SENsory Atelier: Transforming SEN/D education through arts and culture

Marianne Scahill-Pape, Learning and Outreach Manager and Lisa Jacques, SENsory Atelier Programme Manager, Attenborough Arts Centre, University of Leicester
SENsory Atelier enables SEN/D CYP to lead their own learning journeys. We will share our experiences of how the arts can play a crucial role in supporting an inclusive curriculum for all, with examples of partnership working, how to be inclusive and outcomes rich, and exploring the disability gain model of inclusion for a wider audience.

This session is BSL interpreted

Speakers: Marianne Scahill-Pape, Learning and Outreach Manager and Lisa Jacques, SENsory Atelier Programme Manager, Attenborough Arts Centre, University of Leicester

SENsory Atelier provides an innovative model for placing arts and culture at the heart of SEND education. It has a proven transformational impact on pupils’ learning, confidence and communication.

Our presentation will explore the SENsory Atelier approach through:

• An overview of its beginnings through to our aspirations for the future.

• Share our 10 Core Principles of the programme.

• How we work with artists, schools, children and young people, their families/carers and the wider community.

• How we develop our partnership approach with schools and local businesses.

• How we work with Special and Mainstream schools.

• How we explore the galleries as a classroom and the classroom as a gallery.

• How we evidence the impact of learning through our Evaluation Framework linked to the curriculum and ILP(individual Learning Plans)/EHCP (Education and Health Care Plan) targets.

• The impact of winning the Museums + Heritage Learning Award 2025.

• How others can connect/get involved, and how we can learn from our cultural friends in the sector through sharing good practice.

Marianne Scahill-Pape