Schools

Since launching in 2023, Cotswolds Arts Through Schools has grown from working with 20 schools in its first year to engaging with 60+ schools across the region.
Together, we’ve reached more than 10,000 children and delivered over 60 different types of artist-led workshops and lessons, promoting an arts rich environment in classrooms across the Cotswolds.

Schools

The Cotswolds is often seen as one of the UK’s most affluent regions. Yet behind the postcard image of honey-stone villages lies a different reality. Many of the communities we serve are small, rural and isolated. Public transport is limited, school budgets are stretched, and in some villages more than one in ten children grow up in poverty. Families often struggle to afford even basic art materials, let alone music lessons or cultural activities outside school.

This mix of visible affluence and hidden deprivation means rural and small-town inequality is frequently overlooked. The impact on children is real: without access to the arts, they miss out on opportunities to explore creativity, build confidence and experience the wider world.

Cotswolds Arts Through Schools is working to change this – ensuring that every child, no matter where they live, can thrive in an arts-rich environment. We partner with local primary schools to bring high-quality arts experiences into classrooms, helping teachers and pupils to explore creativity, develop skills and discover the joy that the arts can bring.

Through partnerships with professional artists, musicians, dancers and cultural organisations, we deliver creative workshops, teacher training and collaborative projects that enrich the curriculum. These experiences nurture imagination, confidence and curiosity – helping children to see themselves as artists, performers and creators.

ART

Our partner schools have access to quality art materials, and many have collaborated with professional artists to create joint artworks now displayed in schools and local galleries. Each school receives creative workshops that encourage children to explore techniques such as drawing, painting, and sculpture – generating joy, curiosity, and confidence. Teachers are supported with ongoing classroom resources and training, ensuring that artistic skills and creative thinking are developed throughout the year.

SINGING

Professional musicians and singers work alongside children to bring live performance into schools, helping to build confidence, teamwork and expression through music. We also provide opportunities for teachers to develop their own skills so that singing becomes a regular and joyful part of school life.

MUSIC

Through the introduction of classroom instruments and simple music-making activities, children experience the building blocks of rhythm, melody and composition. Our support helps schools develop inclusive, accessible music programmes and connect pupils with opportunities to interact with instruments, perform and celebrate their achievements.

DANCE

In partnership with local and national dance organisations such as Royal Ballet School’s ‘Primary Steps’ programme, we bring dance into schools to deliver creative movement sessions. These workshops help children develop coordination, confidence and collaboration – and demonstrate that dance is for everyone.

SCULPTURE

Pupils have the chance to explore three-dimensional art through hands-on workshops and projects linked to professional exhibitions. By engaging directly with artists and artworks, children gain a deeper understanding of materials, design and the stories behind the art they see. Every other year the schools we partner with have the opportunity to create an artwork for display at Sculpture at Kingham Lodge (as seen below).

With your support, we can continue to enrich children’s education, nurture imagination, and help every child experience the transformative power of the arts. We can expand children’s love for the arts and unlock a future generation’s creative potential.

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Alphabetical list of the Primary schools we work with, as of Oct 2025

Acorns Primary, Long Compton

Andoversford

Bishop Loveday, Banbury

Bladon

Bledington

Blockley CE Primary

Bloxham

Bourton-on-the-Water

Brailes CE Primary

Burford Primary School

Chadlington

Charlbury

Chesterton Primary

Cirencester Primary School

Cold Aston (linked to Swell)

Combe CE Primary

Dr Radcliffe’s (Steeple Aston)

Ducklington

Enstone

Frank Wise

Great Rollright

Great Tew

Gretton Primary

Hailey CE Primary School

Hanwell Fields Community Primary, Banbury

Harriers Banbury Academy

Hill View, Banbury

Holy Trinity (Chipping Norton)

Hook Norton

Isbourne Valley School (Toddington)

Kingham

Longborough

Longford Park Primary

Mickleton Primary

Middle Barton

North Kidlington Primary

Orchard Fields Community School

Paternoster School

Sandwell Learning Centre

Sibford Gower Endowed Primary

Siddington CE Primary

St Christopher’s CE Primary, Langford

St David’s, Moreton-in-Marsh

St James & Ebrington (Federation)

St John’s Catholic Primary

St Mary’s, Chipping Norton

Stonesfield Primary

Stow-on-the-Wold

Swell (linked to Cold Aston)

Temple Guiting CE School

The Mulberry Bush School

The Rissington School (Upper & Lower)

Watermoor CE Primary

West Witney Primary

Willersey CE Primary

William Fletcher Primary

William Morris Primary

Windrush Valley (Ascott)

Witney Community Primary

Woodstock CE Primary

Wychwood CE Primary

For a detailed key of each school, click the button to the top left of the map.