Creative organisations we spoke to can find it challenging to support and mentor young students over a whole week, particularly if the staff team is small. In some organisations the management teams are not necessarily experienced or confident in managing and mentoring under 16’s. Sometimes the school work experience dates just don’t match the best opportunities they could offer as part of a creative project.
Working with Royal Pavilion and Museums, Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival, Brighton & Hove Music & Arts, Fabrica and Same Sky, we’ve been exploring alternative models to pilot in schools. In 2019 we collaborated to offer Longhill Secondary School a Creative Industries work placement for 10 students.
Students went to a series of 4 taster days in different organisations, and then split up for a day of mentoring at one of the organisations on the final day. The model allows students to discover a wide range of creative careers that they may not know about and choose where to have more targeted mentoring.
For organisations, their resources are directed in a taster and mentoring day, reducing the pressure on staff. For schools the collaboration offered 10 places and increased capacity. While successful and diverse, this model is intensive for students, and not suitable for all.
What's next
In 2020, we are adapting the idea of shared creative industries placements by sharing across pairs of organisations. Same Sky and Fabrica will offer a shared week in visual arts, Royal Pavilion and Museums and Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival will offer a shared week in performance and heritage.
Our aim is to explore different delivery methods and experiences for young people as schools begin to diversify their work experience offer, provide good career guidance along the Gatsby principles.