Vibrant and inclusive range of visual art activities delivered in the summer of 2024.
In the summer of 2024, Art Classes Group delivered a vibrant and inclusive range of activities, offering something for everyone, from the Holiday Activities and Food Programme to engaging public events, creative Saturday classes, and tailored art sessions for SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities). The well-rounded approach combined fun, creativity, and community, making it a standout choice for a summer full of learning and enjoyment.
Holiday Activities and Food programme
The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme is a free programme for primary and secondary school-aged children who are in receipt of benefits related to free school meals.
The Department for Education funds the national programme offering free places and our organisation worked closely with the Slough Borough Council to provide enriching art activities and healthy food.
At Art Classes Group, the HAF programme was effectively introduced with a “5 Weeks, 5 Themes” approach and daily topics. Our artistic programme was thoroughly researched and planned at least a month before the starting date.
Two staff members were involved in planning the activities, followed by several team meetings. All our staff members delivered the programme, with different roles ranging from communications, marketing, planning, and supervision to delivering the art sessions and evaluation. Five volunteers took part in the programme mainly to enhance their artistic and teaching skills. More than 120 children participated in the programme from primary and secondary schools, with a majority from primary schools.
The activities:
The children were highly engaged in hands-on artistic activities, particularly those involving canvas work, glitters, sprinkles, and various embellishments. They also enjoyed wearing “Chef Hats” and “Aprons” and participated in crafting activities such as making paper snakes, decorating headbands, and colouring butterfly wings to wear and flaunt. Playdough sessions were a favourite, allowing them to explore textures and express creativity through their own unique creations. Overall, the activities that provided tactile experiences and opportunities for self-expression were the most successful in capturing the children’s interest.
Besides the art activities, children had the chance to participate in games, physical activities, digital displays and food provided by the Slough Borough Council.
Managing challenging behaviour
For managing challenging behaviour during the HAF summer programme 2024, we set up a combination of clear expectations, positive reinforcement, and tailored approaches to individual needs.
We started by establishing ground rules at the start of each session, making sure they were simple and easy to understand. We designed them on a large canvas and made sure they were displayed so it is visible to everyone. We ensured the studio was inclusive and safe, where all students felt respected and valued. We created calming spaces within the studio where students could go if they needed a break. We encouraged them to take a break, walk around, or engage in a calming activity like drawing quietly if they are feeling overwhelmed.
Feedbacks
From the feedback provided, some children have thoroughly enjoyed everything; some enjoyed mainly the painting activities, some loved to play games, and others enjoyed colouring animals.
Some of the teachers mentioned that we are getting each year more experienced in delivering the programme and this year everything was really smooth. Another teacher mentioned “Some younger children struggled with activities, so I kept them engaged in the play area while supervising others. Handling disrespectful behaviour was also challenging, but manageable.”
The conclusion
We have strongly emphasised that after each class, we reflected on what strategies worked well and what didn’t. Developing an approach as needed, adjusting the environment, rules, or activities to better suit the group’s dynamics. Combining these techniques, we made sure to create a positive, engaging, and inclusive atmosphere in our art studio that minimises challenging behaviour and allows students to thrive creatively.
Public events
A series of events took place during the summer of 2024 in
collaboration with the Queensmere Observatory Shopping Centre Slough. Each event was a fun and engaging theme, combining creative activities with entertainment and
designed for the families.
Titan the Robot Returns (Friday 9th August, 11 AM – 4 PM)
A futuristic and entertaining event featuring Titan the Robot. This day likely involved a mix of robotics entertainment and hands-on creative arts. The week represented a celebration of the beginning of the Olympic Games. For this reason we decided to deliver
cricket sport paper crown decorating activities.
Summer Fun and Circus Skills (Friday 16th August, 11 AM – 4 PM)
A circus-themed event filled with fun activities where children explored circus skills and participated in colour-in mask sessions. The activities encouraged creativity while learning playful circus skills.
Fantastic Football Freestyling (Friday 23rd August, 11 AM – 4 PM)
A football-inspired day with football freestyling demonstrations and interactive activities. Children engaged in crafting football scratch art magnets, combining physical activity with creativity.
Special Exotic Creatures Show (Friday 30th August, 11 AM – 4 PM)
A unique event that introduced children to exotic creatures with a live show featuring animals such as creepy crawlies. Additionally, there was a creative element with sand art activities, likely themed around the animals they encountered.
Saturday Classes
The Saturday Art Classes at the Art Classes Group Centre during the summer holiday 2024 offered a vibrant, creative space for children to explore various artistic techniques and projects. These sessions were designed to be both educational and fun, fostering creativity in a relaxed environment. Each week, participants delved into different themes such as painting, drawing, sculpture, and mixed media, allowing them to express themselves freely while learning new skills.
The classes catered to different age groups and skill levels, ensuring that every child, whether a beginner or more advanced, could thrive. With guidance from experienced art instructors, children learned about colour theory, composition, and design principles through hands-on activities. The relaxed summer atmosphere made the sessions enjoyable, encouraging participants to experiment and develop their artistic voices.
Overall, the summer 2024 Saturday art classes provided a balanced mix of creativity, learning, and fun in a supportive environment.
Summer Projects Impact Report
This context illustrates how the centre engaged a diverse audience through structured programmes and public events, emphasising creativity, learning, and well-being.
Conclusions
The Summer of Art activities have truly been a creative highlight of the season. These initiatives not only provided opportunities for artistic expression but also brought together communities, families, and individuals of all ages to engage with art in fun and meaningful ways.
The Holiday Activities and Food Programme was a resounding success, ensuring that children could access free art sessions while benefiting from nutritious meals. This blend of creativity and care supported families during the school holidays, alleviating concerns around food insecurity and offering a productive, enriching experience for young participants.
The four public events held in the shopping centre created a lively and engaging atmosphere, allowing art to take centre stage in a space frequented by a diverse crowd. These events proved to be a fantastic way to make art more accessible, attracting people who may not have typically attended traditional art venues. The bustling environment added a dynamic energy to the artistic activities, encouraging participation and a deeper community connection.
Lastly, the Saturday classes, designed for all ages, offered a flexible and inclusive way for participants to explore their artistic potential. These classes allowed families to bond over shared creative experiences while also catering to individuals with a passion for art. The intergenerational approach ensured that everyone—from toddlers to seniors—had the opportunity to learn and grow artistically in a supportive environment.
Overall, the Summer of Art activities showcased how art can be a powerful tool for community building, personal development, and accessible engagement. From the youngest to the oldest participants, everyone walked away with new skills, creative inspiration, and memorable experiences.
Looking ahead, we hope these programmes continue to flourish and expand, offering even more opportunities for artistic expression and connection.