Memorandum submitted by D Priestley, Headteacher, Greenfield School Community and Arts College, Co Durham

 

I am writing to you as Headteacher of a successful 11-16 Specialist Arts College in its third year of designation.

 

I write to demonstrate the impact Creative Partnerships has had in our school. Our relationship with Creative Partnerships has enabled us to be effective in embedding creativity into the life of this specialist school, in terms of curriculum development, partnerships with partner schools and the overall impact of Greenfield in its wider community. Through our joint working we have been supported and enabled to understand the significance of teaching creatively and teaching for creativity.

 

It is worth saying that during our association with Creative Partnerships our results have improved significantly from 36% higher grades to 60% currently. Last year the number of NEETS was only 5% with in the context of Co. Durham is an encouraging figure.

 

In our recent Ofsted Inspection HMI Paul Hancock recognised the impact of cultural partners on the overall performance of the school and capacity to improve.

 

Our school has recently achieved Artsmark Gold. I believe that provision reflected in this is strategically in place to support significant developments in the school. Most recently we have been able to collaborate in a research project between artists and local employers which will contribute to the strengthening curriculum of the school already judged by Ofsted to be outstanding. My experiences that sometimes it needs a catalyst of outside partners to build new relationships and to give governors the confidence to commit resources to new ways of doing things.

 

We have enjoyed our close association with Creative Partnerships, Durham Sunderland and take every opportunity to share what we have learnt as part of a wider network of schools.

 

July 2007