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Special needs

How Arts Award can work for you

We have seen a growing number of groups and schools working with young people with special needs achieve great results with Arts Award.

Arts Award can be accessible to young people with learning difficulties because of the design of the qualification. When considering if the qualification is suitable for the young people you work with you may find the following points useful:

  • Support – young people can be supported by their adviser in whatever way is suitable to the young people’s needs. The adviser is also the internal assessor for the young people’s work.
  • Time – there is no time limit for doing the award, young people can take as long as they need to complete. For those not ready for moderation by the time they are 25, you can request special dispensation for a later modeation
  • Evidence – portfolios need to show progress but can take any format suitable to the young person. This can include symbols, photos, scribed work, audio recordings or pictures.
  • Assessment criteria – assessed at National Qualifications Framework Level 1 standard in communication, creativity and art form knowledge and understanding and not on specific art form skill levels. Communication can take any form and does not need to be verbal or written.


What practitioners say:

'In working towards the Arts Award our students learn more about themselves and their peers and begin to understand where they fit in the world around them, which is often a confusing place for a person with learning disabilities' Sharon Ainscough, Teacher, Chatsworth School

'The format of the award treats the participant as the expert and encourages a shared learning experience for the participant and their peers. This can create a great sense of ownership which in turn empowers young people to speak with confidence about their achievements' Jamie Patterson, Artistic Director, So Many Words

'It is unusual to see a qualification that is fully accessible to all different sorts of learners. It measures their personal journey. We offer Arts Award from Year 10 onwards timetabled and supported by lunch-time and out of hours clubs.' Keith Youngson, Deputy Head Foxhollies Special School



The young people’s booklets are available in the following formats:

Audio mp3 files, Braille, Large print and can be ordered through enquiries@artsaward.org.uk

For other special requests please contact the helpdesk on 0207 820 6178

 

Further information

Sue Caudle explores the Arts Award and its relevance for young people with learning difficulties in the Nasen publication read on>

A guide for professionals outlining the importance of engaging people with PMLD (profound moderate learning difficulties)  in the arts, and to explain the steps you can take to make the experience as enjoyable and productive as possible more> 

 

Share your story

Why not link up with other advisers and professionals working in this context and share ideas by joining a special Arts Award and Special Needs discussion group on LinkedIn

If you want to tell us your story and be featured as a case study please fill in one of our questionnaires click here

 

 

Adviser training

From time to time we run specialised adviser training aimed at those working with young people with learning difficulties. The information is the same as the standard Bronze/Silver adviser training, but all case studies and examples are drawn from special needs contexts. DIY Theatre Company, Manchester are an Arts Award centre running the Arts Award in this way, and they, alongside the West Midlands Agency run our specialised training. Look out for their dates here>