ASPIRE Dundee is an ambitious project working with approximately 2,500 children in eleven primary school communities using performing arts

incorporating dance, music and drama in a creative and immersive manner across and beyond the school curriculum to increase and develop pupils’ health and wellbeing, self-confidence and self-esteem, learning and skills

development whilst challenging inequalities.

Experiencing child poverty can undermine the health, wellbeing and educational attainment of children. By the age of five, children in

poverty are between ten and thirteen months behind their peers from more affluent backgrounds in terms of educational attainment.

Children in the most deprived areas of Dundee have significantly worse health compared to children in the least deprived areas, including

dental health and obesity rates.

Phase One:Launched in November 2013

Develop and deliver an immersive and intensive arts based programme to be led by professional artists/music educators working directly in schools during core curricular time

Develop strong extra curricular opportunities afterschool for out of hours learning.

Crucial to phase one - the successful design of the programme and the confidence and support of external funders such as Scottish Government, Creative Scotland, Legacy 2014, Youth Music Initiative along with a contribution from the Early Years Change Fund.

Phase Two:Spring – Autumn 2015Development and delivery of the ASPIRE Dundee community engagement programme creating more opportunities for families to access participation activities within their local area towards developing stronger school, family and community relationships Phase Three:Autumn 2016To firmly embed and establish the ASPIRE Dundee model of practice with key partners and stakeholders to be a sustainable and locally led intervention demonstrating a ‘smarter spend’ and more effective allocation of existing resources

“ASPIRE Dundee is innovative, aspirational and bold. It is at it’s core a true example of effective partnership working”

School Community 

Art Form Start of Projectplanning - implementation

St Vincent’s RC Primary Dance November 2013Rowantree Primary Dance November 2013St Luke’s & St Matthew’s RC Primary Drama January 2014Ballumbie Primary and Ballumbie Early Years Centre

 Drama

 January 2014

Longhaugh Primary andLonghaugh Nursery

Drama January 2014

Camperdown Primary Music April 2014St Clement’s RC Primary Music April 2014Sidlaw View Primary Music April 2014Rosebank Primary Music April 2014Claypotts Castle Primary and Claypotts Castle Early Years Centre

 Dance

 March 2015

St Pius RC Primary Dance March 2015Dens Road Primary Drama March 2016Ardler Primary Music March 2016

Dundee City Council Children and Families Children and Young People Schools Communities

Increased quality partnership working

Effective management of existing resources

Sharing good practice across local authorities and beyond

Co-ordinated approach of local services

Greater capacity for project delivery

Highly skilled and ambitious workforce

Increase in confidence and self esteem

Improved co-ordination and fine motor skills

Better motivation for learning

Higher levels of skills development

Pride and sense of achievement

Improved schools and home relationships

Developing a Growth Mindset approach

Greater resilience

Enjoyment in learning and taking part

Increased aspirations

Increased attendance reduced exclusions

Evidence of better behaviour – less disruption

Better concentration skills

High quality Career Long Professional Learning for staff

Positive ethos

Strong partnerships addressing local priorities

Greater parental involvement

Strong evidence of high quality interdisciplinary learning approaches

Focus of positive ethos from primary school

Strengthened relationships

Increased local participation in arts/healthy activities

Sense of pride

Greater connectivity between services

Greater use of local assets

Raised awareness of opportunities

“In analyzing the results of our case studies along with data collected and key interview material there is undoubtedly already an improvement in confidence and self esteem which has led to improved attendance and reduced exclusions……” University of Dundee – Interim Project Report

“I really think it brings forward a selection of the arts where the children can work together to produce a whole school interdisciplinary approach to a project that the children fully lead, fully participate in and have ownership of. You’re also looking at personalisation and choice you’re looking at relevance. You are also taking in a lot of the curriculum design principles through the whole process. It really is a multi-agency approach and it’s been very beneficial for the children. “

Head Teacher St Luke’s and St Matthew’s RC Primary School Dundee

Gary Cameron @gcameronmd Jun 17Feel so lucky to have been part of the #whitfieldgiants project. Amazing day for the young people! @DundeeRep @TortoiseinaNut @aspiredundee  

rw gran @lwalton47 Jun 17@BallumbiePS @aspiredundee this how to show the rest of the city the social change occurring in the fabric of Whitfield well done to all

@aspiredundee@aspiredundee

How does the music make you feel?How does the music make you feel?

““It makes me feel safe” It makes me feel safe” Dundee Primary School PupilDundee Primary School Pupil