David Sword

Retired Director of Education

I started my professional life as a secondary school teacher in 1978 before moving into local authority curriculum and management advisory roles. I was the West Sussex Director for schools and education until 2013 when I set up my own consultancy business.

I am now retired but I founded a charity, Sussex Arts Academy, in 2015 with the aim of connecting children in schools with artists in the community to enhance their arts and cultural education and skills. To further this work SAA worked with Artswork to set up a Cultural Education Partnership in West Sussex which gave birth to Creative County West Sussex.

Throughout my career in education I have witnessed the power of arts and cultural education to transform young people’s lives. I am passionate about supporting all children, whatever their circumstances, to have access to high quality arts and cultural experiences, including working alongside professional artists and performers.