An innovative partnership, which places cultural learning opportunities at the heart of the curriculum
Iffley Academy is a community special academy for children and young people with complex special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Oxford. Staff from the University’s Gardens, Libraries and Museums (GLAM) including The Ashmolean, have been working with staff and students from the school to co-develop and co-deliver a programme of creative learning opportunities and project work based around the University’s collections.
At the Ashmolean, projects run each year. Students visit the Museum and staff visit students in school. They work with an artist in school and finally organise their own exhibitions which are attended by the wider school community. Each student achieves an Arts Award qualification.
The partnership has resulted in a more diverse audience of young people, and a greater focus on making the venues more accessible and welcoming to SEND children and their families.
