Thurrock Trailblazer Evaluation 2015/16

Growing the creative economy - employability and aspiration
There is an urgent debate about the need to invest in creative, technical
and cultural learning in order to feed the potential economic growth area
of the Heritage, Cultural, Creative and Media sectors. Thurrock sits within
the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) region, which has
identified this sector as a critical area for investment and development. 24
This is of particular reference to Thurrock, sitting in the Thames Gateway
Regeneration Zone, but is of national concern. The Warwick commission 25
focused on the need to address the ‘pipeline squeeze’ - the disconnect
between education, skills, training and the requirements of a developing
creative economy. Goal 3 in the report articulates the need:
“Goal 3: A world-class creative and cultural education for all to ensure the
wellbeing and creativity of the population as well as the future success of
the Cultural and Creative Industries Ecosystem”.
Children performing at the Trailblazer culmination event, FUSED
Photography. Brian Slater
At a time when the need to develop creative talent is acute, Thurrock
pupils are recognising the value of working with practising, respected arts
professionals. The very youngest appreciate the insight this gives them
into what is distinct about working in the creative and cultural sector.
“Artists are more imaginative because that is what they do - all of the
time.”
Mohammed, Year 3 student, Gateway Primary Free School
24 CCSkills (Date Accessed: 12/10/2016). Towards a national prospectus for the creative economy in
the South East. https://ccskills.org.uk/downloads/SE_Prospectus_Low_Res_.pdf
25 Warwick Commission (2015). Culture, Creativity and Growth: The 2015 Report by the Warwick
Commission on the Future of Cultural Value. The University of Warwick, Coventry.
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