadership Development Day 1 Thursday 15 November 2018, 4.00 – 6.00pm High House Production Park, Purfleet Spring Term 2019 Cultural Champion Twilight: Leadership Development 2 Monday 21 January 2019, 4.00 – 6.00pm High House Production Park, Purfleet Cultural Champion Twilight: Leadership Development 3 Wednesday 27 March 2019, 4.00 – 6.00pm High House Production Park, Purfleet Leadership Conference for Headteachers, SLT and Governors TBC in February/ March 2019 High House Production Park, Purfleet

       

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Summer Term 2019 Cultural Champion Twilight: Leadership Development 4 Monday 13 May 2019, 4.00 – 6.00pm High House Production Park, Purfleet Cultural Champion Celebration and Evaluation Wednesday 3 July 2019, 4.00 – 6.00pm High House Production Park, Purfleet

Contact We welcome the opportunity to meet with you at school, to discuss the Thurrock Trailblazer programme in more detail and to help you complete your application form and choose your projects. To arrange a meeting, please contact: Telephone: 01708 891 200 Email: thurrock.trailblazer@roh.org.uk