Creative energy fuels student success at Jewellery Quarter Academy
Jewellery Quarter Academy, part of CORE Education Trust, is celebrating the success of its ‘Creative Mentoring’ programme, delivered in partnership with Recre8now. Recre8now is a psychology based drama organisation dedicated to nurturing positive personal and social growth through high-quality, evidence-informed arts engagement.
Across four days during half term, students fully immersed themselves in a range of creative and confidence building activities. The programme engaged young people through interactive activities that created a positive and inclusive atmosphere.
Initial sessions focused on establishing group rules, ice breaking games and collaborative drama pieces to strengthen connections between participants. Activities such as name games, “Change If,” and group performances encouraged students to explore themes linked to their own school experiences. Creative tasks, including designing “About Me” posters and future themed masks, further promoted self expression, confidence and peer support.
Lead mentors from Recre8now, Sharfina and Nakiece, praised the students highlighting their excellent listening skills, teamwork and encouragement of one another. The success of the half term provision has created strong momentum ahead of the upcoming after school club, launching on Wednesday 4th March from 3.30pm to 4.30pm. Planning is also underway for the Easter holiday programme, with year 9 pupils expected to benefit from the next phase of activities.
Jamie Henshaw, headteacher at Jewellery Quarter Academy, said: “We are incredibly proud of the way our students engaged with the Creative Mentoring programme. Their behaviour, creativity and support for one another truly reflect the positive culture we are building at Jewellery Quarter Academy. Opportunities like this allow our young people to grow in confidence, develop teamwork skills and express themselves in meaningful ways.”
At Jewellery Quarter Academy, they focus on delivering an education that provides a broad range of opportunities for students from all backgrounds to learn and achieve.
Through funding from the Million Hours Fund, Recre8now delivers Creative Routes: Mentoring Through the Arts, a tailored programme combining group creative mentoring with expressive arts activities. At the heart of their practice is the belief that creative expression, particularly drama-based facilitation, can unlock confidence, strengthen relationships, and support young people to build agency in their lives.
Recre8now have previously worked with Jewellery Quarter Academy, delivering immersive drama-based programmes that deepen emotional literacy, encourage collaborative skills and create safe spaces for young people to explore personal narratives and future aspirations.
