ABOUT
Watch this Space Teacher Placement Scheme
Galleries were funded to host teachers and initial teacher trainees from non-visiting schools on placement for three days.
By getting to know the gallery, its education programme and the opportunities for partnership working, the teachers and galleries
were supported to organise student visits and build long-term relationships. Gallery hosts attended a planning session organised by engage.
Teachers received five days' cover payment to enable them to attend two training days organised by engage, and to spend time at the gallery,
plan and carry out a student visit and develop project work. They attended an introductory training day with their gallery hosts at the
start of the programme. At the end of the programme all the partnerships met again to share their experiences and to report on the projects
they had devised together.
“Watch this Space inspired me to take a fresh look at how I was teaching and motivated me to try different
approaches and take more risks. I found it gave me renewed energy and enthusiasm in all aspects of my teaching. The feedback from
all of the students was very positive; they would like to continue workshop activities and visits. They were able to engage with
complex issues, presented clearly and logically in an unfamiliar but inviting setting, which encouraged them to extend their
knowledge and understanding.”
Gill Merrygold, textiles teacher, Kings School Ottery St Mary and Centre for Contemporary Art in the
Natural World (CCANW), WTS7
“As a trainee teacher Watch this Space has been a hugely valuable experience for me. It has given me an insight
into gallery education and its value in the classroom. I think is essential and important.”
Erin Bushell, PGCE Art and Design Student, Liverpool John Moores University, WTS5
“Through Watch this Space we've opened up a dialogue that has some real strength and sustainability, and a
partnership that we can continue to build upon. The learning will be critical in the development of future education work with schools.”
Jamie Wyld, Head of Media Arts, Lighthouse, WTS7
Watch this Space Gallery Educator Placements
Gallery educators and artist educators wishing to develop their work with schools were funded for nine days. They arranged a
three-day placement in schools which regularly use galleries, to gain knowledge of the curriculum, teaching and learning methods
and how gallery visits impact on classroom teaching. Gallery educators attended three days of training with engage and received
three additional days' funding to complete project work related to the placement.
“Watch this Space will in some way inform all that I do in the future. This project allowed me not
only to observe the secondary curriculum in action, but to actively play a part in supporting and challenging teachers and pupils
to try out different ways of working. It has benefited me on a personal and professional level, which will ultimately benefit the
gallery in terms of generating more effective sessions and resources for an even wider range of teachers and pupils in the future.”
Ami Hallgarth, Formal Learning Co-ordinator, The Hepworth Wakefield, WTS7
“Watch this Space was a positive experience, the timing and nature of which has directly contributed
to the development of my career in gallery education.”
Kirsty Lowry, Freelance artist educator, now in permanent gallery education post, WTS5
“Involvement in Watch this Space has been essential in developing the required knowledge and experience
to improve the Galleries' educational programmes.”
Lee Broughall, Gallery educator, James Hockey Galleries, University of the Creative Arts, Farnham, WTS6