The Creative Academy
A personalised, creative approach to learning for young people aged 10–25
Aspire In Arts has been inspiring young people through creative education since 2015. Our alternative education programmes offer a flexible, supportive environment for young people who need a different approach — combining creative arts, life skills, and accredited qualifications.
Ages 10–16 — Intervention Provision
For young people who are struggling to engage in school, not attending, home-educated, or in transition between provisions. Our 12-week intervention programmes combine one hour with a creative professional and one hour with a qualified youth worker each week.
Post-16 SEND — Aspire Up
A year-round programme for post-16 SEND young people, aligned to Warwickshire academic terms. Three days per week, 10:30am to 2:30pm. Structured but flexible — participants choose topics based on their own interests and needs.
What can young people study?
We offer a wide range of creative topics delivered by professionals. This is not an exhaustive list — we can source specialists to match individual interests.
Accredited Qualifications
As a Trinity College London Arts Award Centre since 2015, we support young people to achieve nationally recognised qualifications:
- Bronze Arts Award — Level 1 (equivalent to GCSE grades 3–1)
- Silver Arts Award — Level 2 (equivalent to GCSE grades 9–4)
- Gold Arts Award — Level 3 (equivalent to A-Level, carries UCAS points) — available on longer-term programmes only
Young people completing cooking workshops can also achieve a Level 2 Food Hygiene & Catering qualification.
Maths & English Support
We partner with BKSB to provide initial English and Maths diagnostic screening during the first week of any intervention. This helps us tailor support to each young person's development needs. Through school requests, we can also provide access to Tute Education — an online classroom with qualified teachers. While we are not an exam centre, we support young people in accessing exam centres to sit Maths and English qualifications when required.
Programme Benefits
Personal Growth
Independence, confidence and resilience
Life Skills
Cooking, budgeting, planning and practical life preparation
Accredited Achievement
Nationally recognised Arts Award qualifications
Health & Wellbeing
Activities promoting emotional resilience and physical health
Inclusive Environment
Small groups, personalised attention, supportive atmosphere
Individual Learning Passport
Every young person on our intervention programme has an Individual Learning Passport. Progress is reviewed at the start, at six weeks, and at the end of the 12-week programme — tracking approach to learning, self-control, social skills, and self-awareness. A full report is provided to schools or future provisions to support smooth transitions.
Educational & Seasonal Trips
Silver Arts Award participants attend two planned creative arts trips. All young people can join our low-cost seasonal trips and residentials — outdoor pursuits, ice skating, roller skating, trampoline parks, and more. All trips are fully risk-assessed and supervised by trained youth workers.
Get Involved
For Professionals
Schools, councils, and care providers can contact our Alternative Education Coordinator directly to discuss suitability and arrange referrals.
For Young People
If you're a young person not in education, employment or training (NEET), you can access our 16–25 Drop-In Sessions every Tuesday between 1pm and 2pm. No referral needed — just turn up.