Advisers’ work we’re loving this Valentine’s Day ♡

Daisy Stephen Sandringham School

'Daisy is an artist and Art & Design Teacher within our faculty. Daisy is a trained adviser for Bronze and Silver and has inspired our learners by sharing her own practice including, most recently, when she was able to share with them her own experience of exhibiting her work at The Royal Academy Summer Show.

'Daisy is always interested in talking to students about their Arts Award and the experiences they have as part of it. Students love her kind and nurturing approach - as summed up by one student: "She is really kind to the class and she is a great teacher - her sessions are never boring and I love sharing my ideas with her".

'Daisy embodies everything you would hope for an Arts Award adviser to be - kind, caring and genuinely interested in talking to the students about all of the wonderful activities they are part of. Daisy is so calm in her approach and this in turn creates a safe space each week for students to relax and share their progress. We would like to nominate Daisy for enabling our students to enjoy the Arts Award so much and for her continued support as an Arts Award adviser for Sandringham School.'

Charlotte Jones Cheviot Learning Trust

'Charlotte has been an Arts Award adviser for over ten years and has supported a wide range of students through Arts Award Discover, Explore, Bronze and Silver. She is deeply committed to providing the highest quality arts education and inspires every pupil she works with through her enthusiasm, creativity and passion for the arts.

'Alongside Deputy Headteacher, Jill Woolley, Charlotte has developed an innovative Bronze Arts Award delivery at Newminster Middle School. This includes pupils designing and creating scenery and backdrops for school productions, performing at local nursing homes in Morpeth, and leading workshops for health and wellbeing days for younger pupils. She has also supported pupils in developing resources for the school’s annual Morpeth Comic Relief event, including this year’s choreographed dance and filmed tuition video, which will be used by over 1,500 pupils.

'Charlotte also actively promotes Arts Award beyond the school, writing blogs and appearing in videos. Under her guidance, Newminster Middle School has achieved Trinity Champion Centre status for the past six years. Her dedication, leadership and advocacy have had a lasting impact on pupils, colleagues and the wider community, making her a highly deserving nominee.'

Kim Hutchinson Arty Artisans

‘Kim Hutchinson is a committed Arts Award adviser for Bronze, Silver, and Gold, recognised for her creative and expressive approach to home-educated students, both online and in person. With an exceptional method, she skillfully plans and conducts personalised sessions that cater to each student's needs, interests and aspirations. Her dedication to planning sessions shines through fostering enthusiasm and excitement among her students. Having successfully guided over 100 students through their Arts Awards, Kim's dedication is clear in the enthusiasm her students show—they eagerly anticipate her engaging sessions every week!'

Marinela Caldarus Art Classes Group

'Marinela has over 10 years’ experience and supports more than 30 students each year from Discover to Gold levels. She adapts the Arts Award logbook for visual art, works closely with students on an individual basis (including SEND learners) and leads our biennial exhibitions which allow young people to publicly present their work.'

Mukesh Kumar Art at the Heart

'Aside from the obvious passion and commitment, Mukesh has driven a complex and interconnected programme of delivery that offers really valuable experiences for young artists in terms of skills development in the visual arts but also festival event management and exhibition curation. We embrace live project opportunities and co-ordinate two family oriented festivals in Solihull that give public facing opportunities to the young people who attend. This ranges from helping to plan the festivals, the activities, to working with the public, to sharing their skills in a supportive environment. Young artists can see the range of skills required to work in the arts from producing, to creating, to curating and public engagement. Additionally volunteering opportunities within our own organisation create additional opportunities for our young artists to experience working within the sector from studio management to technical support for workshops.'

Congratulations to these advisers for their inspiring work ♡!