Welcome to The Mighty Creatives (TMC) Blog

We asked our schools to nominate a Creative Agent for the TMC Creative Agent Award. Here are some of the testimonials: -

"Fi Burke has been our Agent for Change Schools. She has always been very professional and such a support for our school. She is obviously passionate about the Creative Process and a great advocate for TMC and has even joined the Governing Body of our school. She has done way over the hours she has been paid for and is a true professional and Creative Agent. She has been a pleasure to work with and will be a great loss to the school."
Jo Beattie, AST Wilsthorpe School.

"Amy Christer has been a fantastic asset to our school this year. She has provided excellent support and encouragement to set up our MEdia project and her work will continue to have a positive impact on our children's lives for many years to come."
Claire Mulhern, Knighton Fields Primary School

Andy Barrett - "Although the management of a large scale project involving multiple creative practitioners has the potential to create a number of logistical problems, there is no doubt that the unswerving focus of our Creative Agent has led towards the highly effective outcomes of this year's Change Schools Programme at The Nottingham Emmanuel School.

"Highly creative approaches to learning have been facilitated and young leaders have grown in their talents, skills, self-confidence and personal choice. Most importantly, the action research that this project has allowed leads the school to ensure that the style and content of this project will continue in the life of the school, even once the the project window and funding have expired. Thank you." Andy Wolfe, The Nottingham Emmanuel School

"I've created a testimony for Rob Aitken in the form of an acrostic and would love you to pass it on to him;
Reliable
Optimistic
Businesslike
Articulate
Ingenious
Tenacious
Knowledgeable
Enabling
Noteworthy"
Sue Miller, St Giles School

"Sue Khan - At first it was a glimmer of light as we started out journey .. then a flicker……turning to a steady glow … and finally the way has been illuminated for us to continue our creative exploration.
"Without the hand of Sue Khan holding our light to show us the way we would not have made it……I would have drowned under paperwork, the Children Centre Workers captured inside cane sculptures and the artists would have been lost in fabric jungles and left fighting mutant vegetable people !!!
Many, many thanks to everyone who has enriched our lives and led us to find the treasure on our doorstep!!!" Liz Morris, Children Centre Co-Ordinator, Newhall Children's Centre

David Matthew - "Firstly, respect goes to David Matthews. A top agent, not only for the help with the sorting out, but making a brew on arrival for meetings, the introduction of fruity tea in the staffroom, teaching the children to make owl noises, turning emails in poetic masterpieces, making up Driving instructor company names, and getting the paperwork done to leave plenty of time for 'chewing the cud' and putting the world to rights!

"He must stay involved in the mighty creatives as he is a superb asset to the team.

"My thanks also go to Ruth Jones, who i believe is no longer involved with TMC but was a brilliant agent! and all the team at your end involved in running the projects over the years. It's been brilliant and our children have really benefitted from your help and involvement."
Colin Howard, Holly Primary School

Jodie Creswell – "South Normanton Nursery School has worked with the mighty creatives on two brilliant projects over the last two years.
"A big thank you to Jodie Cresswell who has helped us with the organisation, form filling and evaluation of both our projects."
From all the children and staff at South Normanton Nursery School

We then announced the three winners of the Mighty Creative Agent Awards:-

• Sara Giddens

"She is very easy to talk to, she makes us feel comfortable to say what we want about how everything is going."
Kelvin (Year 4 Pupil)

"She smiles a lot and is always really happy to see us when she comes to our school."
Chloe (Year 4 Pupil)

"He has been fantastic throughout this project, always a positive word to get you back on track when work load was tough. I felt that throughout the project she has really understood our aim and supported myself and the children in anyway she could. She had a lovely relationship with the children and they looked forward to their meetings as they felt she valued what they said." (Lead teacher)

"Tireless in their drive to bring creativity to schools and to make positive changes to those who inhabit them."

"A fantastic mentor and role model for the TMC programme. ‘The fountain of knowledge’ and a great individual for sharing good practice with others."

"For being a committed member of the team and being inspirational in what she has achieved as an agent. Her knowledge and understanding of schools, young people and what makes it all tick is invaluable."

"For having high standards; for being knowledgeable, supportive and generous enough to share her experience and expertise."

"A fabulous mentor in every way!"

• Al Muir

"Always smiling, cares for and works hard to develop relationships."

"Consistent, clear, reliable, brilliant."

"It’s [….] that I turn to if I have any issues with my schools and need help! He is the voice of reason and gives excellent advice. I trust his judgement and think he’s an all round super Agent!"

"A big thank you to […….] for all his help and support over the past year."Janine Keel and Lincoln St. Christopher's media team

• Tricia Kelly

"Tricia Kelly started out as our Creative Agent at Uplands Infant school and ended up being a much loved, reassuring, friendly face whose support to myself, the school and the creative practitioners was priceless. Feedback from children, staff and practitioners show that everyone felt she was there to help 'them'.

"Our project ' The Anywhere Project' was also Tricia's project…..Can't thank you enough Tricia for going above and beyond what your role as the Creative Agent included. The relationship was a stunning example of the wonders that collaboration brings-the sum of which is greater than all the parts."
Ami Shirley Lead coordinator for 'The Anywhere Project'@ Uplands Infant School

"Tricia has worked with us at Redmoor High School on the "Footprints Project."

"Tricia has been a constant supporter of the project and has attended every visit the pupils involved have been on. Her commitment to supporting the pupils and the school has been a great asset to the project, providing encouragement and guidance to both pupils and staff. It has been great having Tricia as a Creative Agent, her enthusiasm has certainly rubbed off onto everyone who has worked on the project.

"Tricia has been very proactive in her communication and work, she has been a valued team player and a pleasure to work with.
"Thank you for everything - we WILL continue the good work Tricia has begun."
Chloe Sanders, Redmoor High School

"Tricia has been a most helpful partner, not least in her willingness to be flexible when working alongside staff such as myself. She has never once shown her frustration with the many difficulties we have encountered. Her calm, patience and willingness to get on with things has been a source of constant security in co ordinating this project." Nigel Roberts, Redmoor High School

To read more about the Creative Agent Celebration event click here.

Pupils, parents and teachers from Deanshanger Primary School went on a trip to London to see the pupil’s rainforest artwork at the Saatchi Gallery this week.

Richard Clark, chief executive of The Mighty Creatives, joined the pupils on their visit to the capital.

He said, “I had an amazing morning at the Saatchi Gallery with the children, staff and parents from Deanshanger Primary school. Their work looked simply stunning in the gallery and, I think it's fair to say, the children were overwhelmed by the experience. The quality of the finished piece and the insightful way the children talk about it really show the tremendous power of partnerships between schools and professional artists.
“If you're passing the Saatchi, go and have a look... it will take your breath away.”

To read the full article click here.

Inspirational rainforest artwork on display at Saatchi Gallery

Pupils from Deanshangers Primary School admiring their work at Saatchi Gallery

Richard Clark, chief executive of The Mighty Creatives, (centre) with pupils from Deanshanger Primary School in front of their display at Saatchi Gallery

Pupil from Deanshanger Primary School exploring other exhibitions at Saatchi Gallery