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 two cohorts running across 2026 /27 this course has been designed for early to mid-career teaching staff - in any education setting or phase.
This year, we’re excited to introduce a brand-new Creative Health module, exploring how arts and culture can play a vital role in supporting positive health and wellbeing within schools and communities.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.
Leading the Arts brings together a vibrant peer network of educators from diverse school settings —including different phases, SEN, and PRU—creating opportunities to share experiences, ideas, and best practices.
Cohort 1: Jan-June 2026
Cohort 2: Sept 2026 – March 2027
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."
Who is this training for?
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?
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.
There are three face-to-face workshops and five live Zoom sessions to attend, plus additional learning and tasks to be completed in your own time.
This year we are offering a choice of two cohorts:
Dates & Times
- Induction - Weds 14th January
- Module 1 - Thurs 22nd Jan (In person, Liverpool)
- CYP Voice - Thurs 5th Feb
- Creative Health Module - Weds 5th March
- Module 2 - Thurs 19th March (In person, Manchester)
- EDI - Weds 15th April
- Meet the orgs - Weds 29th April
- Careers & Employability - Thurs 11th June
- Module 3 - Thurs 25th June (In person, Lancaster)
- Induction - Weds 30th Sep
- Module 1 - Thurs 15th Oct
- CYP Voice - Weds 11th Nov
- Creative Health Module - Weds 25th Nov
- EDI - Thursday 7th Jan
- Module 2 - Thursday 21st Jan
- Meet the orgs - Wednesday 3rd Feb
- Careers & Employability - Thursday 25th Feb
- Module 3 - Thursday 25th Feb
Apply for Leading the Arts in the 2026-27 academic year
Curious Minds will be running Leading the Arts in Your School in the 2026-27 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 subsidised at £660 per delegate. Payment details will be required before your place can be confirmed.
Application Process & DeadlinesApplications will be assessed on a rolling basis, with places secured as they are received. We recommend applying early to avoid disappointment.
- The deadline for receipt of applications for Cohort 1 is: 13/10/25.
- The deadline for receipt of applications for Cohort 2 is: 08/06/26.
Want to read the application questions before applying? You can find them and some guidance here.
