Arts courses at the Kingswood Foundation for young people get positively evaluated by UWE

Last year an evaluation of the Arts4Life Courses at the Kingswood Foundation was carried out by the UWE. The evaluation was commissioned to identify strengths and weaknesses in the courses for young people from an independent body and the recently published report concluded that the programme was ‘highly rated and highly successful’.

The courses are specifically designed to meet the needs of young people, of secondary school age, who find it hard to engage in a school environment. For one day a week over ten weeks the young people attend and are given the opportunity to immerse themselves in a variety of artforms. As well as learning new skills in performing and visual arts they also include a personal development programme which focus’ on skills such as teamwork, conflict resolution, increased creativity and empathy. The positive findings of the report prove that there is a massive increase in self confidence from students who participate. The report adds: “This is not just confidence in terms of academic work but the confidence to be actively involved in school life at most levels, including requesting help form teachers, mentors and learning assistants.”

UWE also go on to praise the fact that students acquire lots of new skills on the courses, they highlight the way the students feel more confident in taking responsibility for their own actions and the schools themselves report an improvement with students engaging with their learning.

For a copy of the report see the news and events section of the KF website or contact Aimee Mukherjee, The Kingswood Foundation, 20 Old School House, Britannia Road, Kingswood, Bristol BS15 8DB t: 0117 947 7948.

The next set of courses start 27th September so interested schools should contact the Foundation directly.