A YEAR OF CREATIVITY – Looking Back at an Incredible 2025–2026 Academic Year

Article published on 17 August 2026

Dear Friends,

Whilst you are all enjoying the summer (even if we are all in desperate need of some rain!), we wanted to take a moment to say thank you.

Thank you to every headteacher who welcomed us through your doors last academic year. Thank you to every teacher and teaching assistant who embraced the creative mess, encouraged experimentation and celebrated every child’s unique ideas. And thank you to our wonderful artists, musicians and performers who continue to inspire thousands of children across our region.

Most importantly, thank you to the children – who have grown in confidence, flourished in curiosity and come alive with creativity in classrooms across Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Warwickshire and beyond.

Some children discovered a talent they never knew they had. Others found the confidence to sing, dance, paint or perform for the very first time. We’ve seen schools transformed by shared creative experiences and children proudly taking home work they never imagined they could create.

As we look ahead to another exciting year, we’d love to share just a few of the moments that made 2025–26 so special.

The brilliant Jennie Grierson at Charlbury Primary School.

What a year!

Over the last academic year, CATS worked with more than 70 primary schools, reaching over 13,000 children.

Children painted, drew, sculpted, sang, danced, performed, made music and discovered entirely new ways to express themselves.

Opera came to life through our work with Oxford Opera, Longborough Festival Opera and the wonderfully named Academy of Barmy Composers. Thousands of children had the opportunity not simply to experience opera and live music, but to sing, move, perform and become part of it themselves.

Professional artists filled classrooms with creativity, delivering whole-school workshops in drawing, painting, sculpture, mask-making, collaborative installations and much more. Alongside this, we supported and trained teachers so that the ideas, techniques and confidence gained through a CATS workshop could continue long after the artist had left.

Music continued to grow, from singing and learning instruments to longer-term specialist music provision in schools. We’re seeing how sustained professional support can help create a whole musical culture – building confidence not only in children, but in the teachers who continue that work every day.

Our African dance and drumming programme brought rhythm, movement and huge amounts of energy into schools. One of the unexpected joys has been seeing children who sometimes find conventional classroom learning more difficult discover confidence, leadership and a completely different way to shine.

We’ve also continued to broaden children’s creative horizons. Textiles have joined the CATS programme, with film and photography among the areas we’re developing next. And through our partnership with Oxford Brookes University and Art in Schools, we’re exploring new ways of surrounding children with great art as part of their everyday school lives.

Beyond the classroom, we’ve helped children experience theatres, concerts, galleries and cultural venues, as well as supporting schools with materials, equipment, instruments and opportunities they simply wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford.

And this really is just a snapshot.

None of it happens without the generosity, enthusiasm and belief of our schools, artists, partners, funders and supporters.

Thank you for helping us give thousands of children the chance to discover something they love – and perhaps something they never knew they could do.

And we’re only just getting started…

At Burford Primary School (above), pupils worked alongside CATS artists to create their fantastic dragon – a wonderful collaborative project that even caught the attention of BBC News! The children helped bring the enormous creation to life, showing just what can happen when imagination, teamwork and professional artistic support come together.

The Moments That Matter While workshops may only last a morning or an afternoon, the impact often lasts much longer. These are just a few memories from the incredible artists and musicians / music teachers who have spent the year working in our schools…

Emma Cox https://www.emmacoxart.com “More often than not, the most meaningful moments happen with children who don’t always participate in regular lessons. Sometimes I’ll be watching a child completely engrossed in what they’re creating before a teacher quietly tells me that it’s extremely unusual for them to sit and engage for so long. They’re creating entirely from their own imagination—no templates, nothing to copy—just a paintbrush, some inks and permission to experiment. Seeing children completely absorbed in what they’re making is what it’s all about.”

Julia Sorrell https://juliasorrell.com During an assembly at Bloxham Primary School, Julia was sharing her journey as an artist. This was followed by questions, and a little boy asked: “Why is there no painting for 2026?” “Oh yes, you are right- how silly of me,” I replied. “Are  you still painting?” “Yes,” I replied. “How old are you?” “Nearly 71,” I  replied. “Um,” he says, then waits and thinking deeply; “Will you be painting  in 2027?” “Yes, I hope so,” I said laughing and then adding: “of course the  advantage of being an artist is you never have to retire and there is something new you can do like coming and talking to all of you which I was not doing last year.” Children often ask the most thoughtful questions—and remind us that creativity really can last a lifetime.

Tobias Stürmer https://www.rhythmsforresilience.co.uk/ From Moonwalking like Michael Jackson to Viking rowing chants with drums, Tobias brought music, movement and laughter into classrooms. One moment stood out above all others. Two weeks after teaching a welcome song, one child simply began singing it. Within seconds, the whole class had joined in. As Tobias said: “Priceless.”

Gill Bray CATS Schools Outreach Coordinator https://www.instagram.com/hangingheart9/ One comment overheard during a painted tile workshop perfectly summed up why CATS exists. A child turned to her friend and said: “I’m going to ask my mum to get me some tiles.” Sometimes the greatest success isn’t what happens during a workshop. It’s what children want to create afterwards.

Abigail Boisot https://www.abigailboisot.com/ Children often surprise themselves. One proudly announced: “This is the best piece of artwork I’ve ever done—and I’m usually rubbish at art!” At another school: “When are you coming back? This has been so fun! I wish you could come every week!” Teachers noticed it too. At Banbury Harriers, staff commented that a lively Year 6 class had demonstrated the best listening they’d ever seen during a charcoal workshop. In another school, a pupil in the SEND department created a stunning dragonfly and was applauded by his classmates. Moments like these remind us that creativity builds confidence.

Cally Bond https://www.instagram.com/callybond_twintomatoesart/ Cally’s visit to William Fletcher Primary School left a lasting impression. She was struck not only by the children’s imagination, but by the teachers’ encouragement. Every child’s work was celebrated. No comparisons. No corrections. Simply recognition that every piece of artwork was unique.

KIDS GO CLASSICAL One of the highlights of the year was supporting Oxford Opera‘s Kids Go Classical! programme, helping hundreds of local children experience the excitement of performing in one of Oxford’s most iconic venues, the Sheldonian Theatre. After weeks of workshops and rehearsals in schools, 148 children took to the stage alongside the Oxford Chamber Orchestra and professional opera singers, performing much-loved operatic classics to a packed audience. For many, it was their first opportunity to sing in a professional concert and to experience the thrill of performing in such an historic setting. REVIEW HERE

What Our Schools Told Us The most rewarding part of our work is hearing directly from the schools we support. Their feedback reminds us why creativity matters and the lasting impact it has on children, teachers and whole school communities.

Why Creativity Matters Looking back across the year, one thing becomes clear. Our workshops aren’t really about paint. Or clay. Or charcoal. Or music. They’re about helping children discover confidence. Helping them find their voice. Helping them work together. Helping them realise they can create something wonderful. Whether through singing, storytelling, drama, dance or visual arts, every child deserves the opportunity to experience the joy of creativity. Beyond the Classroom Championing Creativity Across the Country While Cotswolds Arts Through Schools continues to deliver creative experiences directly in schools, we’re also working to influence the wider conversation around arts education. Throughout the year, our Trustee Christopher Stockwell, has written a series of thought-provoking articles on Substack exploring the challenges facing arts education, why creativity matters, and what every child deserves from their education. Drawing on national research, classroom experiences and the work of CATS, these articles have sparked conversations with teachers, artists, charities and education leaders across the country. Christopher’s writing reflects the same values that underpin everything we do at CATS: that creativity isn’t an optional extra – it’s an essential part of every child’s education. We’d love you to join the conversation. Follow Christopher’s Substack to receive future articles and updates, and to be part of the growing movement championing creativity in schools. Subscribe HERE or follow Christopher on LinkedIn HERE Help us keep creating❤️ Everything CATS provides to schools is made possible through fundraising and the generosity of people who believe, as we do, that every child deserves access to the arts. As we grow, so does the demand from schools – and the cost of providing artists, musicians, materials, instruments, workshops, trips and longer-term programmes. Every donation, however small, genuinely helps us do more. If you would like to support CATS, you can make a one-off donation or set up a regular gift. Even a few pounds can help us provide materials for a workshop, while larger gifts can help fund whole-school creative experiences or sustained music and arts programmes. And there is another very easy way to help us which doesn’t cost you anything at all. By signing up to EasyFundraising and choosing Cotswolds Arts Through Schools as your cause, participating retailers will make a donation to CATS whenever you shop with them online. So whether it’s a donation, signing up to EasyFundraising, sharing what we do with a friend, or simply continuing to champion the importance of the arts in schools – every bit of support helps us reach more children. THANK YOU FROM CHRISTOPHER, GENEVIEVE, GILL AND SHANNON AT CATS