Trailblazer Evaluation Report 17/18

Investing in leadership
Staff development is ‘the strategic heart’ of Trailblazer, both developing arts
specific expertise and the nurturing of leadership for cultural learning. This year, the
leadership training has been reduced from 2 days to 1 and schools have not had
access to a 1-2-1 consultant as in previous years. Emphasis has been placed on the
potential for schools to work in partnership and on building peer networks. The
LiCL cohort model their leadership and reflective practice in twilights and at the
Autumn conference. LiCL were also invited to work together to develop
proposals for Local Cultural Education Partnership investment. This group are a
valuable resource for the programme, bringing their expertise and support to the
Cultural Champions network.
LiCL discussion at the ‘Changing Cultures’ Leadership Conference, November 2018
Photo Credit: Brian Slater
The LiCL cohort are clear about the change that they want to see – in their schools
and for the borough. Some are operational, others more generally aspirational. LiCL
proposals include:
• A toolkit for Cultural Champions
• A guide for an arts led integrated primary curriculum
• Project activity to challenge Thurrock’s growing gang culture
• A cultural ‘passport’ – logging activity and defining cultural entitlement
• A pilot for an arts based primary to secondary transition programme
• An Inter-school Inclusive Arts Project for PMLD/SEND collaboration
This last example illustrates the potential for schools to be pro-active in the
development of Trailblazer, leading activity and managing partnerships within the
programme.
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