April 2024 | Cotswolds Arts Through Schools

Interview with the Labour Leader on importance of Arts in Primary Schools

Article published on 4 April 2024

Kier Starmer was a talented teenage flautist and could become our most musical Prime Minister since Edward Heath. He tells The Times why he’d have Beethoven in his cabinet. He doesn’t play [the flute] any more – there are too many other things in his life. When Starmer listens to…

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Beautiful Willow Butterflies by pupils at Bladon primary school #cotswoldsartsthroughschools #letsgetartintoschools #makespaceforthearts #butterflies #willowworkshop 🦋

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Beautiful Willow Butterflies by pupils at Bladon primary school #cotswoldsartsthroughschools #letsgetartintoschools #makespaceforthearts #butterflies #willowworkshop 🦋

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“I'm an Artist!”

At the 2023 Sculpture at Kingham Lodge exhibition, a young pupil from Kingham Primary School came with his parents to see a sculpture he had helped create.

He had already visited with his school, but this time was different. This time, he was bringing his family to see *his* work on display.

At the entrance, he was asked whether he had helped make one of the sculptures. He gave a shy nod.

“Which school are you from?”

“Kingham.”

“And what did you make?”

“A bee.”

“Well then, you must be one of our exhibiting artists! What an honour to meet you!”

His hand was shaken, and he was welcomed not simply as a visitor, but as an artist whose work was part of a professional exhibition.

**He stood a little taller. His face lit up.**

For the next two weeks, he proudly told his parents every day: “I'm an artist!”

And he was.

Across the schools taking part, teachers have reported a remarkable increase in children's enthusiasm for art. Seeing their own creations displayed alongside the work of professional sculptors has given them something far more valuable than a day out: **pride, confidence and the belief that their creativity matters.**

Sometimes, all it takes to change how a child sees themselves is for someone else to see their potential first.

Kingham School
“Art Made Everything Possible”

In the aftermath of the pandemic, one primary school faced an extraordinary challenge.

A young teacher, overwhelmed by her new Reception class of four- and five-year-olds, felt unable to cope. Many of the children had missed out on vital early opportunities to play, socialise and learn alongside others during lockdown.

An experienced teacher was brought in to help. She described children who struggled to communicate, couldn't sit together, and expressed their frustration through biting, kicking and disruptive behaviour.

Rather than beginning with traditional lessons, she turned to the school's art cupboard, freshly stocked with materials provided by Sculpture at Kingham Lodge.

For the first few weeks, art became the heart of the classroom.

The children began expressing feelings they couldn't yet put into words. As they painted, drew and created, something remarkable happened.

They started talking. They began listening. They learnt to sit together, share materials and work alongside one another.

Gradually, a classroom that had seemed impossible to manage became a place where children could connect, communicate and learn.

Reflecting on the transformation, the teacher said simply:

“It was art that made everything possible.”

Sometimes, before a child is ready to learn, they need the freedom to express themselves. And sometimes, something as simple as a well-stocked art cupboard can make all the difference.

School Teacher
“The Day He Wanted to Go to School

After the pandemic, one young boy found the thought of going to school overwhelming. Anxious and nervous, he struggled to attend at all.

But there was one day he looked forward to.

Drama day.

Each week, his school day began with a drama workshop, something he genuinely loved. For the first time, he had a reason to want to walk through the school gates.

And once he was there, he stayed.

Not just for drama, but for the rest of the day's lessons too.

What began as a love of drama became a doorway back into education.

For this child, the arts weren't simply an enjoyable addition to the school day. They were the reason he came to school at all.
The first two weeks of art club have gone really well. The kids love it! They don’t want to leave. In fact, we got told off by the Head yesterday for over running by 5 mins and they all did a big ohhhwww at the end!

Emma Cox

Cotswolds Arts Through Schools Artist & Workshop Leader
Working with CATs has been an inspiring experience for our school. Last year, pupils took part in two exciting projects: collaborating with Oxford Brookes University students on a variety of mini art activities including making paper birds, fabric butterflies and small clay animals, and working with two local artists to create a large-scale moon sculpture for public display. These opportunities helped to develop the children's skills in drawing, sculpture, and creativity while also supporting their wellbeing, giving them space to express themselves, work collaboratively, and build confidence. The opportunities provided by CATs have enriched our pupils' artistic and cultural experiences in ways that would otherwise be very difficult to achieve in a small school with a limited budget.

Mrs Alison James

Stow on the Wold Primary School
Just wanted to say thank you for sending all these lovely opportunities our way. We have a Chippy panto workshop and a Christmas art day booked and we are talking to Oxford Opera about a Spring production. All such lovely things which we wouldn't have otherwise.

Great Rollright Primary Oct
Bledington School is very lucky to have worked with CATS since its inception. As a school, we truly value CATS’s outreach programme, as it allows all our children to benefit from an enriching arts experience. Over the years, our pupils have enjoyed many different workshops, delivered by expert artists. Our pupils are introduced to different media and techniques and are always delighted with the quality of the work they produce with the CATS artists.
As a staff, we are supported not only by the visiting artists but also by CPD opportunities. This enables our teachers to continue to deliver art lessons to our children with confidence and enthusiasm.
CATS have also generously provided class sets of musical instruments, art supplies and access to an online art scheme. At a time of severe funding difficulties for schools, this support is invaluable and allows our children to still benefit from the well-documented benefits of an arts-rich curriculum.
A highlight of our work with CATS is creating an exhibit for the biennial sculpture exhibition at Kingham Lodge. CATS also provide transport to allow our children to see their creation in situ. The experience of working closely with an artist to create a piece of work that, in turn, is displayed to the public in a professional exhibition, is highly valued by both children and staff.

Bledington Primary School
We were fortunate to receive a music specialist in our school this September, and the impact of this work has been truly remarkable. The specialist has brought not only exceptional expertise but also lifted the spirits of everyone in our community. Thursdays have become a day of joy and excitement across the school.
Our school events have improved significantly—one parent recently commented on how much better the singing concert was compared to last year. This is a testament to the quality and enthusiasm the specialist has brought.

Mrs Kim Rogers

Stonesfield Primary School
We are incredibly grateful for the partnership we've built with CATS. Their involvement has truly enriched our provision, offering our children opportunities that go far beyond the standard curriculum.
Through their creative workshops, pupils have explored a wide range of materials, techniques, and artistic styles—often for the first time. The sessions are inclusive, inspiring, and expertly led, fostering confidence, imagination, and self-expression in every child. We've seen children who are often quiet in the classroom come alive through these art protects.

St-David's Primary School
The workshops were thoroughly enjoyed by all of our pupils right from Nursery up to Year 6. It was wonderful how the activity was adapted for the different ages and meant that all children were motivated and engaged. The overwhelming feedback from the children was saying how much fun it was. They enjoyed being creative and having so much autonomy over their choice of stone, colours and design.

Kirtlington CE Primary School
We have had a fantastic morning celebrating the culmination of Shannon, Tobias and Stephs work with our year 3/4 over the last half term . The showcase was truly inspiring and the audience left on a high as did the performers ! Thank you for making this possible!

St Marys Primary School, Chipping Norton
I just wanted to say a big thank you for all the hard work that went into planning, resourcing and delivering the art workshops today. We really appreciate you running the workshops and they continue to be a firm favourite with the children and staff.

Wychwood Primary School
Our Year 5 children absolutely loved this workshop and it especially engaged some of our boys who don’t often enjoy their art lessons. Children were asking their teachers to carry on with their drawings in the afternoon!

Hanwell Fields Community School
It was lovely to combine History and Art together. Children were very inquisitive and the information cards also added some hidden reading as they were keen to find out about their chosen items.

Bishop Loveday CE Primary School
All of the children were able to access the workshops – they really enjoyed testing out the materials first as most had not used charcoal before. Across the school, I could see how they had then applied these techniques into their own work. Both leaders were excellent with the children – helpful and supportive – and the children loved seeing examples of their work using charcoal as inspiration.

Burford Primary School
"If you think you're too small to make a difference then you've never spent the night with a mosquito"

African proverb

Archive April 2024

Interview with the Labour Leader on importance of Arts in Primary Schools