Transforming the creative lives of children with special education needs
The Common Ground Arts project had three key aims for SEN students: providing meaningful arts experiences, widening access to the arts, and using the arts as a voice for creative expression. This project enabled SEND pupils to have a place and a voice within the community. Bringing together many different art forms enabled everyone involved, including those with more complex needs, to develop skills and experiences which they would not usually be able to access within the local community.
What did we do?
Fox Hollies initially developed the programme within the school in 2021. Due to its success and impact, it extended to six other SEN schools within the Birmingham Special Schools Cooperative Trust; reaching over 1,200 students aged three to 19.
The programme involved recruiting and training freelance artists in SEN teaching practices, fostering artist-teacher collaboration, and designing and delivering 12-week artist residencies in each school. Common Ground Arts guided the planning, training and collaboration between schools and artists to create engaging and innovative arts experiences for students. It provided a platform for reflective practice, allowing artists and teachers to share their experiences throughout.
Over three years, Common Ground Arts has delivered more than 20 artist residencies, including breakdancing for students with severe learning disabilities, street art for secondary-aged autistic students, filmmaking for deaf students, eco arts and den-making for primary-aged students, felt-making for autistic primary students, and ultraviolet textiles for post-16 students with physical disabilities.
These annual residencies are captured in beautifully crafted, BSL-interpreted films that focus on student voice and artistic experience. These accessible films, available for students, families, and the community, focus on the artistic processes rather than the ‘end product’—an approach particularly important for students with SEN.
The sensory artwork created by students during their residencies, along with the films, is celebrated in a summer exhibition at a public arts centre. The exhibition is attended by all participating schools, members of the arts community, and the wider public, who come together to celebrate the students’ remarkable achievements.
How did we do this?
Fox Hollies School, led by Grace Mahar who strategically and creatively planned the project, was able to secure funding from the Arts Council England, Arts Connect, and United by Charity. The programme targeted key areas within schools’ arts curricula, developing bespoke artist residencies for long-term impact.
In 2023 funding was secured to create films for artists, families, and teachers, allowing the project’s impact to be shared nationally and extending its reach in the fields of SEN.
The project has been both exciting and engaging for our students, fostering inclusivity and providing wider access to the arts and the community. In addition, it has positively impacted creative, inclusive, and reflective practices among teaching staff and artists.
What did we find?
Common Ground Arts has been a key part of Fox Hollies School’s creative journey and an essential component in our goal to achieve our Artsmark Award.
The project provided valuable experiences and skill development for pupils, enabling them to practise new and unfamiliar artistic techniques they may not have encountered otherwise. It promoted pupil engagement and enjoyment, helping to develop not only their creative, but their social and communication skills as well. Some of responses from pupils participating in the project highlight the importance of this journey:
It makes me feel excited, energetic and very happy.
It is making me very dreamy and happy.
It actually opened my eyes to a whole new world of graffiti.
The project provided value and a sense of purpose for the pupils, especially so as their endeavours resulted in an exhibition, celebrating themselves, and involving their families, school and the local community.
Wider impact and recognition
It also offered professional development for school staff and artists, enhancing skills and knowledge across various art forms, fostering a peer-networking approach, and supporting artists in accessing and understanding learners with SEND.
Notable achievements of the Common Ground Arts project include receiving a Royal Television Society award in 2023 for the artist residency with Bhulla Benghal and Longwill School for the Deaf.
Common Ground has delivered 21 freelance artist residencies, provided 900 days of artist-led experiences and established a peer network across SEN schools, with the primary focus of developing arts curriculum experiences and access. Over 2,850 people have visited the exhibitions, celebrating our students’ incredible artistic achievements.
Visit the website to watch the films of the artist residencies >
