Teachers brush up their practice

An innovative programme is bringing art teachers together to make a difference to the creative futures of tens of thousands of children.

Supported by the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art, the three-day residential course Plan, Prepare, Provide allows art teachers from schools across the UK to work together to develop their creative practice.

And now funding from TV executive Jane Featherstone (German and History 10 1991, Hon DLitt 2019) is enabling teachers to build on that learning while studying for a Postgraduate Certificate in Teachers Research and Practice.

Jane – the creative force behind dramas such as Spooks, Broadchurch and Chernobyl – was keen to support the next generation of creative young people. Her funding allows teachers to take an aspect of the course and research how they can tailor this to the context of their school, to best support young people in their classrooms. Projects include a new partnership between schools and cultural organisations in Sunderland to work on issues of sustainability.

The course is led by Abigail Harrison Moore, Professor of Art History and Museum Studies, who says: “By supporting teachers, we are also supporting thousands of young people they work with every day. The Jane Featherstone Fellowship Programme is giving more teachers the chance to think critically about their practice and how to encourage more young people to consider a future in the creative and cultural sectors.”