Experiencing child poverty can undermine the health, wellbeing and
educational attainment of children. By the age of five, children in
poverty are between ten and thirteen months behind their peers from
more affluent backgrounds in terms of educational attainment.
Children in the most deprived areas of Dundee have significantly worse
health compared to children in the least deprived areas, including
dental health and obesity rates.
ASPIRE Dundee is an ambitious project working with approximately 2,500
children in eleven primary school communities using performing arts
incorporating dance, music and drama in a creative and immersive manner
across and beyond the school curriculum to increase and develop pupils’
health and wellbeing, self-confidence and self-esteem, learning and skills
development whilst challenging inequalities.
Phase One:
Launched in November 2013
Develop and deliver an immersive and
intensive arts based programme to be
led by professional artists/music
educators working directly in schools
during core curricular time
Develop strong extra curricular
opportunities afterschool for out of
hours learning.
Crucial to phase one - the successful
design of the programme and the
confidence and support of external
funders such as Scottish Government,
Creative Scotland, Legacy 2014, Youth
Music Initiative along with a
contribution from the Early Years
Change Fund.
Phase Two:
Spring – Autumn 2015
Development and delivery of the ASPIRE Dundee community
engagement programme creating more opportunities for
families to access participation activities within their local
area towards developing stronger school, family and
community relationships
Phase Three:
Autumn 2016
To firmly embed and establish the ASPIRE Dundee model of
practice with key partners and stakeholders to be a
sustainable and locally led intervention demonstrating a
‘smarter spend’ and more effective allocation of existing
resources
“ASPIRE Dundee is innovative, aspirational and bold.
It is at it’s core a true example of effective partnership working”
School Community
Art Form
Start of Project
planning - implementation
St Vincent’s RC Primary
Rowantree Primary
St Luke’s & St Matthew’s RC Primary
Ballumbie Primary and
Ballumbie Early Years Centre
Longhaugh Primary and
Longhaugh Nursery
Camperdown Primary
St Clement’s RC Primary
Sidlaw View Primary
Rosebank Primary
Claypotts Castle Primary and
Claypotts Castle Early Years Centre
St Pius RC Primary
Dens Road Primary
Ardler Primary
Dance
Dance
Drama
November 2013
November 2013
January 2014
Drama
Drama
January 2014
January 2014
Music
Music
Music
Music
April 2014
April 2014
April 2014
April 2014
Dance
Dance
Drama
Music
March 2015
March 2015
March 2016
March 2016
“In analyzing the results of our case studies along with data collected and
key interview material there is undoubtedly already an improvement in
confidence and self esteem which has led to improved attendance and
reduced exclusions……” University of Dundee – Interim Project Report
Dundee City Council Children and Families
Children and Young People
Schools
Communities
Increased quality partnership working
Increase in confidence and self esteem
Increased attendance reduced
exclusions
Focus of positive ethos
from primary school
Effective management of existing resources
Improved co-ordination and fine motor skills
Better motivation for learning
Evidence of better behaviour – less
disruption
Strengthened relationships
Sharing good practice across local authorities
and beyond
Higher levels of skills development
Better concentration skills
Pride and sense of achievement
High quality Career Long Professional
Learning for staff
Co-ordinated approach of local services
Greater capacity for project delivery
Increased local
participation in
arts/healthy activities
Sense of pride
Improved schools and home relationships
Highly skilled and ambitious workforce
Positive ethos
Developing a Growth Mindset approach
Greater resilience
Strong partnerships addressing local
priorities
Enjoyment in learning and taking part
Greater parental involvement
Increased aspirations
Strong evidence of high quality
interdisciplinary learning approaches
Greater connectivity
between services
Greater use of local assets
Raised awareness of
opportunities
“I really think it brings forward a selection of the arts where the children can work
together to produce a whole school interdisciplinary approach to a project that
the children fully lead, fully participate in and have ownership of. You’re also
looking at personalisation and choice you’re looking at relevance. You are also
taking in a lot of the curriculum design principles through the whole process. It
really is a multi-agency approach and it’s been very beneficial for the children. “
Head Teacher St Luke’s and St Matthew’s RC Primary School Dundee
Gary Cameron @gcameronmd Jun 17
Feel so lucky to have been part of
the #whitfieldgiants project. Amazing day
for the young
people! @DundeeRep @TortoiseinaNut
@aspiredundee
rw gran @lwalton47 Jun 17
@BallumbiePS @aspiredundee this how to show
the rest of the city the social change occurring in
the fabric of Whitfield well done to all
@aspiredundee
How does the music make you feel?
“It makes me feel safe”
Dundee Primary School Pupil