Action Learning  

We have a team of five Action Learning facilitators and we work in a range of organisations and settings. For further information please enquire here.

What does Action Learning offer?

– Support and challenge from peers
– The opportunity to learn from good practice and develop new ideas and different solutions
– Development of individual listening and diagnostic skills
– Practice and receipt of feedback from peers on their leadership and management skills
– A safe environment to explore strengths and weaknesses
– Insight, through the group process, into the way individuals relate in a small group which, in turn, increases understanding of work relationships
– Problem solving time which gives the opportunity for personal learning and development and insight into how others achieve different solutions
– A group of people who are, for periods of time, mentors for each other

When is Action Learning useful?

– To support organisational development and organisational change
– To face major challenges
– To test out new ways of working
– To map out ways to deal with a new situation
– To create reflection time for learning
– When a job or role is changing

Action learning provides a challenging space for reflective learning and creates potential for individual and organisational development. Where organisations or people are seeking to achieve new directions, participating leaders and managers use action learning to review their established practice and develop more effective ways of working.

Where individuals join cross sector or inter sector sets, they also benefit from the new insights that arise from peers who bring different experience and backgrounds.

Used well, action learning underpins improved delivery, raises morale and links the development of individuals to what works best for their customers, clients and beneficiaries.

We are currently delivering Recover, Recharge, Renew virtual action learning programme to 50 freelancers and employees across the East of England, supported by Arts Council England and partner organisations:
– Britten Pears Arts
– Cambridge Junction
– Creative Arts East
– DanceEast
– Essex Music
– Mercury Theatre
– National Centre for Writing
– Suffolk Artlink

Feedback from participants:

“It has given me confidence to find my voice as a freelancer and to not be afraid of holding my own space and value”.

“In terms of my leadership of the organisation it is helping me shape decisions about the future and the processes to support that”.

“Sets a perfect tone for our sessions, is a great listener, and always helps us stay on track with the process when needed (and willing to be flexible when she notices we need more freedom). The way the space is held for us and the generosity in what is shared. It always feels like a very safe space and we are guided through the process with a gentle kindness that makes deep sharing very easy”.

Arts, Culture and Creativity: developing your curriculum and enriching teaching and learning

The workshop involves a two hour interactive session looking at six keys areas where arts, culture and creativity can make significant and vital contributions to the whole school curriculum and to teaching and learning:

100% of participants say ‘they benefited from the training, the content and delivery is high quality, they gained new knowledge and inspiration, increased confidence, and a practical next step plan’

The workshop is based on a model of action learning. Participants consider six key areas, including research and case studies, while relating the learning to their own school/trust setting. Participants will complete the workshop with a clear plan for their own individual next steps.

Workshops are led by:

Executive Director and Company Director Christina Birt

Associate (Creative Critics Lead Artist) Lisa Thornton

Lisa Thornton

Associate (Creative Critics Lead Artist)

Lisa is an Arts Education Practitioner based in Manchester. She has worked on a range of partnership projects with organisations including Community Arts North West, Theatre Hullabaloo, Connecting Youth Cultures and the NSPCC. She was awarded an MA with distinction in Applied Theatre from York St John University. Lisa is also an Engagement Officer and Facilitator for Proper Job Theatre Company, delivering the LAB Employability and LAB Wellbeing courses to adults in some of Manchesters hardest to reach communities. Her practice focuses on health and wellbeing, often using theatre as a tool for intervention, learning and development. Lisa advocates theatre can be a ‘rehearsal for life’, this led to her first collaboration with All Ways Making as a Creative Critics Lead Artist in connection with Manchester International Festival 2019. She has gone onto deliver Creative Critics again, this time online with young people in partnership with The Prince’s Trust. Lisa was also the Project Team Lead Creative Practitioner when supporting the development of AWM’s European Parliament-commissioned teaching resource. Most recently Lisa completed the Thirdspace Foundations of Coaching course, she used her learning to facilitate AWM’s CPD programme which focuses on the use of arts and cultural education in school improvement in the East Midlands.

Christina Birt

Executive Director and Company Director

Arts professional with over 25 years’ experience. Most recently consultant to Arts Council England, European Parliament, Creative & Cultural Skills and the national network of Bridge organisations, amongst others. Creates, develops and delivers arts education projects, most notably Creative Critics funded by Arts Council England, programmed and commissioned by three arts festivals and delivered to schools across three counties in England.

Previously Christina was Head of Creative Learning and Director of Creative Partnerships, working for organisations including The Royal Opera House, Norfolk & Norwich Festival and Greenwich Dance Agency. Originally trained and qualified as a dance teacher, she gained a first class degree in Dance Studies and Education at Roehampton and a MA in Cultural Leadership, at City University.

Following the workshop there is an additional option for one-to-one mentoring, to support participants implement their next step.

This programme responds to needs identified by our national focus group of school and trust leaders (2020) in response to the pandemic; and builds on a pilot of this training delivered in partnership with The Mighty Creatives (2021) and training developed for Arts Council England and the National Governors Association (2023).

To find out more or to booking this training please contact us.