Creative programmes for Year 7-9 students finding school difficult
We know that school environments can be stressful for many young people, whether it’s the physical size, busy environment, uncomfortable uniforms, rigid structures, difficulties navigating social interactions or other reasons. Croydon Council in partnership with A Collective are piloting a series of creative programmes to support Year 7, 8 and 9 students who are finding it difficult to attend and/or engage with school due to high anxiety, sensitivity and/or neurodivergence. Offering weekly no-pressure creative spaces, the programme will support young people to develop self-esteem, confidence and friendships, with an ultimate aim of improving wellbeing and access to wider support systems.
How it works
The programme offers term-time weekly sessions where young people can explore and be themselves alongside others. Facilitated by neurodivergent professional artists, young people will have the opportunity to take part in a wide range of creative activities decided with the young people themselves. From drawing to badge making, stop-motion animation, fashion design and more, the programme is led by young people’s interests with support from professionals.
Crucially, all sessions are designed to be safe, supportive spaces where young people can participate however they need to:
- You are welcome to come and see if you like it before joining for real.
- It’s ok to be late! We’d love to see you.
- It’s ok to say ‘no’ – you only have to take part in activities if you want to. If you want to watch first and then try it out, that’s okay, too.
- You don’t have to speak or work with others if you don’t want to, but you will have the chance to meet others if you like.
- You don’t have to sit still or remain ‘straight’ in your chair. We will all participate however we feel most comfortable.
- All art supplies will be provided, and you’ll be able to take them home to continue working on projects between sessions if you wish.
- For sessions not in schools, parents/carers can stay in a room nearby, and young people can check in with them and re-join the group as needed.
- All sessions are neuro-affirming, designed and delivered by neurodivergent artists from A Collective (find out more about A Collective in the photo below!).
During the Autumn 2025 term, the programme is offering two strands:
- In-school Strand: open to Archbishop Tenison’s students, meeting after-school on Tuesdays
- Community Strand: open to all young people living in Croydon or registered with a Croydon school, meeting at Thornton Heath Library on Saturdays from 11:00-12:45pm
Strands for the Spring 2026 term (January-March 2026) will be announced soon. Please email CreativeHealth@croydon.gov.uk to be notified once announced.
Who it’s for
The programme is open to young people living or registered with a school in Croydon who are finding attending or engaging with school challenging due to high anxiety, sensitivity and/or neurodivergence, regardless of current attendance status. This includes students who are:
- attending full time, but feeling exhausted, burnt out or otherwise struggling
- attending, but avoiding or not engaging in certain lessons (sometimes called ‘soft truancy’)
- attending, but have experienced low attendance in the past
- attending on a reduced timetable
- attending only occasionally
- not attending at all
This programme is especially designed to support young people who are, or may be, autistic, regardless of diagnosis status. The programme especially suits young people who may:
- Be ‘fine’ at school, but experience high levels of anxiety and fatigue once home (i.e., masking)
- Experience anxiety around attending school; this might include physical symptoms such as chronic pain, stomach upset or difficulty sleeping
- Avoid particular lessons, or be absent towards the end of week or term (when they may be experiencing burnout)
- Struggle to connect with others at lunchtime or other non-structured times of the school day
- Appear to ‘people please’ or always try to respond with the ‘right’ answer, rather than giving their own opinion or preferences
- Stay quiet in the back of the classroom or otherwise avoid attention
- Be reluctant to answer questions that written work indicates they know
- Appear to ‘zone out’ even in favourite subjects
- Be sensitive to injustice
This programme is not suitable for young people with intellectual/learning disabilities, who require 1:1 support at school or who struggle in group environments (e.g., have problems with turn taking or sharing space with others).
To take part
If you are a parent or carer and want to ask any questions, meet the team, arrange a trial visit or simply sign up, please get in touch with the team on CreativeHealth@croydon.gov.uk. We will be happy to arrange a call to discuss any questions, and complete a short Registration Form with you.
If you are a school or professional and would like more information or to refer a young person, please use the following documents:
Please note, a school/professional referral is not required to take part, but can provide useful information and/or make it easier for families by allowing the Creative Health team to initiate contact.
Feedback
As a pilot project, we are keen to hear from families and professionals to understand how the programme can best fit your needs. If you would like to give feedback about how we could change or improve the project to better suit your young person – this could include the day of the week, time, length, location, ages, content, delivery style (e.g., online), registration pathways or any other ideas – or to enquire about hosting an in-school project at your school or MAT, please get in touch on CreativeHealth@croydon.gov.uk.