Programme Specification

The Summer Arts Colleges were a major initiative of the Youth Justice Board (YJB) and Arts Council England (ACE) and have been offered by youth offending teams (YOTs) across England and Wales since 2006. The Summer Arts Colleges work with young people in the youth justice system to engage them in a structured arts programme, and run for three weeks over the summer holiday period. Their aim us to reintegrate the young people into education, training and employment and thereby seek to reduce their offending behaviour.

The young people taking part in the Summer Arts Colleges are on high-tariff sentences, in the age range of 14 to 19, may have difficulties with literacy and numeracy, and have experienced detachment from education, training and employment.

In 2011, YOTs were able to offer a three-week Summer Arts College, where young people worked towards a Bronze Arts Award qualification.

Download the Summer Arts Colleges brochure. (2.17MB)

If you would like a printable document of the programme specification, you can download it here: 2011 Operational Specification (3-week) (Microsoft Word Document, 535 kb)

A sample copy of the Summer Arts Colleges Grant Terms and Conditions is also available to download here:
Three-Week Summer Arts Colleges Terms and Conditions

The specific objectives of each Summer Arts College are:

  • reduce levels of (re)offending during the College and in the following months
  • increase educational engagement and facilitate transition into mainstream education, training and employment after the College
  • improve literacy and numeracy skills through the arts
  • achieve an accreditation through the Bronze Arts Award
  • explore routes into employment and careers within the arts and creative industries.

Each programme will:

  • run with ten young people, each of whom should be provided with a Summer Arts College contract, clearly identifying obligations for the young people, Summer Arts College Project Manager, parents/carers and case workers
  • provide a detailed programme plan with a full curriculum and timetables for the full three weeks. The programme plan should also include appropriate supervision to cover all breaks, lunch times and visits
  • provide an appropriate group of staff who must have sufficient planning time before the Summer Arts College and for its duration
  • make suitable Summer Arts College Project Manager arrangements to ensure effective delivery of the Summer Arts College
  • ensure the Summer Arts College Project Manager and key staff complete the required training
  • organise effective arrangements, including transport, to ensure young people’s attendance
  • ensure there is an effective approach to behaviour management, including an incentives and sanctions policy
  • introduce at least two art forms over the duration of the programme, using appropriate Unitas Arts Enrichment Resources
  • ensure there are comprehensive arrangements for each young person to improve his/her literacy and numeracy skills
  • ensure achievement of Arts Award at Bronze level for each young person
  • ensure, through visits and other activities, that each young person is made aware of work opportunities in the arts and creative industries
  • provide practical and emotional support for each young person, including weekly personal tutorials and home visits
  • make close links with parents/carers to ensure that all those involved are working towards the same goals
  • hold a celebration event, which will include inviting parents/carers, at the end of the Summer Arts College
  • ensure positive ETE (education, training and employment) progression at the end of the Summer Arts College for each young person
  • appoint suitably trained and experienced arts organisations/arts practitioners using the Unitas artists’ directory.

All Summer Arts Colleges must make use of the Unitas Arts Enrichment Resources in planning and delivery.

All Summer Arts Colleges must be delivered in high quality mainstream or community venues. Where possible, these venues should have links into mainstream education, training and employment providers.

Whilst Summer Arts Colleges will be based in one location, there must be opportunities for activities away from the main venue to, for example, arts exhibitions, recording studios, concert venues and artists’ studios.

Follow this link to Frequently Asked Questions.