News and Blog – Southampton Cultural Education Partnership

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

Join SCEP Work Experience Week

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

A group of young people participating in arts activity — SCEP Work Experience 2025. Screenshot c. City Eye

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

Apply for Expo 2026: Showcase Your Creative Offer to Teachers & Schools

Opportunity for SCEP Members (Arts & Culture Orgs & Freelancers)

The Southampton Cultural Education Partnership (SCEP) and the Southampton Education Forum (SEF) are delighted to present our 2026 Expo:

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

TWILIGHT SESSION
Thursday 23 April 2026, 4.00–6.00 pm
Hosted by Redbridge Community School, Cuckmere Lane, Southampton SO16 9RJ

This event will combine short CPD sessions with a marketplace of arts and cultural providers, helping teachers connect with partners who can offer support.

Sign-up for a Stall at the Expo

BOOKING FORM – SIGN-UP HERE Deadline Friday 27 March 2026

The Expo explores how arts and culture inspire belonging, creativity and attendance, supporting every child to stay engaged in learning.

Your stand should highlight opportunities you can offeer that enhance pupil engagement in learning—such as banners, displays, resource samples, interactive activities, or creative giveaways.

We will produce an exhibitor listing that includes your contact details and a concise 50‑word elevator pitch explaining how your offer supports student engagement through belonging, creativity and attendance.**

BOOKING FORM – SIGN-UP HERE Deadline Friday 27 March 2026

**Elevator Pitch Prompt (50 words):** Describe clearly and concisely how your organisation inspires belonging, creativity, and attendance in schools. Focus on the specific ways your arts or cultural offer supports pupil engagement and enhances learning. What makes your offer impactful, accessible, and valuable for teachers?

If you have any questions please email scep@soton.ac.uk

Exploring Creative Careers with Oasis Academy Lords Hill Students

On 10 December, Lucy Marder, SCEP Lead joined Oasis Academy Lord’s Hill for its first Careers Fair in years, alongside colleges, universities, and apprenticeship providers from across the city. Year 9–11 students explored future opportunities, and over 50 young people visited the SCEP stand to learn about creative career paths, share their own ambitions, watch video highlights from SCEP’s 2025 Collective Cultural Work Experience Week and pick up information about some of the fantastic cultural offers from SCEP member organisations.

The image below shows just some of their responses to the question: what will you create in your career?

Student responses to the question: what will you create in your career. Responses include: Houses, artwork, beauty, films, and devices that make people happy.

December Social and CPD with Kyriaki ‘Kiki’ Messiou

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.