About Essex

Essex is one of the most populated counties in England. It is full of diversity, with fascinating cultural challenges and opportunities. For some, it is an extension of Greater London; for others the rural idyll of Constable Country. It has 200 miles of coastline and is a gateway for trade and passenger movement to and from Europe.

The Arts in the school curriculum are supported by traditional links between the Education and Arts Development Services. Strong links are maintained with schools through the Essex Arts Education Strategy and groups such as the Essex Specialist Arts College Forum.

‘Creativity for Life’ was a unique partnership between the participating schools, Arts and Maths Curriculum Development Advisers, the Harlow Education Consortium, Harlow Arts Development Office and the Museum of Harlow. Additional funding was supplied by Essex County Council through the Primary Strategy Standards Fund.

essex students These collaborations enabled a wide range of resources to be brought to bear. One particularly useful dimension involved County Maths Advisers working alongside project artists. As well as providing invaluable information about the maths curriculum to the creative practitioners, it helped break down stereotypes proving that creativity is not the sole preserve of artists, nor a facility in mathematics that of mathematicians.

The Harlow Education Centre and the Museum of Harlow provided stimulating and relaxing environments in which to work.

The impact of this project has been profound in the participating schools. The longer-term aim is to inspire schools across the county to take an innovative and creative approach, not only to teaching and learning in maths, but across the whole curriculum.

Website Links

For the arts education strategy: www.essexartsed.org
For curriculum development: www.e-gfl.org
To find out about artists in residence: www.artistsineducation.org

For Essex County Council: www.essexcc.gov.uk
For the Harlow Education Consortium: www.hecuk.net
For Museum of Harlow: www.harlow.gov.uk/Default.aspx?page=7116

Contact List

Mike Cundy, SIAS Curriculum Development Adviser for Art and Design and project coordinator mike.cundy@essexcc.gov.uk
Ian Roper, SIAS Lead Senior Maths Adviser Ian.roper@essexcc.gov.uk
Frances Tomlin, SAIS Curriculum Development Adviser for maths. frances.tomlin@essexcc.gov.uk
Jon O’Connor, Director, Harlow Education joc@hecuk.net

Kelly Lean, Harlow Arts Development, Harlow Council kelly.lean@harlow.gov.uk
Claire Hooper, Museum Education Officer, Museum of Harlow. Claire.hooper@harlow.gov.uk
Deborah Neubauer, Arts Education and Creative Learning Officer, Essex County Council Deborah.neubauer@essexcc.gov.uk