It's time to shape your school's journey in culture and the arts...
Leading the Arts in Your School is a modular arts leadership programme for teachers who wish to develop their school’s arts and cultural offer.
With sessions from January - June 2025, this course has been designed for early to mid-career teaching staff - in any education setting or phase.
We're looking for educators who understand and are excited by the potential of arts-based pedagogy, with ambition and drive to use the arts and culture to make a significant improvement across their whole school.
However you currently use creativity within your teaching practice, this is a chance to reinvigorate your methodologies, to learn and share best practice whilst developing your skills and confidence in becoming an arts leader. You’ll leave this course ready to advocate for the importance of the arts within learning environments, and to empower others in your school to do the same.
"A complete education is a creative education."
As the upcoming Curriculum Review looks to put Expressive Arts subjects such as music, art and drama back at the heart of learning, this is an opportunity to stay ahead of curriculum changes and have the skills to implement them effectively.
Who is this training for?
We're looking for educators who want to cultivate culture, creativity and curiosity in their students. You might already use creativity within your teaching practice, or you might have been given an arts-based responsibility that you need support and inspiration fulfilling.
We welcome early to mid-career teaching professionals across all educational settings, whether Nursery, Primary or Secondary, including SEND and PRU. No prior experience being a school arts lead is necessary.
The course is a particularly useful development opportunity for schools that are considering or undertaking the Artsmark Award, or for a recently appointed Artsmark Lead. It will also resonate with schools that are running or interested in offering Arts Award. Leading the Arts supports and builds on the ethos and values of both of these programmes.
We welcome early to mid-career teaching professionals across all educational settings, whether Nursery, Primary or Secondary, including SEND and PRU. No prior experience being a school arts lead is necessary.
The course is a particularly useful development opportunity for schools that are considering or undertaking the Artsmark Award, or for a recently appointed Artsmark Lead. It will also resonate with schools that are running or interested in offering Arts Award. Leading the Arts supports and builds on the ethos and values of both of these programmes.
Diversity and Representation:
We have observed from our time leading this course that there is a lack of teachers of colour within arts leadership in schools. We are committed to addressing this imbalance and strongly encourage teachers from the global majority to apply for this opportunity.
Thinking of joining us?
We believe that Leading the Arts will be useful to all sorts of teachers. We’ve outlined some examples of teacher profiles to showcase the breadth of educators we have designed this course for.
Perhaps you are a:
Perhaps you are a:
Thinking about applying but have questions? Get in touch and lets discuss!
What this course will cover...
“It's allowed me to approach SLT with a completely different mindset, and ... the empowerment and knowledge to go and really focus on arts within our school.”
“I know my role ... I am now confident to make an impact and a difference.”
What's the commitment and how do I apply?
This course is delivered through a combination of in-person and online learning – a blended model specifically designed to increase accessibility and offer flexibility for busy teachers.
Each September we open the course to applications, for delivery across the remainder of the academic year. Successful applicants are inducted in January and will study until July.
There are three face-to-face workshops and four live Zoom sessions to attend, plus additional learning and tasks to be completed in your own time.
Each September we open the course to applications, for delivery across the remainder of the academic year. Successful applicants are inducted in January and will study until July.
There are three face-to-face workshops and four live Zoom sessions to attend, plus additional learning and tasks to be completed in your own time.
Dates and Times
- Induction - 15 January 2025, 13:00-15:00 (via Zoom)
- Module 1 Meeting - 23 January 2025, 09:15-16:15 (in person, Liverpool)
- Children & Young People's Voice Themed Session - 6 February 2025, 13:00-15:00 (via Zoom)
- Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Themed Session - 5 March 2025, 13:00-15:00 (via Zoom)
- Module 2 Meeting - 20 March 2025, 09:15-16:15 (in person, Contact Manchester)
- Meet the Organisations Themed Session - 30 April 2025, 13:00-15:00 (via Zoom)
- Careers & Employability Themed Session - 11 June 2025, 13:00-15:00 (via Zoom)
- Module 3 Meeting - 26 June 2025, 09:15-16:15 (in person, The Storey Lancaster)
Apply for Leading the Arts in the 2024-25 academic year
Curious Minds will be running Leading the Arts in Your School in the 2024-25 academic year. This year, with the support of Arts Council England, we are delighted to be extending our offer to welcome delegates from across the North of England.
The cost of the course is heavily subsidisedat £835 per delegate. Payment details will be required before your place can be confirmed.
The deadline for applications: 5pm on 18th November 2024.
Want to read the application questions before applying? You can find them and some guidance here.
Please note:
As part of our commitment to diversity, we are focusing our energy on making sure our opportunities and offers reach far and wide. We are particularly keen to welcome applicants for this course from people who are currently under-represented in the arts and culture sector. You can find more information about who is under-represented on Arts Council England's website.
