Delight is a Surrey‑based education charity dedicated to improving outcomes for children through high‑quality arts‑based learning. Working in partnership with schools, cultural organisations and professional artists, Delight designs programmes that build creativity, confidence and wellbeing, particularly for pupils who face disadvantage. Their work ensures that every child, regardless of background, can access enriching cultural experiences that support both personal development and academic progress.

Delight’s Rainforest Retreat programme is a vivid example of this mission in action. Bringing the wonder of the Amazon into Surrey classrooms, the six‑week visual arts programme blends high‑quality creative practice with curriculum-linked learning to create an immersive experience for pupils and teachers alike.

“Whenever I walk inside the classroom, I feel like I am in a real rainforest.” Child Participant

Across half a term, pupils work with their class teacher to explore a wide range of art materials and techniques designed by professional artists. They learn skills in drawing, pattern, and papercraft to create 2D and 3D artworks that transform their classroom into a vibrant rainforest installation. Children are given the opportunity to reflect on their learning and journal to record their progress and support understanding, all whilst developing resilience and creative confidence. Families are then invited to a celebratory exhibition, giving children the chance to share their achievements with pride. Pupils also benefit from a take-home art pack, providing them with materials and art supplies that they might not otherwise have access to at home.

Teachers receive CPD and step‑by‑step video guidance from Paintbox artists, ensuring they feel confident delivering the sessions and able to embed new techniques into their wider practice. Many report that the programme boosts their own creative confidence as much as the children’s, and the ‘How to…’ films provide the opportunity to demonstrate skills on a wider scale (rather than attempting to have the whole class crowd round the teacher) and allow for learners who may be neurodivergent or have delayed processing to work at a pace they feel comfortable with. The whole programme is designed to make delivery as easy as possible for teachers, which is especially useful for those who are less confident in the subject.

“Delight projects give another avenue for children to express themselves in a constructive way, developing vocabulary and creative skills along the way… Investing in cultural experiences beyond the norm are an important part in tackling disadvantage and improving outcomes for children.” Headteacher

Evaluation data shows significant benefits for pupils, particularly those eligible for Pupil Premium:

• 92% showed improved social and emotional wellbeing
• 56% demonstrated increased learning engagement
• 90% displayed enhanced creative development

Teachers report noticeable improvements in pupils’ confidence, risk‑taking, and pride in their work. Some note that linked literacy work, such as descriptive writing, improves as children draw on their immersive rainforest experience. Parents also describe children continuing their artwork at home, eager to share what they’ve learned.

“I have a child in my class who struggles to sit for long periods of time, so he usually colours his own rubbers and cuts up bits of paper he finds on the floor, and things like that. But with Delight he was so engaged. His mum would come and speak to me on Friday because we did art on a Thursday afternoon, and he would go home and tell his mum how much he was loving it. I sat with him on one of the days, and we coloured in together. He finds it quite hard, but he was so engaged and trying his hardest. I’ve never seen him work so hard, and he really wanted to impress his parents when they came in, so that was my highlight—the fact that he wanted to do it and was motivated to do it. His confidence has grown.” Teacher

Rainforest Retreat does more than brighten a classroom – it nurtures creative voice, resilience and joy in learning. By combining artist‑designed resources, teacher development and community celebration, the programme leaves a lasting impact on pupils, teachers and families across Surrey.

Find out more here: https://delightcharity.org.uk/programmes/rainforest-retreat/