Our Future City worked in partnership with SoundCity and Connected Schools to provide the 6th annual Joint Practice Development Day. The day presented a range of practical workshops, opportunities to network and the space to share ideas and practice with colleagues from Brighton & Hove, across arts and cultural subjects. A wide range of colleagues from across the City and beyond attended the event, including Arts teachers from local authority schools (across Music, Drama and Visual Arts), academies, Our Future City and SoundCity partners, arts organisations, instrumental Higher Education representatives, freelancers, and other colleagues involved in arts and cultural education in Brighton and Hove. The opening session gathered all attendees, and heard from Richard Russell (Chief Operating Officer of Arts Council England) as he spoke about the national picture on Local Cultural Education Partnerships. The keynote was delivered by Paul Roberts OBE, who gave a challenge to all attendees which was developed as a facilitated discussion after his speech. Workshops and afternoon sessions were spent in subject-specific activities led by Our Future City, SoundCity partners, guest leaders and speakers. Photographs of the day are now available on the website, together with reflections from attendees.
Over 175 colleagues were in attendance at the event, from primary, secondary and special schools; higher education representatives; music, drama and arts teachers; PGCE students; and representatives from music/arts/cultural organisation and freelancers.
Some quotes from Attendees:
‘Thought provoking, useful and inspiring'
‘Diverse and current'
‘Wide range of context’
The event was good because… 'Optimistic/enthusiastic/styles of presenters/problem solving’
‘Varied, open minded and inspiring'
‘The key ideas I will take from today will be to keep lessons focused on student creativity and imagination'
‘Collective, explorative’
‘The workshops encourage experimentation and the safe space to try new things'
In my own setting I will… ‘try and teach to let the children's imaginations show more!’
‘The event was good because of networking and discussion’
‘Energetic, collegiate and collaborative’
74% of attendees felt that the event gave them new ideas and tools to build into their practice, either ‘completely’ or ‘well’
76% of attendees felt that the event assisted them to network and make new contacts, either ‘completely’ or ‘well’
76% of attendees left the event feeling ‘completely’ or ‘well’ inspired
