News and Blog

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

In July 2026, SCEP members Mayflower Theatre, Turner Sims, and Southampton & IOW Music are leading the second year of the SCEP Work Experience Week.

OPPORTUNITY NOW CLOSED DUE TO INTEREST

This collaborative programme will introduce fifteen Year 10 students to the cultural sector and the breadth of careers within it.

We are inviting two additional SCEP member organisations to join us and deliver a two-hour session to help broaden students’ experience and showcase the diversity of our sector in the City.

DEADLINE for Expressions of Interest: Friday 27 March 2026 – OPPORTUNITY CLOSED EARLY DUE TO INTEREST

Based on the development of our 2025 pilot Work Experience Week, we understand and recognise there can be a range of barriers preventing cultural organisations from hosting work experience placements.

This programme seeks to address those barriers, bringing together SCEP member organisations and pooling time and resources – through in-kind support – resulting in a collective cultural work experience offer for local Year 10 students.

Why Get Involved?
• Inspire the next generation and open pathways into cultural careers.
• Showcase your organisation and the roles that make your work possible.
• Strengthen your connection with the city’s cultural education ecosystem.

Watch the video about our SCEP Work Experience Week 2025

What We’re Asking From You
• Deliver a two-hour morning or afternoon session, in kind
• Include an activity linked to your expertise, a Q&A, and – if possible – a venue tour.
• Help young people build key skills: leadership, networking, innovation, problem solving, and teamwork.

Key Details:
• Work Experience Week runs: 6 – 10 July 2026, 9:30am–4:30pm
• Students: 15 in total, from 3 schools, Cantell, Oasis Lord’s Hill, and St George • Locations: Mayflower Studios and participating SCEP venues 

DEADLINE for Expressions of Interest: Friday 27 March 2026

Your contribution could be the moment a young person discovers the future they want to pursue. If your organisation would like to host a session or discuss what’s involved, we’d love to hear from you. Email Louise at SCEP@Soton.ac.uk to arrange a call.

SCEP Work Experience Week 2026 supported in-kind by

December’s SCEP member CPD focused on empowering the voice of primary pupils, an area often overlooked in youth voice work, which tends to centre on Key Stage 3 and above and brought participants from theatre, museums, visual arts and NHS backgrounds. Professor Kyriaki (Kiki) Messiou presented on student voice as a driver for inclusion, emphasising that inclusion is an ongoing process focused on removing contextual barriers rather than labelling students. She shared research and practical strategies, including creative methods like drawings, photo voice, and student researchers, to uncover silent voices and foster participation. Examples from EU-funded projects illustrated how empowering students as researchers improved engagement, confidence and teacher practice. Kiki highlighted the challenge for cultural educators who meet students briefly, urging them to create meaningful, inclusive experiences that may shape lifelong connections with culture.

The discussion explored sustaining project impact, asking deeper questions about pedagogy, balancing choice and structure, and managing power dynamics. Participants reflected on practical strategies – such as offering options, gamifying feedback, and upstream consultation – while acknowledging challenges of limited time, unfamiliar environments, and silent learners.

The key takeaway: connect with every child to inspire future engagement.

Watch the full presentation below.