TT1617 Evaluation Report

to learn a musical instrument and professional performers will visit
GLC academies to provide the ‘WOW factor’ that will be remembered
for years to come.”
Gateway Learning Community Vision statement
“The provision of high quality arts and cultural opportunities...is so
central to our ethos...is an aspect that we wish to roll down into the
KS1 & 2 educational experiences of students who are likely to make
the transition from primary school to become members of William
Edwards, in order for them come to us with some equality of
cultural experience.“
William Edwards School
The shift of the Cultural Champions from being independent participants in
a cultural learning programme, to developing a sense of being part of a
micro research community, is important. They are making a compelling,
evidence based case for cultural learning. This year, they were invited to
consider the collaborative structures their schools were part of and how
wide their influence as Cultural Champions might spread (Appendix 2).
Development is embryonic. 80% of Cultural Champions reported that they
were developing productive links with other schools. Slightly more of those
who are in a MAT (86%) report that they are working across the MAT and
feel that Trailblazer is helping to raise the status of arts across the trust.
Cultural Champions came together to discuss how they could work across
their MATs and other networks to affect change in their schools. Within
their MAT groups they started to identify shared approaches to cultural
entitlement and planned key actions to share learning and increase the
impact of Trailblazer.
“twilights with other schools have helped immensely in sharing
impact, ideas and getting our heads together to share best practice.
For example, collaboration with East Tilbury has influenced our
curriculum development strategy.”
Thameside Primary School
“The arts curriculum is planned centrally within the MAT and then
planned by teachers within each school and distributed across the
GLC. This is overseen for quality and assurance by the SLT. Each year
this is developed based upon the needs of each school dependent on
their SIP. Progress is measured through book scrutiny, observation
and planning scrutiny both by SLT, and through regular MAT
curriculum meetings.”
Herringham Primary Academy, Gateway Learning Community
The Gateway Learning Community schools have worked together, mindful
of one of the core values of the Trust. All schools in the Trust are part of
the programme. They have formalised meetings between the Cultural
19