Culture Connects: Free Twilight CPD Event for Teachers & Educators

Together the Southampton Cultural Education Partnership (SCEP) and Southampton Education Forum (SEF) present the 2026 Expo:

Culture Connects: Inspiring Belonging, Creativity, and Attendance Harnessing the power of arts and partnerships to keep every child engaged in learning

📅 Thursday 23 April 2026
🕓 4:00–6:00pm (Twilight Session)
📍 Redbridge Community School, Southampton – parking available

It’s free but places are limited – complete the form to reserve your place via:  “Culture Connects” SEF/SCEP Expo 2026

This vibrant event brings teachers and cultural partners together through short CPD sessions and a dynamic marketplace – all exploring how arts and culture inspire belonging, creativity, and attendance in schools.

By taking part in this event, you will…

• Discover practical ways the arts can inspire belonging, creativity, and improved attendance in your school, college or learning setting
• Connect directly with arts and cultural partners who can support learning through high-quality creative opportunities
• Build your confidence and insight through bite-sized CPD and sector expertise 

If you have any queries about the event please email scep@soton.ac.uk

The 2026 Expo includes:

• Welcome from our hosts Redbridge Community School
• Redbridge performing arts students with a taster from their forthcoming musical
• Scene setting from our Chairs Debbie Mackenzie (SEF) & Kath Page (SCEP)
• Opening words from Donna Tandy, Southampton City Council Director of Education
• CPD nuggets:
  • Independent dance artist Natalie Johns: making the most of the arts to teach non-arts subjects 
    • Sally Howells, Assistant Head at Compass School/SEF Pastoral Operations Chair: building arts and creative activities into the school day to support students emotional, social, mental and physical wellbeing
    • Bronte Bailey, Assistant Headteacher at Stoneham Park Primary Academy: strengthening teaching and learning approaches at through the national Creativity Collaboratives programme
• Refreshments and networking in our marketplace of creative and cultural providers