Now in its eleventh year, Otherwise Creative is darts’ programme of work for excluded and otherwise educated pupils in Doncaster. At its heart is the aim to use the arts to enable children and young people to develop confidence and emotional resilience, build social and life skills and gain qualifications.

We work closely with all the Pupil Referral Units in Doncaster and deliver artist-led sessions to pupils across Key Stages 1 to 4.

In 2011/12 we are working with seven groups from four units. Each group has distinct needs, encompassing behavioural and medical issues that prevent them from attending mainstream school. These include young people at risk of sexual exploitation and those with mental health issues, emotional problems and behavioural difficulties.

It is our understanding and experience of the different needs of each group that enable us to develop bespoke projects and is, as one Deputy Head said, ‘worth its weight in gold’. The arts development manager, artists and head teacher of each unit work closely to design a project that meets the needs of the young people involved and offers opportunities for them to be successful.

We have delivered one-to-one sessions, small group sessions at The Point or class sessions at the unit or elsewhere.  Pupils are given the opportunity to gain their Arts Award qualification and at one centre we are now delivering GCSE Film Studies.