We’re aware that bringing us into your school and having Artis Specialists support your curriculum with creative learning has implications for budgets. As a Headteacher or member of a senior management team, you need a guarantee that the service you are buying in will bring good results and be an addition that your pupils enjoy and look forward to each week.

 

“I think the creative breadth Artis adds to our curriculum, linking their sessions with our topics, make them a good investment,” says Raynville Primary School Headteacher Su Edwards.

 

“Our staff also gain from involvement in the Artis sessions, so we are getting continuing professional development for both teachers and learning assistants too. They can see and learn from the techniques Artist Specialists use, and adapt these for use back in the classroom. In this way we expand the opportunities for pupils to experience creative learning and get the most out of our Artis service.

 

“Besides my management duties as Headteacher, I take on other opportunities for external work. This attracts extra funds and helps me cover the cost of Artis. While I could spend this money hiring another member of staff, the on-costs and commitments of a permanent post does not give me any flexibility if I find I need to make changes in future years. We renew our contract with Artis each year. This allows me to increase or reduce the service depending on the pressures and commitments I am facing at the time.

 

“The other advantage for a Headteacher is the professionalism and dependability of Artis. There’s the assurance that comes from working with a credible, efficient organisation. So, if our Specialist falls ill, I know Artis will manage the replacement cover from their team without a murmur. For busy Headteachers this is one less potential problem. And that counts for a lot!”

 

About half of the schools we work with use our services to cover teachers’ PPA time. Emme Byrne, Assistant Headteacher at Mount Pleasant Junior and Infant School, in Kirklees, Yorkshire, says:

“I think it’s true to say that having Artis for your PPA does cost more than hiring a generic supply service. But we think Artis gives us so much more. They shape their sessions to your curriculum. It’s not a case of they come into school and do their standard, off-the-shelf prepared lessons. It’s a custom-made session each time, meeting the needs of your children that you identify and discuss with them in advance. It’s such a privilege to have professional performing artists in our school, and of course the children love it and learn while having fun.

 

“We’re an inner-city school and have pressures on our budget. For example, because we have a high number of children from different ethnic minority groups we have extra staff to help meet their needs. However we value Artis so much, we’d do all we can to keep their services as a regular part of our weekly curriculum.”

 

“There are different ways to help meet the cost of Artis services”, says Artis Chief Executive Rebecca Boyle (Buzz). “Most of our schools pay for Artis out of their school budget for a set number of days a week through the year, giving them continuous provision.   

 

“If that’s not possible we are always happy to discuss the possibility of a shared contract across several schools, perhaps within an education authority or as part of a local consortium. You can also look to see if a third-party organisation may contribute to or fund your Artis service. For example, Burghclere Primary school in north Hampshire is fortunate enough to have their Artis sessions partly paid for through a local charitable Foundation, The Greenham Common Trust.

 

“Or, if you cannot yet bring us in as a permanent service, but are keen to get us working for you as soon as possible, look at our new, short-burst project menu. It’s ideal for special or one-off events such as an arts week. We also have Mind the Gap, tailored specially to help pupils in Years 6 and Year 7 with their transfer from primary to an academy or secondary school. Both centres of learning can share the cost, or perhaps you can include other feeder primaries if they want Artis services too.”

 

“Collective groupings of schools in a local area can help us offer you savings, so do think about ways you could work in partnership. We are always willing to listen to your ideas and agree an arrangement that benefits everyone involved.”