Mind the Gap! How to make transition exciting 

Creative learning pioneer Artis pushes the frontier of performance-based music, drama and movement forward to secondary schools and academies this year, with a new programme, Mind the Gap.

Already specialists in unleashing the creative talents of young people in primary schools, Mind the Gap will help students express themselves and gain skills to aid them in a successful transition to secondary education. Closely linked to the needs of the national curriculum and Every Child Matters, the programme is of particular benefit to both young people and staff as they come together to form new academies.

“This is a first for us on several levels,” said Artis Chief Executive Rebecca Boyle (Buzz). “Mind the Gap will see us working regularly with secondary schools. We’re presenting a unique offer: through us secondary schools and academies can develop the behavioural and social skills of their future students. At the same time primary schools can help prepare children in a creative, relaxed way for their next stage of education. The programme looks to increase confidence, teamwork and discipline, and improve speaking, listening and decision-making skills.

"The programme also has the enthusiastic support of ou new partners, the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT). Their recognition of the service we offer and our contribution to the creative curriculum is a real boost."

Commenting on Artis and Mind the Gap, Lesley King, Director of Academy Networks at SSAT, said:
“Artis is a remarkable organisation. Their skilled and well-trained performers are passionate about the creative arts and working with young people. What makes Artis special is the quality control of their services and their fundamental understanding of education and the national curriculum.

“Young people take part in music, dance or storytelling as Artis Specialists fire their imaginations. You see the joy pupils experience as they master an art form. Yet at the same time they are picking up transferable skills like teamwork, concentration and communication. We are confident that through Mind the Gap the work of Artis will benefit secondary schools and academies, especially during the transition stage as pupils move to a new learning environment.”

Mind the Gap is open to customisation according to need. For young people there are three phases, which can be ‘stand-alone’ units or part of a series. Phase 1 takes place during the summer term, with Artis Specialists working with Year 6 pupils in their feeder primary schools. The schools select from a menu of transitional themes to suit their priorities. A great confidence booster, students take part in a mix of ensemble and group work, which encourages them to voice opinions and make considered choices.

Phase 2 is a five-day summer school held at the secondary school or academy campus. Pupils spend the week developing skills through the creative arts, leading to a performance. This phase highlights cooperation and discipline as tools to success, while new classmates meet in a relaxed and fun environment.

The final phase is a full day of performing arts at the new school or academy. A group of Artis Specialists lead a series of role-play exercises to further develop students’ confidence in communicating. Energetic movement work encourages spatial awareness and highlights good behaviour.

Mind the Gap also offers workshops for staff. This is especially useful for new academy teams, and encourages a fresh perspective as teachers and support staff work together to set up a new centre of learning. The workshops concentrate on group cooperation, collaborative skills and creative learning to stimulate originality in thought and action.

A current user of Artis’ services, Martin Nirsimloo, Assistant Principal of St Matthew Academy in south-east London, has no hesitation in recommending Mind the Gap to primary and secondary schools as well as academies. He said: “Just pick up the phone for an informal chat with the Artis staff about what they can do for your school. We’re an all-through academy with 900 pupils aged from three to 16 years. Artis has created a package for us of dance, drama and music that distinguish between those ages. As just a small example from the range of work Artis is doing, one of our themes has been Latin America. Our primary age pupils have worked on cha-cha-cha dance while our older students have had their energy captured in a positive way through Brazilian capoeira.

“They’re making a great contribution to our performing arts provision, adding to our ambitions as an enterprise academy. Their network of performers and artists is impressive, even more so when you know that each of them only works for Artis after a detailed recruitment and training process that includes enhanced CRB clearance. The organisation provides continuous professional development and mentoring for every artist, so you have complete confidence the performers meet the highest standards every time.”

To find out more and for an informal consultation on Mind the Gap, contact Emma Adams (Whoosh) at whoosh@artiseducation.com or on 0870 863 6494.