New three-year partnership creates opportunities for girls

The formal partnership, which runs until July 2029, is designed to support pupils’ progression into creative education and careers and will see Prior’s Field recognised as a UCA Partner School.

Through the partnership, UCA and Prior’s Field will work together to develop a bespoke programme of activities reflecting the interests and priorities of Prior’s Field pupils.

Professor Lyndsay Duthie, Pro Vice-chancellor Global Creative Economy at UCA, said: “We’re thrilled to formalise our collaborative relationship with Prior’s Field School. We hope to forge a creative path for the next generation of learners, giving them opportunities to deepen their understanding of the creative industries, explore creative careers, and study at a specialist higher-education institution.

The school’s vision for creative arts education complements our own. At UCA we recognise that a ‘creative choice is a career choice’ and we’re committed to equipping young people with the skills they need to thrive in the UK’s world-leading cultural and creative sector.  

So, we welcome this opportunity to share our industry-leading expertise and facilities with girls who will be our ‘makers of tomorrow’.”

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Opportunities available through the partnership can include curriculum-linked workshops in areas such as art and design, media, performance and games; portfolio development sessions; university application and personal statement support; creative careers and industry talks; university taster sessions and facility tours; support for exhibitions and major projects; mentoring; and bespoke creative challenges.

The partnership also extends beyond pupil activities, with opportunities for staff including subject-specific professional development, curriculum consultation and support for careers events.

In addition, eligible Prior’s Field students who go on to enrol at UCA will be able to receive a £500 UCA Partnership Scholarship, recognising students from UCA partner schools and supporting their transition into creative higher education.

Prior’s Field has a long-established strength in the creative arts, with girls able to pursue subjects including Fine Art, Textiles and Photography alongside a wide range of opportunities to develop their own individual creative practice.

The UCA partnership will further connect this work with university-level expertise, allowing pupils to experience aspects of creative higher education while they are still at school and gain a clearer understanding of the pathways and careers available within the sector.

Gemma Curtin Head of Creative Arts and Cocurricular Lead said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with UCA and are incredibly excited about the opportunities this will bring to our students. As a UCA alumna myself, having completed both my Foundation Diploma and degree there, I know first-hand the quality of its provision and the value it places on developing individual creative voices. There is a real alignment between UCA’s approach and our own vision for creative arts education at Prior’s Field: ambitious, forward-thinking and closely connected to the creative industries. I’m very excited to see the partnership develop and to explore the many opportunities for collaboration ahead.”

The partnership forms part of Prior’s Field’s wider commitment to developing meaningful links with universities, industry and external organisations, giving girls access to experiences that extend beyond the classroom and helping them make informed choices about their futures.