Today, Learning Manager Gillian Twaite shares her response to the recent Curriculum Review, led by Professor Becky Francis CBE. You can read the full review and learn more about it here.
As a Learning Team, we are passionate about equitable access to culture and the arts for all children and young people. We see the importance of participation as well as ‘experiences’ throughout their school career. We also passionately believe that all young people should have the opportunity to follow a career in the creative industries, and to have access to higher level learning and qualifications in the arts to support this.
We therefore warmly welcome the recommendations in the recent Curriculum Review and look forward to further announcements regarding the National Centre for Arts and Music. At Sampad we amplify unheard voices, break down barriers and celebrate South Asian Arts and Heritage. As such, we believe our Sampad Associate Schools programme is aligned with the Curriculum Review findings.
Our work in schools as well as student placements offer representation for young people from the global majority, as well as enriching the curriculum and the wider school experience for other young people who otherwise would not experience South Asian cultures. We are pleased that the review highlighted the need for a more diverse and representative curriculum where children ‘see themselves’ as well as experience a wealth of cultural learning opportunities.
Our photographic schools exhibition City of Empire to City of Diversity has become embedded in our school’s wider curriculum, sharing the evolving heritage of Birmingham in a way that young people can reflect on and respond to; this is more important than ever in the current climate. Alongside this, our companion Theatre in Education piece My Journey My Birmingham deepens the discussions by bringing the characters to life and giving children the opportunity to question and think outside their own experience.
We are delighted that the review recommends that all schools provide both a Cultural profile as well as a dedicated Arts Curriculum. We will continue to support staff in developing their skills by continuing to offer CPD in Oracy, Heritage, Dance and Art .
We already link schools with specialist South Asian Arts practitioners in a range of art forms as well as touring performances for Diwali and offering musician and creative careers assemblies. We also welcome suggestions from schools, as we develop our offer for 2026-7. Each year we respond to needs and, as a result, in January 2026 we will be touring a new Early Years performance Lori to a range of settings, including Libraries and Nursery Schools.
As schools upskill staff and adapt their curriculum / school day in readiness for the changes ahead, we are here to support however we can, whether it be developing a culturally diverse event/ residency, staff CPD or a whole year of arts enrichment. Please get in touch – I am very happy to visit your school for a no obligation chat.
Gillian Twaite – Learning Manager, Sampad Associate Schools
