Last week, we were delighted to welcome creative educators to our annual CREST Creative Teachers Networking Day. The event brought together teaching professionals from across the region, including Strode College, Weston College, and West Somerset College to explore the rapidly changing creative industries and their impact on education.

Patricia Marks, from the Somerset Business Agency, delivered a keynote on emerging trends in creative careers, emphasising the essential skills students need and how teachers can adapt curricula to better prepare learners for the future. Her insights set the stage for thoughtful discussions on how education must respond to rapid shifts in technology, media, and design thinking.

The event also featured a dynamic panel on creative pedagogy, highlighting innovative approaches to teaching creative arts through student engagement strategies, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and case studies. Attendees took part in hands-on workshops covering printmaking, AI in creative projects, and content creation techniques, gaining practical tools for classroom application. A dedicated session on diversity and inclusion offered actionable strategies for creating a representative and inclusive arts curriculum, rounding out a forward-looking, impactful event.

Vanessa Hughes, Head of Creative, Digital & Professional Studies said,

“Events like the CREST Networking Day are vital for driving innovation in creative teaching. By bringing together educators and industry professionals, we’re not only sharing best practices but building the connections that translate into real-world opportunities for our students.

These collaborations help ensure our teaching remains dynamic, relevant and understand the evolving demands of the creative industries. It was inspiring to see so many teachers from across the region enjoy the opportunity to get together and make a difference.”

This symposium is designed to empower creative arts educators by promoting a vibrant professional learning community across the South West. Key focuses include addressing regional employability challenges, bridging skills gaps, and embracing the CreaTech movement to enhance educational outcomes.

If you are a creative educator and would like to be involved in future events please get in touch with Matt Cox, Deputy Head of Creative, at coxm@btc.ac.uk