Following up on our experience and journey of producing and delivering last year’s XP Y11 Christmas Carol Study Guide, which culminated and in a beautiful CoL at the Dickens’ Museum in London, I just wanted to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions made by the students after their initial artworks and written work/reflections had been submitted for us to begin pulling the Guide together. 

The extra work that the students all put in, from the beautiful illustration and writing redrafts and provision of additional content as needed and as we specified, to coming into Comms and sitting alongside us, getting an appreciation of what we do with their work, and using their voice to critique and input on our design work and styling, made for a truly purposeful, inclusive, impactful and rewarding experience for us all. It resulted in a truly beautiful product, and, from a Comms perspective, it was truly refreshing and to have that face-to-face connection with the students.

As a consequence, and having spoken to several Heads and Expedition Leads in recent weeks about the positives and mutual benefits of such an experience, I genuinely think that exploring any opportunities for Comms to work closer with the students throughout the entirety of their expedition product journeys, whether through more rigorous and regular check-ins, specific workshops, or simply just allowing students to come into Comms and critique what we’re doing, as we’re doing it, would have huge benefits and lead to even more beautiful work.