Summer Arts Colleges evaluation shows impressive results

Posted 20.12.2011

In October 2011, Unitas reported on the outcomes so far achieved by its Summer Arts Colleges, using data gathered from colleges run between 2007 and 2010. The report provided remarkable findings about the impact of the programme. It demonstrated that:

“The programme consistently meets its objectives of reducing offending, increasing educational engagement, improving basic skills, achieving a qualification and raising progression.”

Professor Roger Tarling

In total, 1142 young people from 67 Youth Offending Teams (YOTs) in England and Wales had participated in a Summer Arts College over the time period. Many of these young people came from disadvantaged backgrounds, were not engaged in education, training or employment and had no qualifications.

The evaluation showed that:

  • 76% of young people completed the programme, and 77% of the programme hours were attended.
  • 85% of young people who completed the programme obtained a Bronze Arts Award and 9% achieved a Silver Arts Award.
  • 69% of young people increased their literacy scores by the end of the programme, and 68% increased their numeracy scores.
  • 71% of young people who completed the programme had progressed to a positive education, training or employment destination.
  • The average rate of offending more than halved during the programme, and remained lower than before the programme once the programme had ended.

These results are testimony to the hard work, commitment and creativity of the many hundreds of YOT staff, artists and educationalists who have worked on the Summer Arts Colleges over the years.

Go to the Research library to read the full report or a digest.

If you would like more information about the Summer Arts Colleges, please visit the Summer Arts Colleges section or email summerartscolleges@unitas.uk.net.