Teacher Newsletter

IWCEP Teachers News: Sept 2021

Welcome to the Autumn edition of the newsletter from the Isle of Wight Cultural Education Partnership (IWCEP)

Pupils from Gurnard Primary School perform at the IWCEP Creative Curriculum Conference, Oct 2019


Hopefully you have all settled back into routine and are enjoying assemblies and wider gatherings to some extent. We all feel that we are not ‘out of the woods’ yet, but it certainly feels like a new term and new year.


For Teachers:

The Creative Biosphere

Wonderful news, this year with thanks to Arts Council England, and partners Isle of Wight Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Island Collection, the Isle of Wight Cultural Education Partnership will be launching an exciting menu of activities on the theme of the Creative Biosphere.

First and foremost is our Arts Council supported ‘Creative Biosphere’ project with 5 arts and heritage organisations, 5 artists and 5 schools. More details on this exciting project to follow!

The IWCEP will bring you a range of activities to complement this project. In fact your first opportunity can be found below, from the Isle of Wight Music Hub – Biosphere Big Sing!

And here is another, one that will enhance your school grounds – £500 worth of outdoor equipment from the Learning Through Landscapes Trust. Working with the IWCEP you can show sustainability of your project and community engagement. Just let us know if intend to apply so we can support your application – admin@iwcep.co.uk


Website and Newsletter News…

The IWCEP website will be having a makeover very soon. Thanks to some funding from the Museums and Schools Project, we will be able to signpost teachers very clearly to local creative resources developed especially for Island schools and teachers.
The Lift the Lid website was originally developed to inform people about the project, but as that ended in 2020 we wanted to update and clearly communicate ways that the CEP can help teachers and young people. Don’t forget that there is still an online archive of the project and the work created at Lift the Lid Notebooks.
This also means that we will have a dedicated email address and a new look newsletter coming straight to your inbox. Sign up.
If you would like to help us shape how we communicate with teachers on the Isle of Wight, please contact us: admin@iwcep.co.uk


Networking opportunity with the Island Collection

The next Island Collection newsletter is out now. You can sign up here. The IWCEP is a committee of The Island Collection CIO.

Did you know that the successful Hullabaloo event is coming to Sandown on 9th and 10th October? The Island Collection is hosting a networking event at 6pm on Sat 9 October at Brown’s Cafe, Sandown during Hullaballoo. Register your interest here. They are hoping to meet local teachers, artists, environmentalists…


Creativity Across the Curriculum Symposium for Secondary School Teachers 

Tuesday 5th October 2021, 16.00-17.30 Via Zoom 

This symposium is aimed at secondary school teachers, particularly those teaching STEM subjects, Heads of Arts Faculties, and Deputy Heads in charge of curriculum. Book here.

The session will cover the importance of cultural education and how it can be integrated across the curriculum, with a particular focus on STEM subjects. Organised by Articulation as part of its START Talking programme (funded by the Rothschild Foundation), and Milton Keynes and Buckingham Cultural Education Partnerships, this symposium aims to help schools re-evaluate the ways in which cultural education can be utilised to improve learning in and understanding of other subjects.  

Covering the following themes, the symposium will be an opportunity for secondary teachers to see how cultural education can give students the creative spark that will help them truly engage in their subject:  

  1. Thinking: art as a springboard for visual analysis and critical thinking
  2. Making: construction, structure, engineering etc.
  3. Meeting: science and art meets 

 Speakers include teachers and educators, young people, and STEAM practitioners.


The Shipwreck Centre is home to the Isle of Wight’s most extensive collection of Maritime Heritage. Our exhibits range from pre-history archaeological discoveries through to maritime conflicts. The Shipwreck Centre’s history and artefacts provide links to a wealth of curriculum topics.

We have a range of new workshops available from the study of Submarines to Museum Curating. Also our Bouldnor Cliff exhibit which enables students to have an up close look at 8,000 year old artefacts. The Shipwreck Centre has strong local connections as well as various international links.

Please contact Museum & Outreach Officer, Polly Buckingham – polly.buckingham@archealogoytrust.org or call 01983 533079


Crossing the Bar is a three year programme celebrating the new coastal footpath around the Isle of Wight which will be fully open in 2023 as part of a national celebration entitled ‘the Year of the English Coast’.

For the pilot year in 2021 six Island schools are working with the New Carnival Company, the IW Ramblers Association and local artists to plan walks taking in sections of the coastal footpath before designing and creating an creative response to that particular area. The young people will also make celebratory flags to carry as they undertake their walk as part of the IW Walking Festival.

All 13 Crossing the Bar walks will happen from 15-17th October. We would love to hear from any school wanting to take part in the project in 2022 which will focus on heritage sites around the coast. Full details of the project can be found on the NCC website.

Contact Frankie Goldspink at The New Carnival Company, frankie@thenewcarnivalcompany.com


IOW Music Hub has lots of projects to get involved with alongside their usual free CPD programme for teachers. Contact Nia Collins, Music Hub Relationship Manager, call 02380 833633 or 07790022559 or via email: nia.collins@iowmusichub.org 

Music Hub Live! (In-person workshops and events)

“Proud To Be…” digital content & songwriting workshops in schools KS2-KS5 : The theme for Black History month in 2021 is “Proud To Be…”  we will be using this theme to help young people to celebrate this throughout the Autumn term as a starting point for writing their own lyrics about what they are “Proud To Be…” Sign up HERE

Biosphere Big Sing KS1 & KS2 : Through a set of 10 new original songs and resources, suitable for different age ranges (Keys Stages 1 – 3) the project will focus on how pupils and residents can help to continue reinforcing the island’s strong tradition of environmental action and awareness whilst highlighting the island’s Unesco Biosphere Status Sign up via nia.collins@iowmusichub.org

Sign & Sing KS2 & KS3: A 60 minute workshop delving into the sign & sing back catalogue to get pupils singing again and provide some CPD for teachers in school Sign up HERE

Welsh National Opera Schools Concert KS2: Friday 5th November 12.30-13.30 Mayflower Theatre FREE ADMISSION numbers capped at 90 per school. To register your interest, please email Southampton Producer Jamie Harris at jamie.harris@wno.org.uk

Starling Songwriters Club KS4 & KS5 : Monthly first Wednesday of the month from October 2021 16.00 – 17.30 Carisbrooke Church Hall £8 per session. Learn to write songs and develop your style in a friendly environment including; using a range of songwriting techniques. For more information email nia.collins@iowmusichub.org

Music Hub Resource! (weekly digital content, CPD and one-off projects)

Access to these resources (for projects such as 10 Minute Sign & Sing, 5 Minute Rhythm & Rhyme) will be via a weekly email update to our schools mailing list.  If you were not on this mailing list last year and would like to be added then please do let me know nia.collins@southamptonmusichub.org


Training for Teachers from our local Bridge Organisation

Missed ‘Arts Rich Schools and how to become one’? Catch up online

After such a challenging year, Artswork’s final online teacher CPDL of 2020/21 was a positive, inspiring and practical event exploring how raising the profile of arts and creativity can energise teaching and learning for the whole school community. Over 60 teachers from around the region took part.  Reflections, presentations and recordings from the event are available online

Save the date: Artswork’s first online CPDL event of the new academic year is coming up on Tuesday 19th October 2021, 3pm – 5pm. More info to follow.

Inspiring case study: Thinking Creatively about Creativity

Jenny Stratton, Deputy Head at Westdene Primary School, in Brighton, has compiled a case study detailing how the school approached arts education during COVID-19. Read it on Artswork’s website

Check the training website for more. 

If you have any queries please email lorrainecheshire@artswork.org.uk


New Independent Arts Programme Supporting Students’ Mental Health 

As you know, children and young people on the Isle of Wight face unprecedented challenges to their mental health and wellbeing. 

From October, young people aged 13-30 will be able to take part in Independent Art’s Reconnect programme; a project using a range of creative techniques to address low-level mental health issues including anxiety, depression, and low self-confidence. The after-school creative sessions for 13-16 year-olds – ranging from journal-making and photography to drumming – will focus on mindfulness, sleep hygiene, movement and body positivity.

The 16-19 programme will support participants to work together creatively to produce, market and sell a product.

Please contact us if you have students who need this support. Telephone: 01983 822437. Email: info@independentarts.org.uk. Website http://www.independentarts.org.uk

And if you are working towards Artsmark, don’t forget that Independent Arts is an Artsmark Partner and can guide you through the process!


The Classic Boat Museum – East Cowes

The Classic Boat Museum galleries

The Classic Boat Museum is delighted to welcome teachers and students to both their sites. New displays can be enjoyed at both the Boat Shed in Cowes and the Gallery in East Cowes.

Through the Museums and Schools project, Estelle Baker gives workshops on ‘Safety at Sea’ and ‘Transport Through Time’. Going forward she is preparing self-guided tours and an introductory video. Spencer Brown has prepared learning materials for the Dinghy Simulator – ‘learn to sail without getting cold and wet’.
Please contact Jan Ford to book your visit or register your interest: jan@maritimeisle.org, or call 07747 602 707


Monkton Arts in Ryde

Monkton Arts is a Ryde-based arts-oriented cafe with 3 open studios, the Acons public exhibition gallery and the Sara-K Children’s Gallery. The Monkton Arts team regularly work with local primary and schools in Ryde to publicly display children’s artwork in the Sara K gallery, including GCSE and A-Level final exhibitions, arts competitions and various other projects. Monkton Arts also initiate various community-centred projects including Fifty Familiar Faces, Two Tidal Towns, Monkton Village Gallery and an annual island-wide arts competition. The Monkton team are inspired by the community for the community and seek to regenerate and rebuild (with plenty of coffee!).

Contact them: monktonarts@gmail.com


Blast Wall – FREE teacher resources

Successful Island artist, Lisa Traxler is currently showing her solo exhibition, ‘Blast Wall’ here on the Isle of Wight. To find inspirational resources for teachers based on her exhibition take a look at the Arts UK website.


For your pupils & school newsletters:

Below we have a number of exciting opportunities for you as teachers to introduce to your pupils or to pass on to your admin team for inclusion in your own school newsletters.


StoneCrabs Young Creatives – Islands That Shapes Us 2

Are you a young creative aged 16 – 26 on the Isle of Wight? Interested in working with film? 

You could be a director, writer, actor, producer or designer, so long as you’re interested in developing your skills and creating/leading a digital film artistic response. 

You must commit to:

  • attending weekly training/mentoring sessions (October 21 – Mar 2022); 
  • creating/producing a 5-10 minute short film;  
  • producing and promoting the final film festival
  • and making sure you are available for the final artistic exchange. 

For more information and to apply www.stonecrabs.co.uk/islands Deadline 5 October


That’s all for now folks!

News, Young Creatives

Festival Opportunity for Young Isle of Wight Film-makers

The Isle of Wight’s college of music, Platform One, and its newly established film agency, FilmWight, are thrilled to offer an opportunity for young IW film-makers aged 16 – 25.  

FilmWight are offering four bursaries for aspiring movie-makers.  This will involve shadowing the performers selected from Platform One’s ‘Wight Noize’ industry showcase during the build up to their performance on the Main Stage of the Isle of Wight Festival.

Under the mentorship of FilmWight’s Film Officer, Dave Russell, four lucky winners will document behind-the-scenes activity on the day of the Festival.   And the footage they produce will be showcased on both the Isle of Wight Festival and FilmWight websites; as well as being made available to the Wight Noize winners as publicity. 

Each selected film-maker will also win £250!  

Entrants must be aged between 16 – 25 and available on the day of the Festival performance: Sunday 19thSeptember 2021.  

Two cameramen, a sound recordist, and a film editor, are being sought.  

To enter, please send a link to short piece of film that you have produced to create@filmwight.com 

Full entrance details can be found on the FilmWight website: www.filmwight.com

Applications need to be received by Friday 20th August 2021.  All bursary winners will be notified by FilmWight / Platform One within two weeks of the application deadline.

Rules for Entrants

  1. Entrants must submit a link to a short piece of film (on any subject) that they have produced to create@filmwight.com by 5:00pm on Friday 20th August.
  • Entrants’ submissions must be accompanied by the entrant’s name, age, address and contact details (phone / email).
  • Entrants must denote which bursary they are interested in: camera, sound or digital editing.
  • Entrants must confirm that they are resident on the Isle of Wight and will be aged between 16 – 25  on Sunday 19th September 2021.
  • Entrants must confirm that they will be available on day of the shoot:  Sunday 19th September 2021 from 9:00am – 6:00pm.
  • Entrants must confirm that they will give permission for footage produced as part of the shoot to be used by Film Wight, Platform One, The Isle of Wight Festival and the winners of Platform One’s Wight Noize showcase for promotional purpose, 

FilmWight will confirm receipt of all entries by return e-mail.  

Bursary winners will be selected by representatives of FilmWight and Platform One and will notified of their competition success within two weeks of the application deadline. 

Following successful completion of the bursary activity, the successful entrants will each receive £250 to be paid into their nominated bank account on, or before, 19th October 2021.

News, Uncategorized, Young Creatives

Are you a young creative aged 18 – 30 on the Isle of Wight?

StoneCrabs is commissioning a group of young creatives on the Isle of Wight to respond to the Playdoh: Young Directors Festival 2021. The themes for the festival are language, confinement, politics, roots and identity. You could be a director, actor, producer or designer, so long as you are in charge of your digital artistic response. 

They are offering a fee of £494 to cover all expenses related to the commission, along with weekly training and mentoring and a day’s artistic exchange with other young artists.

You must commit to: creating/producing a 5-10 minute long artistic response to the festival’s themes; attending the training/mentoring; producing and promoting the online festival; watching the live stream of the Festival, and making sure you are available for the artistic exchange. The work will be streamed live at a local venue and online. There will be an opportunity for further development after the project is completed.

For more information download the poster, contact Franko Figueiredo, Artistic Director of Stonecrabs Theatre or check out the website.

Teacher Newsletter

IWCEP Teachers News: June 2021

Welcome to the Second Summer edition of the newsletter from the Isle of Wight Cultural Education Partnership (IWCEP)

Light Painting workshop during the Lift the Lid project


What a year it has been… I think we’re all feeling it. 2020 and 2021 have been tough on all of us, but there is light at the end of the tunnel and as I write more and more people are having their vaccinations, and on 19 July Covid rules are likely to finally be relaxed.

As a parent, my children are being invited to parties, seeing family and friends we haven’t seen for some time and we’re looking forward to Ventnor Fringe Festival, Quay Arts Open exhibition, New Carnival Company’s Children’s Festival, and the Summer Reading Challenge, as well as getting out and enjoying our beaches and so many other things!

As teachers I know many of you have begun to make visits and have visitors back into your classrooms, and we now have more opportunities to connect online, nothing beats an in-person visit from a ‘real’ artist, a historian or a musician. Children’s learning is greatly enriched when we give them these ‘wow’ moments and exciting experiences – try to recall the Conference we ran in October 2019 where Professor Mick Waters reminded us about those moments of discovery that children have.

So below, we have a number of exciting opportunities for you as teachers to introduce to your pupils or to pass on to your admin team for inclusion in your own school newsletters.

ENJOY YOUR SUMMER! You’ve earned it….


IWCEP – A quick question

The Partnership would like to plan another creative curriculum focused teacher conference along the lines of our highly successful ‘Building Cultural Capital’ conference in October 2019. Professor Mick Waters was an inspirational speaker and kept us all engaged and enthused. Times have radically changed, but we know how much you Island teachers value ‘the arts and heritage’, so my question is “Who would you love to hear from as an inspirational keynote speaker on the theme of creativity in schools?”

Please get in contact with Sarah Girling, IWCEP Coordinator, sarahgirling77@gmail.com, join our Facebook page, IWCEP Lift the Lid – Teachers or follow us on Twitter @IW_CEP .


The Isle of Wight Museums and Schools Programme UPDATE

We are a network of seven Island museums who along with the Cultural Education Partnership have been working together for the last 3 years to enhance links between schools and museums. This year our focus has been on developing digital and remote resources – although between lockdowns we have still managed to engage with over 1200 students.

The Museum and Schools programme have been working with creative practitioners to celebrate and enhance our collections and sites. These can be used to work towards an Arts Award qualification or assist with supporting the wider curriculum.

To accompany a museum visit or a  workshop we can offer a range of support activities which we hope will bring our sites and collections to life. These include:

  • A guide to oral history for pupils and teachers
  • Online collections – explore our collections at The Earth Museum (see below)
  • Ideas to inspire storytelling – professional storyteller Sue Bailey provides collection based activities.
  • Inspirational videos by local artists Ian Whitmore and Hannah George.  

Links to examples of the videos are given below. We also have artist videos on; origami boats, making your own silhouette shadow pictures and ‘Dazzle’ the art of camouflage.  Please get in touch if you would like to find out more about our resources and what workshops and visits we can offer.

Making Mosaics in Paper

In this video local Artist Hannah George demonstrates how to make a paper mosaic. Find out more about the art of mosaics and how they were used in Roman times. Create your own design inspired by the mosaics at Newport and Brading Roman Villas. 

Painting with Straight Lines – The Hammerhead Crane

This video has been created by artist Ian Whitmore. Using simple tools learn how to build up a painting of a local landmark. 

Find out more

To find out more about the Museums and Schools Programme, our workshops and resources please visit here or email corina.westwood@iow.gov.uk . We will be circulating our September workshops very soon.

Isle of Wight Museums and Schools Programme is supported by Arts Council England through the Department of Education.


More from The Earth Museum…

Museums on the Isle of Wight are an amazing resource for learning. The Arts Council England and DfE funded Museums and Schools programme on the Island is delighted to share a new blended learning programme being developed with The Earth Museum to support primary and secondary teaching across history, geography, STEM and citizen subjects.


Follow this link to discover the exciting range of museum field trips and digital explorer maps for use in the classroom – reconnecting artefacts and their stories to people and places on the Island and across the world. Take a look at the resources we have developed around 4 key themes relevant to the KS2 and KS3 curriculum: Before 1066; Beyond 1066; Science Innovation Island; and Global Island. 


We are also offering free training sessions, provided by The Earth Museum, to assist teachers in maximising the new learning opportunities provided by our programme; and are also keen to connect with schools interested in advising on and supporting the continued development of the programme to best support their curriculum needs. If you are interested in either of these opportunities, please contact The Earth Museum at enquiries@theearthmuseum.co.uk


The Summer Reading Challenge is back in libraries this summer, inspiring children to keep reading for pleasure over the summer. This year’s challenge is called Wild World Heroes, and as children progress through the challenge, they will get lots of tips of ways to help the environment, as well as a range of exciting rewards, including a medal and certificate.

Children can join for free in their local library from Monday 19 July.

For more information, contact elspeth.jackson@iow.gov.uk, phone 823824 or contact your local library.

Teachers can join an online reading challenge too: teachersreadingchallenge.org.uk 


Brave Island is a new platform providing opportunities for 14-25 year olds, living on the Isle of Wight, interested in the creative industries. Young people can sign up to the site, joining over 150 other users, and be able to apply to any opportunities that interest them. Young people are invited to join Brave Island’s ideas panel to meet new people and have your say in what future opportunities are on offer.


IOW Music Hub has lots of projects this Summer Term to get involved with alongside our usual free CPD programme for teachers. Contact Nia Collins, Music Hub Relationship Manager, call 02380 833633 or 07790022559 or via email: nia.collins@iowmusichub.org 

Welsh National Opera: Transition Songs EYFS, KS1 DIGITAL CONTENT

WNO are creating three brand new transition songs for you to use as part of your school routines from the summer term onwards!  Each song will come with a bespoke backing track and video you can use in the classroom, as well as a teaching video to learn  the melody and the Makaton signs that go with it.  We hope that you can make use of these to help ease transitions during the school day and embed them into your day to day activities throughout the school year. 

5 Minute Rhythm & Rhyme (EYFS, KS1, SEND DIGITAL CONTENT)

This new Hub created resource features weekly 5 minute music-making sessions based around original songs.  A series of inclusive music and sensory activities created for SEND pupils in both mainstream and specialist settings for Early years and KS1, featuring action songs, rhythms, rhymes and of course Makaton signs!

Big 10 Minute Sign & Sing (EYFS – KS3 & SEND)

Learn Makaton signs to your favourite pop songs, new content every Monday. 

An Audience With… (KS3, KS4 & KS5)

Short videos from Music Industry professionals talking about their roles and pose your own questions which will be answered via our YouTube channel. Latest episode: DJ Shadowchild.

‘Spark Catchers’ Songwriting Project (KS2 & KS3 DIGITAL CONTENT)

Write your own protest song using this series of 5 short cross curricular videos created by Southampton based organisation the Matchgirls Memorial as part of their project ‘Spark Catchers’.  Suitable for English, History, PSHE and Music lessons or as a standalone digital resource.

“This Is Our Carnival” (KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, SEND)

Learn the new anthem for this year’s National Children’s Carnival Week as part of this project led by The New Carnival Company with resources and a Makaton signing version if you are not yet singing en masse.  Watch out – it’s very catchy!

Welsh National Opera : Opera Stories KS2 DIGITAL CONTENT

Join singers from WNO who will bring the stories of opera alive through some fun, short videos.  Opera singers Emily and Dalma will retell condensed stories of four different operas, introducing the main characters and performing a musical excerpt from each one!  This resource is designed to make opera accessible to all through engaging video content you can use anytime in the classroom either offline or via our website. You can access this resource when you sign up to the IWMH mailing list.


Secondary Arts Opportunity: National competition for Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Emblem launches

A national competition to design the official emblem for Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 launched on 21 June 2021.

The competition – run by the V&A, in conjunction with Buckingham Palace – is open to young people between 13 and 25 from all over the United Kingdom. Aspiring artists and designers will have the opportunity to submit an original design for an emblem to signify Her Majesty’s historic, seventy-year reign, and capture the spirit of the national festivities.

Read the press release here.


Carnivals up and down the country are working together to bring a celebration full of camaraderie, vibrancy and exuberance, to every child and young person this summer. The new National Children’s Carnival Week, 12 – 18 July 2021, is the brainchild of the UK Centre for Carnival Arts based in Luton, and aims to get schoolteachers, children and their families everywhere involved in a remarkable upbeat finale to what has been such a challenging academic year. 

Read more about this exciting project and how you can be involved here. Contact Frankie Goldspink at The New Carnival Company, frankie@thenewcarnivalcompany.com


Training from our local Bridge Organisation

If you haven’t already booked… Artswork’s 3rd Free CPDL Webinar for teachers:

‘Arts Rich Schools – What They Look Like and How to Become One’ Wednesday 30 June 2021, 3.00 – 5.00pm

With Sam Cairns Co-Director of the Cultural Learning Alliance, (who led the RSA research into Arts Rich Schools published in January 2020), and a range of successful schools sharing their practice.

Eventbrite Booking opening soon on our website https://artswork.org.uk/training-events/

If you have any queries please email lorrainecheshire@artswork.org.uk.


Summer activities for your parent newsletters

English Heritage are hosting Changeling Theatre company’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Osborne House on 6 & 7 August 2021. Book here. Please feel free to download the press release for your parents/carers to access.

 


Picture Play is an early years creative project running every Saturday morning (10-11:30am) in our creative hub (48/49 High Street, Newport). The project is aimed at families of primary aged children, and more specifically those who may especially benefit from a creative approach.

The project aids early years development, fosters confidence in both parents and children and aims to support and encourage creative engagement in the arts. Spaces are limited and the project is currently fully but new slots will be available in the autumn. Please do contact Independent Arts for more information or to enquire about a family joining

School Ties – Intergenerational primary schools and care home project Our fabulous schools and homes engagement project is now drawing to a close. We are so proud of the relationships that have been built between Island primary schools and care homes. In particular through the pandemic. Our participating schools and homes supported one another with an incredible flow of paintings poetry and letters, and we have created a special award for our wonderful primary aged Island children who have shown such care and consideration for others.

Artsmark – We are excited to announce that Independent Arts is now an official Artsmark partner. We are able to support and guide schools through their artsmark journey in a number of ways. Please do contact us for further details.

Tel: 01983 822437 – Website http://www.independentarts.org.uk

Picture Play at Independent Arts’ Creative Hub, Newport.

Some last minute news… Summer Holiday Food and Activity Schemes

It is fantastic to hear that Theatre Educational (TEd) has been successful in applying for funding to run holiday schemes this summer.

There is information on all of the schemes running on the Isle of Wight Council site and TEd’s activities can be found on their website. A Google Form can be accessed here for parents wishing to sign children up to the TEd activity weeks. There are free places for those who qualify for Free School Meals, and there are places for £15 per day.

That’s all for now folks!

Teacher Newsletter

IWCEP Teachers News: April 2021

Welcome to the Summer edition of the newsletter from the Isle of Wight Cultural Education Partnership (IWCEP)

Family fun investigating a replica Roman oil lamp


You are two thirds of the way through the school year and I’m sure it feels great to have your pupils back in the classroom. The summer term always feels like a breath of fresh air, when you can get outside and be close to nature, and although things are a ‘bit different’ the hope of warm sunshine and celebrating the end of the academic year is within reach.

IWCEP Update

The Partnership has been busy planning for the future. We have become more sustainable by aligning ourselves with a local charity, The Island Collection. The IWCEP is now officially a committee of that group. We have also begun to express our Story of Change, describing what motivates us as a partnership and what we would like to do in order to move forward. Next we will write a 5 year strategic plan.

If you feel that you would like some input into our plans please get in contact with Sarah Girling, IWCEP Coordinator, sarahgirling77@gmail.com. You would be welcome to either email comments or come to our IWCEP meetings, currently held on Zoom. The next meeting is Tuesday 18 May at 3.30pm.

Story of Change developed by the Isle of Wight Cultural Education Partnership in March 2021.
IWCEPs Story of Change 2021

The Isle of Wight Museums and Schools Programme UPDATE

We are a network of seven Island museums who along with the Cultural Education Partnership have been working together for the last 3 years to enhance links between schools and museums. This year our focus has been on developing digital and remote resources – although between lockdowns we have still managed to engage with over 1200 students.

Whilst we are waiting for our museums to re-open, we have an exciting offer of subsidised workshops which we can bring to your schools either digitally or in person. We have developed introductory videos for our sites and can provide interactive Q&As with our experts. These sessions are available at a reduced cost thanks to funding from the Department for Education through Arts Council England  – find out more

We hope that our museums will open after the 17 May so if you would like to bring your students to visit – please get in touch. We can offer exciting workshops and a discount off the normal admission price. 

Supporting Arts Award

The Museum and Schools programme have been working with creative practitioners to celebrate and enhance our collections and sites. These can be used to work towards an Arts Award qualification or assist with supporting the wider curriculum. Available soon:

  • A Guide to Oral History for pupils and teachers
  • A gallery of our museum’s ‘Top Treasures’ with exciting storytelling ideas to support their interpretation. See example here
  • A series of videos made by some of the Island’s top artists which will guide your students in creating their own incredible artworks inspired by the Island’s history  
Enhance both Literacy and History with our new resources.

Explore the Earth Museum

We have  also been working with The Earth Museum to create digital explorer maps.  Students can use these exciting interactive maps in the classroom or at home to dive into the fascinating history of the Isle of Wight told through the collections of our museums. The Earth Museum have developed four programmes:

  • The Isle of Wight before 1066, 
  • The Isle of Wight 1700 – 1900, 
  • Science Island 
  • Global Island

The maps will support curriculum based learning for KS2 and KS3 students across history, geography, science, and citizenship. These incredible maps can be used as a standalone resource for refreshing and consolidating existing knowledge and will also complement future museum visits.   Please take a moment to explore this resource and let us know if there are any other topics or curriculum links which may be useful for us to develop. Explore objects and stories of the Island at The Earth Museum.

Cartoon History of the Isle of Wight

And finally a little bit of fun for children and adults – celebrate the Isle of Wight’s incredible history with our interactive poem ‘A Cartoon History of the Isle of Wight’ . The poem brings alive the history of the Island. Why not  illustrate the poem and create your own verses?

Find out more

The Museums and Schools programme is supported by Arts Council England, funded through the Department of Education.

Partners include: The Cultural Education Partnership, Carisbrooke Castle Museum, Classic Boat Museum, Brading Roman Villa, Dimbola Museum and Galleries, The Shipwreck Centre and Maritime Museum, Newport Roman Villa, and the Museum of Island History. 

Find out more about the Museums and Schools programme please visit here Museum Service – Service Details (iow.gov.uk)

If you would like to book a visit or workshop, please contact the sites directly or contact Heritage Education Officer – Estelle Baker who will provide an overview of what is available. estelle.baker@iow.gov.uk  (0781 3021486) 


Osborne House and Carisbrooke Castle are now open seven days a week, grounds only, with interiors hopefully reopening mid-May. If you are interested in a visit with your education group check out the schools pages on our websites or contact our Education Visits Officer, Laura Bosworth, Laura.Bosworth@english-heritage.org.uk

14 education groups have responded to our Spring Challenge to design large pennants for Carisbrooke Castle depicting a period of the Castle’s history and a chosen character from that time. The completed pennants will be going up on display in the Castle from Friday 30th April 2021. The groups have worked really hard on their creations and it is lovely to be able to showcase the creative talent we have in our young Islanders. 

Yarmouth Castle is planning to re-open mid-May and will have a new storytelling space. We are hoping to work with local Early Years and School Groups who would like to make use of this space. Please contact Laura Bosworth for more information.


The Classic Boat Museum will re-open this summer with exciting new displays.

The Boat Shed in Cowes and the Gallery in East Cowes will welcome visitors from June 22. The Gallery has been completely refurbished thanks to a grant from the South East Museums Development Programme and will present a new series of exhibitions: Dreaming of the Sea, Joe Carstairs ‘The Fastest Woman on the Water’, Maritime Power and Technology, and Sailing By on the history of sailing.

We are also proud to present a Dinghy Simulator, supplied by Indoor Sailing, which will give visitors the opportunity to try out virtual sailing in the museum. It’s equipped for disabled, novice and experienced sailors. This new acquisition has been made possible with a grant from the National Heritage Lottery Foundation.

Dinghy Simulator Training at the Classic Boat Museum

We are delighted to be working with the IOW Heritage and Education Service, the IWCEP, the Earth Museum and UKSA in developing learning materials and workshops for students on a wide range of maritime subjects: From Virtual Sailing to Real Sailing, Safety at Sea, Transport Through Time and Marine Clothing Then and Now.

Contact Jan Ford jan@maritimeisle.com for advice on where to obtain pre-visit learning materials and how to book workshops and you can find out more on the Museum’s website .


Brave Island is a new platform providing opportunities for 14-25 year olds, living on the Isle of Wight, interested in the creative industries. Young people can sign up to the site, joining over 150 other users, and be able to apply to any opportunities that interest them. Some opportunities currently on offer include the chance to work as an Assistant Producer at Ventnor Exchange – part of the Government’s Kickstart scheme. View a whole host of talks available from Soundcheck, our music industry event at ventnorexchange.co.uk/soundcheck. And join Brave Island’s ideas panel to meet new people and have your say in what future opportunities are on offer.


IOW Music Hub has lots of projects this Summer Term to get involved with alongside our usual free CPD programme for teachers. Book or sign up here http://www.iowmusichub.org/

Big Emotions: Mindful Music for Little People (EYFS, KS1 & CPD FOR TEACHERS & DIGITAL CONTENT)

A new creative wellbeing music resource aimed at EYFS and KS1 created as a preventative tool for improving and nurturing children’s emotional wellbeing.  ​Enjoy this musical book with children to help them learn about their emotions and how to regulate them.  Each emotion has a song attached to it and plus access to 6 lesson plans and resources including art, colouring, mindfulness, DT and music activities that cover the National Curriculum for Music.  Composer and author Laura Loft will deliver an online CPD session for teachers as part of this project introducing all the resources and how you might use them in your school.  SPACES ARE LIMITED

5 Minute Rhythm & Rhyme (EYFS, KS1, SEND DIGITAL CONTENT)

This new Hub created resource features weekly 5 minute music-making sessions based around original songs.  A series of inclusive music and sensory activities created for SEND pupils in both mainstream and specialist settings for Early years and KS1, featuring action songs, rhythms, rhymes and of course Makaton signs!

Big 10 Minute Sign & Sing (EYFS – KS3 & SEND)

Learn Makaton signs to your favourite pop songs, new content every Monday. 

An Audience With… (KS3, KS4 & KS5)

Short videos from Music Industry professionals talking about their roles and pose your own questions which will be answered via our YouTube channel

Strictly Come Play – Virtual Ensemble (KS2, KS3, KS4 & KS5)

Missing playing together in school?  Don’t have time to put together a digital performance?  No problem, we’ll do that for you!  Sign up for access to a very flexible arrangement suitable from grade 1 upwards.  Pupils can send us videos of their parts from home, school or wherever and we will stitch together a digital performance to premiere on our YouTube channel.

‘Spark Catchers’ Songwriting Project (KS2 & KS3 DIGITAL CONTENT)

Write your own protest song using this series of 5 short cross curricular videos created by Southampton based organisation the Matchgirls Memorial as part of their project ‘Spark Catchers’.  Suitable for English, History, PSHE and Music lessons or as a standalone digital resource.

“This Is Our Carnival” (KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, SEND)

Learn the new anthem for this year’s National Children’s Carnival Week as part of this project led by The New Carnival Company with resources and a Makaton signing version if you are not yet singing en masse.  Watch out – it’s very catchy!


Carnivals up and down the country are working together to bring a celebration full of camaraderie, vibrancy and exuberance, to every child and young person this summer. The new National Children’s Carnival Week, 12 – 18 July 2021, is the brainchild of the UK Centre for Carnival Arts based in Luton, and aims to get schoolteachers, children and their families everywhere involved in a remarkable upbeat finale to what has been such a challenging academic year. 

Read more about this exciting project and how you can be involved here.

Contact Frankie Goldspink at The New Carnival Company, frankie@thenewcarnivalcompany.com


Training from our local Bridge Organisation

‘Back on track: reignite your Artsmark journey’ free online workshop Wednesday 19 May 2021, 10.00-11.30 am.

Join one of our expert trainers and other aspiring Artsmark settings for an interactive support session focusing on how the flexible Artsmark framework can support and align with your plans for recovery in school. Suitable for settings at any stage of their Artsmark journey.

Book via: https://artswork.org.uk/training-events/

If you have any queries please email artsmark@artswork.org.uk.

Save the Date for Artswork’s 3rd Free CPDL Webinar for teachers:

‘Arts Rich Schools – What They Look Like and How to Become One’ Wednesday 30 June 2021, 3.00 – 5.00pm

With Sam Cairns Co-Director of the Cultural Learning Alliance, (who led the RSA research into Arts Rich Schools published in January 2020), and a range of successful schools sharing their practice.

Eventbrite Booking opening soon on our website https://artswork.org.uk/training-events/

If you have any queries please email lorrainecheshire@artswork.org.uk.

LAStheatre are returning to the Island in June this year with another outdoor performance for schools. 

‘The Rascally Diner’ is suitable for Years 2 – 6 and is all about the love of food! The performances are subsidised and there is potential for a bursary should that help bring the show to your school. They still have dates available in the week of 7 June.

Get in touch with Liz Bate: liz@lastheatre.com if you’d like to hear more, and have a look at their information pack here.

Picture Play – a 12 week Saturday morning art club independent Arts are funded to deliver to families who may need support. Suitable for Reception to Year 6 aged children. Parents (& younger siblings) must attend too. Saturday mornings  10 – 11.30am held at 48/49 High Street. Starts Sat 22nd May through to 14th August.

In blocks of 4 weeks, we’ll offer a curriculum based on inspiring artists starting with Rousseau and his wonderful animals. Places limited to 12 in total. Reserve a place by ringing Independent Arts 01983 822437. 


That’s all for now folks!