Authoring Our Own Stories (GATE & ARAEA)

Members of the Gender Art and Transformative Education (GATE) special interest group and Anti-Racist Art Education Action (ARAEA) group are invited to join this one-off e-meeting with Sandra Vacciana, project leader of Authoring Our Own Stories.

Sandra has kindly agreed to join us for this meeting, and with the young people involved in the project will be sharing more about their important work:

Authoring Our Own Stories is a youth recovery project examining how young people’s identities impact on their access to services. Over five years, arts-based workshops with young people have explored how we can reshape services locally, regionally, and nationally to improve the offer in place to young people and break the cycle of inequality.

The project has been funded for by the National Lottery Community Fund. The programme is being led by Partnership for Young London in partnership with Youth Focus North West, Youth Focus South West and Yorkshire and Humber Regional Youth Work Unit.

Dr Suzy Tutchell, ITE art and design primary lecturer at University of Reading and chair of GATE, is hosting the meet up.

Please note: this event is open to members of GATE and ARAEA only and will be hosted on Microsoft Teams. Please contact Sophie Leach if you would like to attend the meeting and for joining info.

The Teachers Network: Making, doing, thinking together

An artistic provocation led by Dr Laurence Dube-Rushby.

Reserve a spot

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About The Teachers Network, Andover

Tina and Laurence say:

'We aim to provide a space for creative exchange, discussions and support for creative practitioners engaged in educational roles within and beyond institutional settings.

We welcome you to this creative conversational space, including an artistic provocation by Dr Laurence Dube-Rushby (17 January), to have the space and time to hear you, to network and map out what you need.

We are both on NSEAD's Council, a powerful advisory body to the parliamentary committees and DfE. This is your chance to have a say in the shaping of the art curriculum. We want to hear from you, and in turn we will enlighten you on the influence and role of NSEAD.

We strongly believe that our identities as Artist-Educator-Researchers are fundamental to the way we deliver pedagogical work. Have your voice heard and nurture your creative self by joining us (at one or both events).

This is the start of something new: building a supportive network is something we would like to do in the region and, as artists and educators, we want to find our people in the local area. We look forward to meeting you.'

The Teachers Network: An evening of cheese, wine & discussion

Join The Teachers Network, Andover for an evening of creative chats, cheese and wine, with fellow artist-educators!

NSEAD Council members, Dr Laurence Dube-Rushby and Tina Scahill FRSA, invite you to join them for a relaxed in-person meet-up where creative practitioners working in educational roles in and around Andover, Test Valley, and beyond can come together to discuss, share ideas and engage in creative exchange.

It’s the perfect opportunity to connect and engage in meaningful conversations with fellow art teachers and creatives.

Bring your passion for art and creativity!

Reserve a spot

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About The Teachers Network, Andover

Tina and Laurence say:

'We aim to provide a space for creative exchange, discussions and support for creative practitioners engaged in educational roles within and beyond institutional settings.

We welcome you to this creative conversational space, including an artistic provocation by Dr Laurence Dube-Rushby (17 January), to have the space and time to hear you, to network and map out what you need.

We are both on NSEAD's Council, a powerful advisory body to the parliamentary committees and DfE. This is your chance to have a say in the shaping of the art curriculum. We want to hear from you, and in turn we will enlighten you on the influence and role of NSEAD.

We strongly believe that our identities as Artist-Educator-Researchers are fundamental to the way we deliver pedagogical work. Have your voice heard and nurture your creative self by joining us (at one or both events).

This is the start of something new: building a supportive network is something we would like to do in the region and, as artists and educators, we want to find our people in the local area. We look forward to meeting you.'

Oak Breakfast Brush Up | Session 2

Session 2 | How to adapt the Oak Art and Design Curriculum for your setting

For this session Emily is joined by Aletia Aston-Swords. Aletia will share more about her role on the project and discuss the practical ways in which the lessons can be adapted across different primary and secondary settings.

Format:
Introduction to the breakfast brush up session and guests | Emily Gopaul (5 mins)
In conversation | Emily Gopaul & Aletia Aston-Swords (25 mins)
Q&A | Emily Gopaul & Aletia Aston-Swords (5mins)

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Register now

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About the Oak Breakfast Brush Up Sessions

Join Emily Gopaul and members of the NSEAD creator team for a series of focused conversations exploring key questions and themes within the art and design curriculum.

Each 30-minute session offers insights into the thinking behind the resources, along with practical guidance on how to use them effectively in your teaching.

Oak Breakfast Brush Up | Session 1

Session 1 | Setting the tone: how principles and partnerships shaped the curriculum

For this session Emily is joined by Michele Gregson, General Secretary and CEO of NSEAD. Michele and Emily will discuss our shared commitment to access, inclusion, and teacher support, the assembly of a diverse, expert team, and how frameworks like Big Landscape, Visualise and the National Curriculum shaped a rigorous and inclusive curriculum.

Discover the story behind the partnership and the practical insights it offers for teaching art and design today.

Format:
Introduction to the breakfast brush up sessions | Emily Gopaul (5 mins)
In conversation | Emily Gopaul & Michele Gregson (25 mins)
Q&A | Emily Gopaul & Michele Gregson (5 mins)

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Register now

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About the Oak Breakfast Brush Up Sessions

Join Emily Gopaul and members of the NSEAD creator team for a series of focused conversations exploring key questions and themes within the art and design curriculum.

Each 30-minute session offers insights into the thinking behind the resources, along with practical guidance on how to use them effectively in your teaching.

SEAD Autumn Event

Join the NSEAD London & South-East Art & Design (SEAD) Network Group for their Autumn event, which will focus on the subject, 'Critique - the purpose & process of critical review'.

Using DON’T KILL THE ART SCHOOL (the documentary film about the Slade School of Fine Art) as context, participants will be encouraged to explore approaches to critique and critical review. This event aims to develop critical practice and the management of approaches and the pedagogy of critique.

There is no cost for attending. Please email Ged Gast gedgast@nsead.org to secure a place. There are limited spaces for this event - places will be allocated in order of receipt.

Please note this is a Sunday event, to give members who have been unable to attend on Saturdays an additional option. The SEAD organisers will take soundings about the alternative day: they aim to listen, and be flexible and responsive to your thoughts.

NSEAD Summer Gathering & Awards Ceremony 2026

Celebrating the very best of art, craft and design education.

Join us at The National Gallery's new Roden Centre for Creative Learning on Saturday 20 June to celebrate our 2026 NSEAD Award nominees and winners, and connect with other art, craft and design educators.

Since 1888, the NSEAD professional learning community has been at the forefront of advancing better practice in art, craft and design education. The NSEAD Awards shine a spotlight on the remarkable work of our members across the United Kingdom, celebrating their dedication, creativity and impact.

These awards recognise individuals, schools and organisations who have championed our subject, challenged boundaries, inspired change and demonstrated innovation within the sector.

Let's raise the profile of our community, our subject and its learners, together.

Double the celebration: The summer gathering will be preceded by the National Art & Design Education Conference on Thursday 18 June, online. Delegates have the option to join us for one, or both days.

 

Early bird registration (until 20 April 2026)

The conference and summer gathering are open to both members and non-members of NSEAD.

NSEAD Members: £10.00 - £20.00

The annual conference is a key NSEAD member benefit, included in your subscription: members are only required to pay a nominal registration fee of £10 for the conference, and receive discounted rates for the summer gathering.

Non-members: £18.00 - £143.00

Register today