Showcasing Creativity: A Museum-School Collaboration That Inspires Inclusion

At the heart of museum education lies the potential to create inclusive, transformative experiences.

The collaboration between the National Maritime Museum and Willow Dene Special School exemplifies how meaningful partnerships can empower young learners, highlight their creativity, and reshape perceptions of accessibility and inclusion within cultural spaces.

This partnership not only celebrates the artistic expressions of children with special educational needs but also serves as a powerful model for museum professionals seeking to build similar initiatives.

Building Connections: The Genesis of a Partnership

Ruth Boley, Senior Manager for Learning at the National Maritime Museum, shared the museum’s ethos: to engage diverse audiences through themes of the sea, stars, history, and creativity. Recognising the importance of reaching underrepresented groups, National Maritime Museum partnered with Willow Dene, an outstanding special needs school in Greenwich catering to children aged two to 19 with a wide range of disabilities, including autism and profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD).

The collaboration aimed to celebrate the creativity of all learners, with a focus on the process rather than the final product. For Willow Dene, this was an opportunity to challenge societal perceptions and showcase their students as creative beings. As cultural capital lead at Willow Dene, Lisa Parascandolo emphasised the importance of providing students with diverse cultural experiences, from visiting museums to displaying their work in professional settings.

Creativity in Action: The Process

The partnership centered on the theme of “sea creatures real and imagined,” drawing inspiration from the National Maritime Museum’s extensive collection of seascapes, drawings, maps, and charts. The project unfolded in several stages:

1. Sensory Sea Sessions at National Maritime Museum
   Four classes from Willow Dene visited the museum to participate in a sensory sea session, specifically designed for children with special educational needs. This immersive experience took students on a sensory journey by sea, using tactile and visual elements to spark their imaginations.
2. Creative Exploration at School
   Following the museum visit, students engaged in a “power day” at school, re-exploring the theme through sensory storytelling and hands-on art activities. They used a variety of materials—paint, clay, and collage—to express their ideas, emphasising the importance of tactile engagement for students with complex needs.
3. Artistic Collaboration with Shermaine Slocombe
   Artist and facilitator Shermaine Slocombe worked closely with students, staff, and the National Maritime Museum team to capture the essence of the students’ creative process. Using photographs, textures, and original artwork, Shermaine layered and transformed the students’ creations into a large-scale banner that was displayed at the museum. Her approach ensured that the final piece preserved the dynamic and authentic spirit of the students’ work.

Extending Impact: From Artwork to Accessibility

The collaboration extended beyond the creation of the artwork. Insights from Willow Dene staff and parents informed the development of an accessible playground at the museum, featuring wooden shapes inspired by the students’ sea creature designs. This space, known as the Cove, became a permanent fixture at the museum, embodying the creativity and legacy of the partnership.

For Lisa, this was a deeply emotional moment. “Seeing our children’s artwork become an integrated part of the museum’s playground was a testament to their creativity,” she said. Families now have a space where they can connect with their children’s contributions and feel a sense of pride and belonging.

Lessons Learned: Building Trust and Embracing Creativity

Reflecting on the project, both Ruth and Lisa highlighted the importance of alignment in values, mutual trust, and a shared commitment to celebrating creativity. “There’s no one right or wrong way to be creative,” Ruth noted. Working with children with special educational needs taught her to appreciate the process as much as the outcome, an approach reinforced by Shermaine’s thoughtful integration of the students’ work.

Lisa emphasised the transformative impact of the museum’s willingness to embrace the unique needs and expressions of Willow Dene’s learners. “The museum really took the time to understand our children,” she said. This level of engagement fostered a creative spark between the two organisations, resulting in an outcome that exceeded expectations.

Expanding Horizons: Inspiring Future Projects

The success of the Willow Dene partnership set a benchmark for the National Maritime Museum’s future learning initiatives. Inspired by this collaboration, the museum launched a new partnership with Phoenix Primary and Secondary School, an autism-specialist school. Recognising that some students might find transitioning to the museum challenging, the National Maritime Museum adapted its approach by bringing museum-based projects directly to the school.

This adaptability and confidence stemmed from the lessons learned during the Willow Dene collaboration. Hollie Witton, Learning Partnerships and Projects Producer at National Maritime Museum, described the Willow Dene project as the “gold standard,” shaping the museum’s strategy for future learning projects.

Practical Takeaways for Museum Professionals

For museums looking to replicate such partnerships, Ruth and Lisa offered the following advice:

• Invest Time in Relationship-Building: Establish trust and understanding by spending time with partner schools. This foundation is crucial for co-creating meaningful projects.
• Prioritize Process Over Product: Embrace the creative journey, especially when working with learners with special needs. The process often reveals insights and opportunities that enrich the final outcome.
• Be Open to Learning and Adaptation: Flexibility and a willingness to learn from each other are key to overcoming challenges and achieving shared goals.
• Engage Families and the Wider Community: Including families in the project creates a sense of pride and connection, while showcasing students’ work to the broader public helps challenge stereotypes and celebrate inclusion.

A Call to Action

The collaboration between the National Maritime Museum and Willow Dene Special School demonstrates the profound impact that inclusive, creative projects can have on students, families, and cultural institutions. By prioritising accessibility, celebrating the process, and embedding inclusive practices into their core work, museums can create lasting legacies that inspire and uplift.

For schools, Lisa’s message was clear: “Reach out to museums, invite them into your schools, and share your vision. You never know what incredible partnerships could emerge.” For museum professionals, Ruth’s parting advice was equally compelling: “Take risks, try new things, and trust in the process. The rewards are immeasurable.”

This collaboration serves as a powerful reminder of what’s possible when museums and schools come together to empower young learners, foster creativity, and champion inclusion. Museum professionals everywhere can draw inspiration from this project, finding new ways to make their collections and spaces accessible to all.