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Friends

These are those people that we have worked with a number of times - we class them as friends.

We have worked with many different departments within NCC including Libraries Service, Study Support and LASI (formally NIAS see our Training page for more information). For more details on project specifics, visit our Projects Page.

Artists In Learning

As founding members of the Artists In Learning Network we attend regular training and networking opportunities, as well as being actively involved in such initiatives and programmes as the Northamptonshire Artists in Learning Mentoring Scheme. We have also designed and delivered training on how to approach creative projects in schools and are regularly invited to give presentations on our methods of approach to working with children and young people. We also sit on the CDP Development Group which comprises key partner organisations, practitioners and teachers.

Catalyst Theatre Arts is one of the key arts organisations in Northamptonshire delivering creative projects with children and young people and have many years experience in the sector.

They have been commissioned by NCC over the past 6 years for a range of creative projects with children, young people, their parents and communities, in both curriculum contexts and out of hours projects with targeted groups. Recently Catalyst delivered training to the artists in learning network which was highly successful and we received excellent feedback.........Their professional approach ensures they are always reliable delivering consistently to deadlines and regularly going above and beyond our expectations.

Anna-Marie Whitaker-Johnson, Arts in Education Coordinator, Northamptonshire County Council

Disabled Children’s Service

We have run summer holiday activities and projects for the Disabled Children’s Service in Northamptonshire for a number of years now. Initially we ran single workshops in music and movement and this developed into offering two day Theatre Making experiences that bring together young people with varying disabilities to explore stories and themes where they shape what happens.

They’re still talking about it! Yesterday we sang their songs again as the words were still on the walls. I’ve never done anything like this before. Every child took part at their own level. It was absolutely brilliant.

Aileen O'Connor, Development Worker, Disabled Children's Service, Northamptonshire County Council.

The Royal & Derngate

We've worked with Royal & Derngate Theatres on many different projects over many years - directing youth theatre productions, virtual plays in primary schools, disability projects, workshops linked to shows and their weekly family sessions, Move, Make and Do to name but a few. We continue to work closely with them in their education work and look forward to finding new ways to engage new and existing audiences through our partnership work.
We like to work with Catalyst Theatre Arts as we know that we share the same values and the same high quality standard of work. Catalyst also have a specialist knowledge of producing innovative music projects and work with special needs families which helps support the work of our department. We have worked with Suzanne Oliver for years now, so her and the company are friends and an extended extra member of our arts team. Dani Parr, Associate Director Visit Royal & Derngate's website

The Mighty Creatives (TMC)

The Mighty Creatives (TMC) is the young people's creative development agency for the East Midlands. Their programmes and partnerships prepare children and young people for a lifetime of leadership, innovation and enterprise by giving them the creative skills to drive positive change in their lives and communities.

We worked with TMC as Creative Agent for the Creative Partnerships programme for three years and are now members of their Learning Service Provider Pool.

As a young people's creative development agency in the East Midlands, working with Catalyst Theatre Arts is an inspiration - their creative work with children is stunning and thoughtful, and they work in partnership with flexibility and vision.

Karen Birch, Director of Sector Development.
Visit TMC's website

South End Junior School

We’ve worked intensively with South End Junior School as their Creative Partner for two academic years through their Creative Partnerships programme. We initially started out working with a core group of 10 Year 5 students, or Creative Experts to develop their knowledge and understanding of creativity. We then became their Creative Agent and continue to work alongside staff, students and parents and govenors to develop creative leadership throughout the school. A truly inspirational school, we love them!

Visit South End Junior's website

Boulevard Primary Partnership

We have run a number of one-off events and projects for these two schools over the years. From literacy based projects to develop children’s creative writing to workshops linked to history. A three day Native Tribal project was designed to encourage collaboration and listening skills with the Year 2 class and utilised many outdoor spaces.

We also developed a local area project where the children decided to make a documentary about their school and local area to demonstrate why Downs Barn is 'A Good Place To Live.' The children planned, wrote, directed, filmed and presented the film which was premiered to the rest of the school to celebrate the end of the half term topic.

Most recently we developed the use of music and singing in the Foundation Stage and 'Whose Crime Is It Anyway' a literacy scheme of work for Year 6 prior to their SATS.

We are continuing this focus on attainment in literacy through a transition project for years 2 and 3 with funding secured through the Ernest Cook Trust.

Visit the Boulevard Primary Partnership Website

Our Tiny Tunes baby and toddler music sessions have been running in various Children’s Centres in Milton Keynes for over three years now.

Visit our Early Years pages to find out more about these sessions.