A £2,000 grant has been awarded to college tutors to carry out innovative teaching research that encourages creative students to improve their language skills.

Creative Arts tutors at Blackburn College were awarded the grant as part of the Education and Training Foundation’s ‘Exploratory Research in Maths and English Programme’ and will now present their findings at a national conference.

Jo Conlon and Jamie Holman’s research looked at improving the art and design students’ English skills to help them transition to university.

They created a 'fine art' reading group with 20 of the students using art work and artists' written pieces to support students learning.

Jo, from Chorley, said: “There is often a large gap between the English language skills of art and design learners at level three and the expectations of university study, which involves writing dissertations.

“We find that our students can speak incredibly eloquently but when it comes to putting their ideas down on paper, many students find it much harder.”

The tutors used books to spark the student’s imaginations.

Student Julie Wade, 56, from Great Harwood, said: “I thoroughly enjoyed the reading group and I feel my English skills have slightly improved. But more than that the group taught me a whole new way of reading and understanding. I have never read a book so deeply."