Year One Overview
The Spark project will work directly with between up to 15 schools in Wakefield, offering a free 3-day introduction to Sculpture and the Environment that will include two days of workshops at YSP and one day of complementary education work at the school. The project will be led by a practicing artist with considerable experience in arts education and an understanding of art in relation to the landscape.

Each school will have tailor made activities exploring cross curricular learning, critical analysis, experiential learning and learning outside the classroom. This will be underpinned by teacher training and the development of new resources which aim to embed new creative skills within current teaching practice.

Learning outcomes for the project include: problem solving, team work, communication, listening, personal reflection, debating, being objective & critical, developing own visual language and artistic interpretation. The project will also develop literacy skills through encouraging critical and expressive use of language in response to their observations. Practical artistic skills developed will include drawing, understanding materials and processes and creating a 3D form.

‘I liked spark because we got to use different materials and look at sculptures that seemed strange. I also liked it because I could play and be creative...’ – Pupil.

‘We got to try something new and got our brains thinking.’ – Pupil.

‘I am support staff for a child with Aspergers and didn’t know how he would do. This project was fantastic all the children had a great time especially Joe, he loved and got involved in everything, even the drawing which he sometimes finds hard.’

Did you achieve what you hoped you would with the Spark Project?
‘Achieved much more pupil engagement than expected more differentiation’ – Teacher.

Were there any unexpected outcomes?
‘Some children joined in a lot more than I expected them to and were more creative than they generally are at school. The project did give some children the chance to shine – in different ways – for example one boy was an excellent leader of a group and others showed excellent team working skills.’ – Teacher.