This year's conference at the Phoenix Arts Centre in Exeter was bigger than ever, opened by visual artist, David Shrigley with panache and purpose. David reminded the audience how teaching Art "is not only about technique or curriculum – it is about nurturing creativity, critical thinking, and courage."

Through workshops, delegates shared ideas, challenges, and successes across their own Schools and Trusts, and counties. Inspiring Art Leads, including Sara Elston (WEST Trust) and Renata Fry (Ted Wragg Trust), shared their stories about how to sustain passion and purpose in their careers, and the transformative impact of working with artists in schools.

One of the most personal and powerful parts of the day for Sam was sharing the CODEX Project: a collaboration between Sidmouth School of Art, Sidmouth College, artist Emma Molony and Sam himself. This marked a moving return to Sam's roots to his old school where Emma’s mother, Liz, was his Art Teacher.

"To go back, not as a student, but as an artist and teacher, and to work with the next generation of young creatives was incredibly moving."

This conference was a new chapter, built on a strong foundation over the past decade by Sam and Tim Wightman as co-lead of the Devon Art Teachers’ Conference, continuing the legacy of Phil Creek and Chris Wightman (Tim’s father).

Inspired by their vision of "a connected, collaborative community of art educators," this year they took that vision a step further and expanded the reach across the South West, bringing together educators from all phases, settings, and provisions - from Early Career Teachers to experienced Subject Leads.

"The day was a celebration of teaching as an art form in itself, and a reaffirmation of our shared commitment to the future of art and design education."

We thank Sam for his engaging enthusiasm for the Arts and for all that he does to support creative journeys in the classroom and the community. 
Report by Jude Baylis, SWIFT Executive Assistant

Be part of the Arts Journey
If you live in the South West and want to get involved in this growing network of Art Teachers, or learn more about CODEX and future events, we encourage you to contact Sam Eyre.

Watch out for details of the 2026 Summer Art Conference.

Helen Philpott and Joe Ambrose from the Southwest Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence (RISE) Team began the session with an update on the aims of the RISE programme and the potential for further partnership working. 

To Ofsted as a central marker of the educational landscape and a presentation from Southwest Senior His Majesty's Inspector, Tracey Reynolds on her insights into the Ofsted consultation process and feedback from the testing phase of the proposed reforms. We were grateful to seize the opportunity to ask questions and Tracey was keen to receive their feedback before the end of the consultation phase. One attendee usefully noted how the “Ofsted info will underpin changes to the subject review process.”

Sharing his experiences of the pilot testing phase of the proposed new Ofsted Framework, Director of Performance for the Ted Wragg Trust, Jon Lunn, helped attendees to gain a better understanding of how the potential changes may play out in their own school settings. 

We were then joined by Justin Coombes and Helen Arman from the AQA Executive Team, who shared information about the use of AI for diagnostic and formative data insight tools for schools and MATs, along with the potential strategy as we move towards digital exams.

Michelle Sullivan, R.E. Lead for the Blackdown Education Partnership and Somerset R.E. Advisor, provided updates into the changes to the statutory entitlement and requirements for the delivery of Religious Education. Michelle reminded us of the importance of raising the profile of World Views as a highly valuable subject for our young people. 

We then considered the impact of pupil mobility on the outcomes for our students, as Alan Blackburn, Director for School Performance for Blackdown Education Partnership, shared data to help us reflect on our own school transition practices. Alan also provided vital information for schools to ensure they complete the Key Stage 4 June data checking exercises with accuracy. 

Leaders were keen to learn about the SWIFT CPD offer for the next academic year from SWIFT Executive Director, Martin Smith with a programme of intentional professional development to support some of the real challenges for schools, including AI, School engagement/attendance, IT and more besides. Colleagues shared that many of the focus areas for upcoming SWIFT CPD aligned with their current school priorities, particularly in light of the key messages being shared by the Ofsted framework focus surrounding schools CPD offer to all staff, and its impact on improvement.
 
We thank all our speakers for their motivating presentations that provided a clearer understanding with up-to-date and relevant information on many of the burning issues of the day.
 
One attendee shared their humbling and honest insight on the pupil mobility that could speak for the whole event:

“It challenged my thinking on the impact of mobility on student outcomes which is a real issue we are wrestling with and what we can do to better support students.”
 
As ever, we look forward to supporting school leaders with our exciting and purposeful CPD offer this Summer Term.
 
Report by Tania Cox, Partner Director, Blackdown Education Partnership