Earlier in the year I invited schools and colleges to send me news of any study trips that they had undertaken and that they felt had made a difference to the teaching of Art and Design in their centre. I’m pleased to say that Southport College has responded with a report of two extraordinary trips to India and masses of lovely photographs. My thanks to Jane Bennett, Course Leader for the FAD - a £50 Amazon voucher is on its way to you. I hope other schools and colleges will find this inspiring!

To tie in with International Women's Day on 8 March, the Saatchi Gallery in London is currently showing a major exhibition on Indian Art Today which features the work of female artists Pushpamala N and Clare Arni, Bharti Kher and a host of others whose work challenges cultural and social taboos in India. I've selected a few examples to inspire you.