The Bedford Arts and Cultural Education (BACE) partnership seek to commission a skilled arts evaluator to undertake research into the existing barriers to embedding engagement with the creative and cultural sectors within the life of the school, and with undertaking Artsmark and delivering Arts Award in Bedford Borough Schools. 

The evaluator will have access to a needs-analysis undertaken by BACE in September 2018 which provides background information about the area and information regarding what would constitute a representative sample of schools. Support will be given in introductions to schools including, if required, focus groups, although a proactive approach will be expected from the evaluator. We anticipate that the sample should include schools who have not undertaken either Arts Award or Artsmark, as well as those that have. It is anticipated that that the work will be undertaken through a mix of email and telephone contact, as well as 1-1 or focus group activity. The resulting report will be used to inform the future work of BACE and should focus on defining the barriers to schools engagement with the creative and cultural sector and undertaking Arts Award and Artsmark, as well as brief initial thoughts on overcoming those barriers.  This work will underpin future consultancy on overcoming the barriers, which will be commissioned separately. 

The report is due on the 3rd June 2019 and it is anticipated that the bulk of the work will be undertaken in May 2019.  The fee for this work is £2000 inclusive of VAT, expenses and travel and we anticipate that this will comprise 6-7 days of delivery, plus travel. We seek and experienced and proactive evaluator to work with us. 

Please submit your expression of interest (comprising your CV and a covering letter relating to the brief above and citing two examples of your previous work) by 1st April 2019 to Isabel Davies, executive head of Peter Pan Teaching School Alliance on Isabel.Davis@bedfordnurseryschools.com .

This work is commissioned by BACE but will be contracted by our lead organisation on this programme, Peter Pan Teaching School Alliance.