The InspirED consortium – comprising Somerset Art Works, Somerset Film, SPAEDA and Take Art - has been awarded a three-year contract by the Somerset Schools Compact to deliver the new universal arts and education network to which all educators working with young people are encouraged to subscribe.

Project manager for InspirED Phil Shepherd, says “The arts inspire and engage, raise confidence and aspiration so this is about the entitlement of all young people aged 0-19 to have access to high quality, meaningful creative arts, performing arts and media experiences both in and out of school. This is also about making it as easy as possible for anyone working with young people in education to build essential skills, network with peers, book professional workshops, arrange arts and media events, get involved in national initiatives or plan a cross curricular project.”

Barry Bates, Chief Executive of the Somerset Association of Secondary Head Teachers and the Schools Compact partnership lead for this initiative adds, “InspirED will increasingly offer a welcome and vital service at this time when the arts and arts education are under pressure at a national level. Only this morning a Head Teacher from one of our highest performing secondary schools expressed the view to me that children achieve better in all subjects when the creative atmosphere in the school creates a ‘can do’ culture. InspirED will mean many more of those exciting opportunities for our young people as well as professional development opportunities for teachers and other staff.”

More information on InspirED and how to subscribe to the scheme can be found by visiting www.inspiredsomerset.org.uk or emailing inspired@spaeda.org.uk or phoning 01458 254 265

For information on InspirED events and opportunties in Dance, Drama and Early Years please visit the Take Art InspirED website.