Art Masterclass with Susan M Coles

About Susan M Coles

I am a self-employed and independent educator, critical friend, adviser, consultant, and artist, who set up “Creative Ways”, an educational consultancy, in 2007, after a long and distinguished career in visual art and design education in the City of Sunderland. I have previously been a subject leader and faculty leader and AST.

My work remit now is very wide and varied and I still enjoy every single day. I have a passion for my subject and for education in general. Advocacy for Art, Craft and Design education is at the very heart of what I am all about. I work for individual schools (all phases) and Academies, Local Authorities, training companies, museums and galleries, national organisations, universities, initial teacher training courses, and whoever offers me the challenge of bringing the best out of people and situations. I work across the UK and internationally. I have been a keynote speaker/contributor at major Art Education events in the UK, Europe, Australia, Ireland, and Nigeria and worked across the United Kingdom as well as the world.

I can give Arts curriculum advice, share good practice, review and audit what already exists, develop new curriculum models which match relevant learning and the 2019 OFSTED framework, support with the understanding and use of data, develop a culture of learning which is inclusive to all pupils and which supports tackling the underachievement of boys (especially in art and design). I can deliver inset on creativity across the curriculum as well as specifically to the Arts. I can help you to explore your understanding of Cultural Capital too. My work on the underachievement of boys in the subject (and the lack of boys) is recognised as exemplary.