Cotswolds Arts Through Schools (‘CATS’) works in partnership with professional artists, musicians and local arts organisations to deliver and develop the teaching of art, music, drama, dance, and oracy within local state schools.

What is CATS doing? Since our launch in 2023, CATS has:

  • Reached 60+ schools, expanding from just 20 in its first year
  • Engaged over 10,000 children in creative learning
  • Delivered 60+ different artist-led workshops in painting, sculpture, printing and design
  • Supported whole-school projects including murals, mosaics, and installations
  • Equipped schools with musical instruments
  • Placed music teachers in schools for weekly singing sessions
  • Organised opera workshops with Oxford Opera
  • Enabled choir performances
  • Supported dance in schools through The Royal Ballet School’s Primary Steps programme
  • Delivered drama workshops with The Theatre, Chipping Norton
  • Introduced African drumming and dance workshops
  • Launched Cultural History sessions with The Guild of Arts Scholars
  • Embedded oracy development in drama and opera, supported by the English Speaking Board
  • Provided teacher training (CPD) in 30+ schools
  • Restocked art cupboards, funded specialist materials, and covered transport costs so children could attend exhibitions and performances
  • Supported 34 schools to exhibit at Sculpture at Kingham Lodge 2025, attended by over 4,000 children

The journey so far…

Cotswolds Arts Through Schools (CATS) grew out of the Sculpture at Kingham Lodge biennial exhibition (2011–2025).

In 2021, six local schools took part with the support of professional artists, which highlighted how limited arts provision had become in state schools.

A survey of 30 schools in 2023 confirmed the urgent need for:

  • Restocking of basic art materials
  • Training and support for teachers to deliver arts confidently in the curriculum
  • Access to professional artists, musicians, and performers to inspire children
  • Opportunities for whole-school creative projects and cultural experiences

In 2023 Sculpture at Kingham Lodge got together with other arts organisations like the Longborough Festival Opera and The Theatre, Chipping Norton who were also starting outreach to schools and together we approached other arts organisations and schools – and CATS was born.

 

Mission Statement – our purpose

Our mission is to inspire, enthuse and assist children in exploring their creative talents by delivering and developing the teaching of art, music, drama, dance and oracy in state schools. For those purposes we will help to provide art materials, musical instruments, professionally led art, music and drama workshops, dance and oracy support, and teacher training to support schools in the Cotswolds to create arts-rich learning environments.

 

Vision – our aspirations

Cotswolds Arts Through Schools aims to address the significant gaps in state arts education. We want every child in our region to have the opportunity to explore and develop their full creative potential. Our aims are to:

  • Increase the range of arts activities offered in Cotswolds State schools by using professional artists, musicians, dancers and actors.
  • Utilise existing programmes developed by the Royal Ballet School and English-Speaking Board within our network of schools.
  • Inspire children to develop their creative potential, foster creativity, promote and boost their self-confidence and teamwork, improve their mental & emotional health and overall well-being through exposure to the arts.
  • Help improve school attendance and academic attainment through the enthusiasm and self-confidence engendered by wider exposure to the arts

Our overarching aims are:

  • Foster creativity, boost children’s self-confidence, and improve their mental health and overall well-being through exposure to the arts.
  • Increase the range of arts activities offered using professional artists, musicians, and actors.
  • Use existing programmes developed by the Royal Ballet School and English-Speaking Board within our network of schools.

 

Our Values – how we operate

We believe participation in Culture and the Arts is a human right (Article 27 of the Universal Declaration of Human rights)

Cotswolds Arts Through Schools is a partnership of local arts organisations, schools, and practitioners working together to:

  • Include everyone
  • Focus on the quality of the experience
  • Recognise, celebrate and promote individual achievements
  • Always encourage, never dictate
  • Work with professionalism in all we do

We collaborate, fundraise and advocate to ensure every child has the opportunity to experience high-quality arts and cultural learning.

 

Our Commitment…

CATS is committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Safeguarding, and Child Protection, ensuring that every child can learn and create in a safe, supportive environment.
You can find & read our policies here.

What’s next…?

Funding is required to ensure that all schools involved receive the programme scheduled for the next two years during which time CATS will become a registered CIO with a separate board of trustees and constitution.

CATS considers itself as complementary to and learning from, other established arts programs. These include the Music for Schools Foundation, Music in Secondary Schools (mostly in London), Get into Theatre, and other nationwide initiatives.

Find out how you can support us in our work