Memorandum submitted by Ian Johnson, Principal, The Marlowe Academy, Ramsgate

 

 

With our predecessor school, The Ramsgate School, once being dubbed 'the worst school in England', a creative approach was always going to be needed to find solutions to the many issues presented in the past. Opening in September 2005, the Marlowe Academy has constantly sought to challenge convention and the traditional approach hampering so much development in our schools.

 

Innovations have included:

 

· two hour long learning sessions with built in breaks;

· a school day that runs from 8.30am through to 5.00pm for all students and staff;

· daily study sessions for all students along with a goal that no one will routinely take work home;

· enrichment or extra curricular activities built into the school day, with over 95% of students taking part;

· and a much flatter Leadership Team structure, with no Deputies or Vice Principals.

 

In addition to the above, I was also keen to get as much creativity into the teaching and learning process as possible; it seemed only natural to approach Creative Partnerships in Margate to enlist their support in making this a reality. The link has resulted in a number of key projects and initiatives:

 

Ø Creative Partnerships were involved in our staff training ahead in July 2005. They led an INSET Day for all Support and Guidance colleagues at Bodiam Castle in East Sussex. A coach and minibus for over 50 people and a variety of activities with creative practitioners throughout the day. A huge success and instrumental in helping us to develop and induct former Ramsgate colleagues to new approaches, ways of working and indeed thinking.

 

Ø Throughout our first year, Creative Partnerships worked alongside our Art/DT Team, introducing them to local practitioners and galleries. For our Year 10 Art & Design BTEC students this meant a visit to the Tate Modern, as well as two opportunities to work with local galleries; the project resulted in the group curating their own exhibition at the Margate Outfitters Gallery. A second project involved a link with a neighbouring Junior School and the creation of a special garden. Once again, staff and students were being encouraged to push their creative boundaries.

 

Ø This year has seen the focus switch to Science, with visits to scrap yards, practical examples of magnetism and a much greater emphasis upon experiential learning. Student enjoyment has increased enormously, and for our designated teacher the whole experience has proved thought-provoking; he is now much aware of what can be achieved, of what is possible.

 

Ø There is no doubt as we end our second year that the emphasis on creativity is having an impact. Exam results went up from 17% 5 A*-C GCSE grades in the Ramsgate School's final year to 28% at the end of our first year. This summer we hope to achieve 40% 5 A*-C GCSE grades, significantly higher than the 4% achieved back in 2003. We have also had our monitoring visit from HMI and could not be more pleased with the judgements contained within the report. We are clearly progressing along the right lines.

 

Ø One of the downsides of the introduction of the National Curriculum was the limited place it granted creativity within schools and the teaching and learning process. With Creative Partnerships' support, we have begun to address this imbalance with very encouraging results; I hope that we can continue to work with them in future and continue to push the boundaries of creativity. It really is very important to us and our goal of raising aspirations, providing opportunities and getting results.

 

July 2007