Rory Bremner, television presenter & comic

Like all the best ideas, Creative Partnerships is simple. By giving young children the opportunity to experience and enjoy creative activities, we can inspire and encourage them to discover their own creativity.

Tony Blair, Prime Minister, 1997-2007

I believe that we live in the most creative country in the world. A country which fizzes with skill, incentives and ideas. But to keep that creativity alive in the future, we have to engage anew every generation, to pass on old skills and help them learn new ones.

Creative Partnerships is a hugely ambitious project and I'm pleased to be able to lend it my support.

Ferdy Unger-Hamilton, Managing Director of Virgin Records

It is unrealistic to expect the school system to show all that pass through it how to realise their full potential, particularly if it lies in a non-traditional or creative industry. Creative Partnerships helps to show young people what can be possible in these fields by showing them valuable examples, and offering them the chance to meet and work alongside people currently working successfully in these fields. It may just be that the tiniest spark is all that is required.

Professor Helen Storey

Creative Partnerships has given me the privilege and means to work with the greatest of all materials, the human mind, and its potential.

In a time when evidence and statistics have been everything, it continues to go after the brave stuff, the one thing our race cannot be without yet finds so hard to quantify; human imagination and purpose.

Above all other initiatives I know, it offers partnered opportunities to out the intelligent approach, skills and qualities the next generation is going to need to deal with the planetary and humanitarian legacy this one has left it.

Over the years, Creative Partnerships has added new meaning to my work.

The Rt. Hon Tessa Jowell MP, Secretary of State Culture, Media and Sport

The Creative Partnerships scheme works. It is a pioneering programme, which demonstrates how creativity in education can help engage and motivate young people. For the last four years it has brought together teachers, children and young people, and creative professionals in lasting partnerships, which can transform schools and lives.

Nitin Sawhney, Producer, Orchestral Composer and Multi Instrumentalist

When I was at school, ideas of how music was valued were based on western classical traditions and ability to read score sheets. Although I had a strong classical upbringing it would have been very supportive of my interest in music for teachers to have brought in professional artists who may have presented alternative creative possibilities to the school.

Young people are always creatively inspiring as they have not developed the often jaded cynicism of seasoned professionals who frequently forgot the formative spark that forged their original creativity. I take away a lot of ideas from them that I can also apply to my own work.

Chris Green, Chief Executive, British Academy of Composers and Songwriters

There are hundreds of thousands of young people in the UK with a passion for all genres of music. By bringing young people together with professional composers, songwriters, performers, artists and the agencies which support them, Creative Partnerships is helping to ensure that these young people can experience a new approach to learning which may direct them to a fulfilling and creative career.

Michael Palin, Actor

I fully support the aims and objectives of Creative Partnerships. Children have the most direct and spontaneous approach to art and self-expression. All too often this early spark is extinguished through lack of encouragement. I thoroughly applaud any attempt to use and develop the natural abilities and talents of children, rather than see them wasted. By engaging children in art and culture Creative Partnerships will be benefiting us all.

Baby J, UK Hip Hop Producer

A lot of young people's full ability is not represented through their achievements in the educational system. The arts can be a great way for them to start to realise their true potential in life. The work of Creative Partnerships is so important as it uses young people's enthusiasm for the arts to develop new working practices and new ways of creative learning within an educational system.

Gerry Robinson, former Chairman, Arts Council England

Creativity helps young people develop the skills they need to live in and contribute to society. Yet it seems obvious to me that education and the arts have historically not got the best out of one another.
Creative Partnerships will act as a bridge between schools and creative practitioners and will give young people a strong foundation for their individual creativity, communication and social skills that will remain with them as they move into the wider world.

Stephen Daldry, Director, The Royal Court Theatre

Creativity, imagination and innovation are not genetically determined characteristics that emerge whatever the circumstances. Each child in every school needs to be given the opportunity to flourish, and in that opportunity the future of this country resides.

Gavin Turk, Artist

Creative Partnerships is vital to connect up schools with practising artists and gives a real opportunity for children to 'get into' art.

Kyle MacLachlan, Actor

For young people to engage creatively and to understand and explore their culture excites and awakens their potential. It is also important to channel their energies in a positive direction where there is a structure that is relevant to the creative process.

Jo Brand, Comedian

Culture is an essential part of a child's education because it anchors them to their society and enables them to see why Lucien Freud is good, for example, and Jeffrey Archer isn't.

Primary Headteacher, Nottingham

It is a way of skilling up our staff. It is a way of developing their own creativity by working alongside artists and gaining confidence in their own ability as creative people.

Rob Lamond, Commercial Director, Eurotunnel

It was a real pleasure for us to host the launch of Creative Partnerships Kent, which we think is a brilliant initiative all round. We look forward to working with you on new opportunities.

Bryony Lodge, Head of Museums and Cultural Property Division, DCMS

Very impressed with all the activities we saw and the strong commitment of everyone involved. Gives you a real buzz to see all that enthusiasm flying around and the kids really engaged in what they're doing.

Floella Benjamin OBE, Children's Television presenter

Creative Partnerships is a valuable initiative, run by dedicated and motivated individuals whose aim it is to effectively bring art and culture to those young people in our most socially deprived areas. They have my full and total support.

Graham Norton, Television presenter

No matter the who, why, what or where, I believe we all have creative skills somewhere. For some it is easy to focus and express their thoughts and ideas. For others though, it takes the commitment and dedication of organisations like 'Creative Partnerships' to help them discover and develop their hidden potential.

Any scheme such as this has my wholehearted support. Go on - give it a go. You never know what you might find!

Jackie Edmiston, Wexham Secondary School

The pupils were so involved and excited about the events and many produced some excellent work. The teachers thoroughly enjoyed themselves too, many asking if we could do this again next year – or rather saying, 'When we do it next year could we...?'

Tim Vinall, Brockhill Park School, Kent

The 'Europhonix' piece and the dance we witnessed were both of an incredible quality which is rare to experience and it was clear the students involved were very aware of this and took great pride both in their performance and the experience leading up to it.

Judy Berry, Headteacher, Rufford Infant and Nursery School

Despite rigorous work schedules, in depth planning and evaluation processes which working with artists necessitates, we can somehow relax and be ourselves. In a world where we are pulling our hair out with targets, tests and tasks you calm us down.

Steve - Front Page Student, Creative Partnerships, Slough

I see the course as being a great opportunity to learn more skills and develop myself further

Sue Webb, Advanced Skills Teacher, Priory School, Slough

Creative Partnerships is the best thing to happen to this school in the ten years I have been teaching here - the learning and the teaching is of the highest standards ever. It is helping to develop stronger links between parents, children, staff and creative partners. Everyone is becoming so interested in what the children are achieving and how they are learning.

June Bradley, Head Teacher, Wilthorpe Primary School, Barnsley regarding the impact CP has had upon community & parental involvement in school

It has really changed parents' perceptions of school, now they see it as a place where artists come in and work, there's always lots going on. Previously they used to wait at the school gates, now they come into school to see what is happening and find out how they can become involved. That's a real change for an area like this. It's really helped me to make relationships with parents, now I can talk to them about what's happening with our CP programme.

Teacher from Grange Primary, Tees Valley on a project with Theatre Cap-a-pie

The project exceeded our expectations. There were so many educational benefits including: reliance on teamwork, self belief, feeling valued, speaking and listening, analysing unknown text, experiencing an 'evolving' design processes - showing an understanding of characters and motives. Learning can be fun! For the staff involved, we had the benefit of an insight into ways drama can be taught… meticulous and thoughtful planning must have preceded the group's work before the residency.

Teacher, Headley Park Primary School

The teachers found the whole process stimulating. It was a joy to start Monday morning with everyone smiling, the children, parents, the secretary, the caretaker…anyone who popped their head round the classroom door and saw a puppet taking the register. Working with artists as co-learners and educators in partnership rather than as performers and teachers has brought a new vitality and experience to the whole school community.

Paul Graham, Advanced Skills Teacher, Manchester/Salford School

Through a variety of partnerships, children and staff alike have been able to develop their own individual understanding of creative learning and creative teaching … which has raised self-confidence and self-esteem through the work of Creative Partnerships in a number of schools across Manchester and Salford.

Teacher Delegate Evaluation, Creative Partnerships Birmingham & Black Country Conference May 2003

Creative Partnerships is our big chance to change the mindset of education, those involved in it and those whose lives it touches. It's not just arts in education - it's leading how teachers and pupils learn and how it can affect the future workforce and society.

Teacher from Nottingham CP School participating in an action research programme

It is impossible to understate the scale of staff enthusiasm for what had been undertaken and achieved…the overall impact on the school has been huge…staff felt freed up and had developed a very flexible approach to the weekly curriculum…their enjoyment matched that of the children…the focus on creativity…had enhanced capacity for academic achievement.

Durham Teacher on a visit to The Festa de la Mercè, Barcelona with teachers and creative partners

It has inspired me to move away from the structure of QCA and DfES and plan/teach activities as part of a 'topic'. To fully immerse children in an alternative way of life which I have knowledge and experience of.

Paul Carney, Teacher, West Redcar Community School, Tees Valley

Creative Partnerships is the best thing that ever happened to this school.

Teacher, Maths/Animation project, Manchester

To see pupils working together, cooperating with each other is an insight into a new style of teaching. I will now be more relaxed about trying new teaching methods.

Evelyn Wilson, Head of Music, Bishopsgarth School on Royal Opera House Skills Lab, Tees Valley

Inspirational approach to the teaching of singing….The staff returned with renewed enthusiasm and new ideas to pass on to the pupils….One of the most uplifting experiences of my teaching career.

Sculptor Mark Gregory on 'Gragon', his collaboration with St Teath Primary School as part of the North Cornwall Giant's Trail

It's been an excellent opportunity for artists, the community and particularly the school children. I'm always amazed by what they can do.

Sculptors Gary and Thomas Thrussel on the 'Arachnathrone' sculpture developed in collaboration with St Breward Primary School, part of the North Cornwall Giant's Trail

Between us we have created a sculpture that may just have brought back the ancient art of storytelling.

Paul Gazzard, Head Teacher at St Buryan Primary School, Cornwall on the Creative Partnerships and Newlyn Art Gallery project with Artist in Residence Emma Wilson, January 2004

Through this project we are aiming to enhance understanding of the importance of creativity in education, and how that can clearly contribute to raising standards.

Mike Keveth, Deputy Head and ICT representative for Looe Community School, Cornwall on the electricDECEMBER.org project 2003

It has enabled students to see ICT as a creative tool and opened their eyes to possible careers in new media. It has been a thoroughly enjoyable experience that has also served to raise the aspirations and self-esteem of students. Students in the group have learning difficulties with over half of them having special educational needs such as dyslexia, dispraxia, language and communication difficulties and hearing impairments. The project has enabled these students to achieve success and has helped them form a sense of belonging to something they consider worthwhile. I for one will certainly continue to look for more creative projects to excite and inspire students.

Martin Dalton from Coverack School on the Lizard, Cornwall, speaking about the Winter Garden theatre project with the Eden Project's performers

When we were first involved in Creative Partnerships, I wanted to enable the children to get involved in some real performance work. Thanks to the wonderful Winter Garden project with the Eden Project performers, we already had achieved our key objective for the first three years in less than eight months. It's a huge undertaking, not an easy process, making theatre like this. What astounded me was the professionalism of the school children and the performers; working together to create something that was so stunningly good... I can only say that if that's a starting point, I look forward to the coming years.

Janet Pascoe, Teacher at St Buryan Primary School, Cornwall on the Creative Partnerships and Newlyn Art Gallery project with Artist in Residence Emma Wilson.

One thing I have noticed is how valued every pupil feels their opinion is. For example, in the art gallery children were writing very insightful comments on the art work in the visitor's book - they didn't seem to be self-conscious, and obviously felt that their opinion was valid. This freedom and self confidence has spilled over into all subjects. I've noticed that they realise that although there might be a right or wrong answer there are many ways of getting to that - that every avenue is worth considering and every opinion relevant. Also, their levels of maturity, co-operation and teamwork are outstanding for children their age

Year 9 student, CP Slough

It's a hard decision to make about which career choice you want...(Creative Horizons) has opened my eyes to lots of opportunities that I wouldn't have even thought existed.

Head of Creative Arts, St Josephs School, CP Slough

The OTTC media project was FAB!! We all had a fantastic time and the pupils were really motivated and worked really hard. The newspapers produced are now on display in the school library!

Primary Headteacher, Nottingham

It is probably the first time that the pupils have ever had the opportunity to really self-evaluate and actually re-work a piece of art.