Reframe: Inspire Schools

Putting creative careers in students’ sights, in partnership with Apple

In 2022 we were delighted to team up with Apple to announce Reframe, a groundbreaking initiative supporting Black creatives in the UK.

The initiative was run in collaboration with our partners in Manchester at Factory International, and in Birmingham at STEAMhouse and Midlands Arts Centre.

It launched with two strands of activity: one aimed at emerging artists, called Reframe: The Residency, and the other for schools – which we talk about here.

400 students

across 21 state schools

7 out of 10

inspired to choose a creative subject for their GSCEs

79%

of participants feel confident using tech for creativity

The big idea

The first Reframe: Inspire Schools took place in 2023 and involved 400 students at 21 state secondary schools across Birmingham, Manchester and London. It aimed to establish a pipeline to Reframe’s flagship programme, The Residency, by helping children see that a career in the creative industries is a possibility and encouraging them to consider GCSEs in creative subjects.

We set each class the challenge of creating their own climate change-themed zine – a project which met our objectives of sparking creativity and digital fluency, while achieving a number of Key Stage 3 curriculum goals.

Making it happen

We devised a programme of four workshops which mixed practical writing and visual arts exercises with a chance to explore ideas around climate change and what a zine might look like.

Students worked with artists, graphic designers, illustrators and climate experts, and had the chance to use analogue and digital techniques. By the end, each class had a completed zine to be uploaded to the online gallery and printed.

Schools were given access to the latest Apple technology to create their zine, with students gaining experience on a range of applications.

Participants’ zines

A selection of images from some of the zines created by the participants.

Schools were given access to the latest Apple technology to create their zine, with students gaining experience on a range of applications.

In July 2023, each school was invited to the Southbank Centre to celebrate the launch of their printed zines and the unveiling of the online library, and to take a day of activities.

Launch event

The activities included a panel discussion from climate activists including Tori Tsui and Love Ssega, a visit to the Hayward Gallery and a tour of the rooftop garden, as well as performances from artists and a zine fair featuring their finished zines.

Impact & outcomes

The project successfully engaged over 400 students in 21 schools, fostering a sense of confidence in using technology for creative and educational purposes.

As well as giving the students a platform to express themselves and learn new digital skills, it met curriculum goals in the areas of computing, art, English and citizenship. We followed up with participants and discovered that seven in 10 said they were inspired to choose a creative subject, like art, music or design & technology, for their GCSEs.

The vast majority, 79%, said they feel confident using technology for creative activities. And three-quarters of participants said that after being involved in Inspire Schools, they care about climate change.

‘I learnt that doing things together is better than doing it alone.’

Reframe: Inspire Schools participant, London

Learnings & future plans

We’re thrilled that the students who took part in Reframe: Inspire Schools 2023 had positive experiences, and are excited to carry on with the programme in 2024 and beyond – once again in partnership with Factory and Midlands Arts Centre, supported by Apple.