‘I am Creative’ was a pilot initiative in Ireland involving Head Teachers, classroom teachers and support staff from 6 special schools, along with 6 artists. The project aimed to collaboratively design a training programme to support and improve creative practice in special education settings by challenging school staff, together with the artists, to try new approaches and to think deeply about pupil agency. It was great to be part of the design team on this fantastic project. My contribution to the training focused on the value of safe, nurturing spaces for creativity; working without words; and rethinking ideas of agency for those with the greatest barriers to engagement. I also spoke about recognising the value of emotional meaning, and ‘affective’ learning for children with profound intellectual disabilities.

(Photo credit Caroline Conway & Jennifer Buggie)