Lead Creative Schools

At Ysgol Ty Coch we have participated in the Arts Council of Wales Lead Creative Schools Scheme. During our first year, we created a Numeracy Wonderland to support the development of mathematical concepts with learners through school. In the second year, the focus was on Personal and Social Education.  We explored themes of friendship, belonging, family and community.

The Lead Creative School Scheme will support innovative, long-term partnerships between schools and creative professionals.  These partnerships are intended to inspire schools to deliver the curriculum in ways which engage the interest of learners through innovative teaching.  They also support young people to challenge themselves in new ways, to gain confidence and to take on a more active role in learning.”

“The Lead Creative School Scheme offers teachers across Wales the support to develop creative approaches to teaching and learning through an intensive programme that draws on the skills of Creative Practitioners who will, over a period of time, work closely with teachers, learners and schools.”

We were delighted to be involved in such an innovative and exciting projects. Our Creative Practitioner, Cindy Ward, has provided a wealth of new experiences to learners and supported staff in developing new skills to enhance learning through creative practice.

Following this, we were invited to The Tate Gallery in London to collaborate with Cindy as she led the public in a workshop. Pupils were able to demonstrate the skills they had learnt whilst taking part in the project.

More recently, we have collaborated with the Arts Council for Wales on projects with other schools, such as putting on a show over three days with Park Lane Special School in February 2022 in Coleg y Cymoedd, Nantgarw. It was an amazing experience which involved over 100 performers and the school partnered with Forget Me Not Productions.  In December 2023, the school partnered again with the Arts Council of Wales and Forget Me Not Productions to collaborate on a song, created by the pupils, using AAC technology, which was showcased at the school's Christmas concert.