Making space for creativity: Why teachers need time to be inspired

By Madeline Pike, Head of Learning and Engagement at Goodwood Art Foundation 

In October, I was delighted to welcome teachers to Goodwood Art Foundation for Teachers Meet and Create – an evening of creative exploration, conversation and connection, and the launch of our new Teacher CPD Programme. 

Over the past year, we've had the pleasure of working with teachers and their pupils through our Schools Programme. Along the way, we've also been listening carefully to the teachers themselves, particularly through our Teachers’ Forum, to understand what they need from us and how we can make our offer as meaningful as possible. 

One thing has come through loud and clear: teachers value opportunities to develop their knowledge and skills, but they also need time to find inspiration, exchange ideas and connect with others. And most importantly, they need opportunities to nurture their own creativity too.   

This thinking has shaped our new Teacher CPD Programme. We want to create opportunities for teachers to step outside their everyday routines, try something different and rediscover the curiosity and enjoyment that sit at the heart of creative learning. 

Looking beyond the classroom   

Our evening began with a chance to share some of these ambitions and hear from Sally Bacon OBE, consultant and advocate for cultural learning,  who joined us to explore the changing educational landscape and the growing importance of enrichment in schools. 

Sally introduced the Department for Education’s Enrichment Framework for Schools and Colleges, which sets out a shared national ambition for every child and young person to have access to high-quality enrichment opportunities throughout their education. 

It's an area of growing importance, and one where I believe Goodwood Art Foundation has so much to offer. 

Our setting brings together contemporary art, nature and a 70-acre landscape, creating opportunities for young people to experience learning in ways that can be difficult to replicate in the classroom. In particular, I see a wonderful connection between two of the framework's enrichment areas:   

Arts and culture – giving children and young people opportunities to encounter and participate in art, from exploring museums and galleries to experiencing live artistic events and getting hands-on with creative activities. 

Nature, outdoors and adventure – encouraging curiosity about the natural world, time spent outdoors and opportunities to explore ideas around sustainability, climate and our relationship with the environment.   

I'm excited by the possibilities of bringing these experiences together and helping schools make connections between art, nature and the world around us. 

Just as importantly, I want our relationship with teachers to be a two-way conversation. By understanding the opportunities and challenges schools face, we can continue to develop a programme that genuinely responds to the needs of teachers and their pupils. 

A chance to get creative   

Of course, no evening called Teachers Meet and Create would be complete without a little making. 

At the heart of the event were three practical workshops, giving teachers the chance to put their usual classroom roles to one side and become the learners themselves. 

There was time to experiment, explore unfamiliar materials and approaches, share ideas and enjoy the process of making something new. The workshops offered a glimpse of the hands-on, exploratory approach that sits at the heart of our Schools Programme. 

For me, this is such an important part of creative learning. It's not simply about what you make or the finished result, but everything that happens along the way. Trying something unfamiliar, taking a different direction, making mistakes and seeing where an idea leads can open up entirely new ways of thinking. 

By experiencing these approaches first-hand, teachers can discover fresh ideas and practical techniques to take back into the classroom. But I also hope they leave with something less tangible: a renewed sense of confidence, a little creative inspiration and the reminder of how rewarding it can be to make something simply for the pleasure of it. 

Inspiring the people who inspire others 

At the heart of our new Teacher CPD Programme is a simple belief: when teachers feel creatively inspired and confident, their pupils benefit, too.  

We recognise that teaching art can look very different from one school to another. For teachers without an art specialism, finding the confidence and practical skills to deliver creative lessons can sometimes feel daunting. For experienced Art Teachers and Art Leads, opportunities to discover new approaches, exchange knowledge and connect with fellow practitioners can be just as valuable. 

Our programme is designed to welcome both. 

Through practical workshops and opportunities to share ideas, we hope to help teachers build confidence in engaging with art, develop their creative skills and discover new perspectives on what's possible in the classroom.   

But there's something else I feel is just as important. That through our programmed offer, teachers to have the opportunity to reconnect with their own curiosity and passion for art. It's easy to become so focused on delivering a curriculum and supporting pupils that there's little time left to explore and experiment for yourself. 

When teachers are given that space, the enthusiasm and confidence they gain can find its way into the classroom, helping young people discover the joy, possibility and relevance of art for themselves. 

Join us for Teacher CPD in 2026–27   

Teachers Meet and Create was an important first step in this next chapter for our Learning Programme.   

Following the launch, we're delighted to be offering three free CPD sessions for local teachers during the 2026–27 academic year. Each session offers the chance to experience one of the creative workshops available through our Schools Programme, while developing practical skills, sharing ideas and meeting colleagues from other local schools. 

Upcoming sessions   

Thursday 19 November 2026: Sculpt and Sketch  

Thursday 22 April 2027: Inside Out Printmaking   

Thursday 24 June 2027: Art Explorer 

All sessions take place at Goodwood Art Foundation, from 4pm–7pm. Attendance is free, with all materials and light refreshments provided. 

To find out more and receive joining instructions, please email learning@goodwoodartfoundation.org

I'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone who joined us in October. It was wonderful to welcome you to the Foundation, hear your thoughts and share our ambitions for the future of creative learning. Your experiences, ideas and feedback will continue to help shape the programme as it develops. 

Madeline Pike
Head of Learning and Engagement
Goodwood Art Foundation