Thinking Differently
Project Insights
A 2-year contemporary visuals arts research project within 3 SEND (Special Educational Needs & Disability) high schools in Herefordshire & Worcestershire.
In 2019 we secured funding from the Paul Hamlyn Foundation for the Thinking Differently research project. It set out to explore and test our theory that contemporary visual artists have the capacity to unlock hidden potential in children with special educational needs and disabilities by virtue of their often-unconventional way of viewing the world. Specifically, we wanted to explore the notion that contemporary visual artists can help autistic and neurodiverse children to attain improved school results, communicate better and show improved self-confidence.
The project worked in collaboration with three regional SEND (Special Educational Needs & Disability) high schools, Chadsgrove in Bromsgrove, Westfield in Leominster and Regency in Worcester, educational research specialists at the School of Education within the University of Worcester and arts-education charity the House of Imagination.
Funding from the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Arts-Based Learning, Explore and Test Fund enabled us to work with these partners and experienced artists from our creative practitioner network over 24 sessions in each school.
“There has been real progress in their communication with each other and with us as the adults in the room. We have seen more signing, use of symbols, VOCA machines and vocalising. Through this multi communication approach, everyone is included, and everyone has a voice.”
– Teacher, Chadsgrove School
“It has confirmed my view that as an art specialist we should have an invaluable role to play in children’s education.”
– Teacher, Regency School
“An amazing experience … the teachers as facilitators, the pupils as creators. [The artists’] calm, brave approach has also helped the teaching assistants to trust in the pupil’s creative direction … I feel braver now… I feel empowered.”
– Teacher, Chadsgrove School
The project is featured as a case study in Creativity in the Early Years – Engaging Children Aged 0-5, a book by Simon Taylor, Senior Lecturer in Education, Creativity, Research and Partnerships at the University of Worcester.
Partners
