At South Normanton Nursery School, we are committed to ensuring that our children and families experience a variety of possibilities, especially within the arts.

In 2024 we became an Ambassador with Black Shale, advocating for creativity and culture for our local children and young people. 

What is Black Shale (cultural education partnership)?

Black Shale is a collective of creatives, educators and community leaders with an ambition and commitment to children’s arts and cultural education. 

It works within a 5 mile radius of Alfreton, and partners include youth groups, artists and creatives, nursery, infant, primary, secondary and special schools, community groups, creative organisations, charities and local authorities. It is core funded by Arts Council England with additional investment from various grant funders and commissioners.

The partnership seeks to be inspired by our place and strengths - harnessing the magic and potential of living and working here. Black Shale has been working since 2018 in this way, and we know we have lot to be proud of and always more to do to make sure children and young people have access and influence over their creative, artistic and cultural experiences.

The partnership is hosted by local arts organisation Platform Thirty1  and you can find out more about our collective work at www.black-shale.co.uk