Memorandum submitted by Michelle Garvey,
Alsop High School
Role: AST Creative Learning and Teaching
Specialism: Science Biology Teacher
Teaching for 10 years 4 of that as AST worked in many
different schools through Liverpool. Develop creative learning and teaching
within Alsop High School (staff training) and manage Creative learning
projects. Also deliver training and workshops for LEA.. 1
Pupils
Achievement
Over the many projects undertaken at Alsop High School all
students involved have had a very positive learning experience which they would
not have done so without the influence and support of Creative Partnerships. 2
The students involved in projects are able to learn in a
more open ended way that links their activity to a much broader context. This
allows them to make connections with other influences in their life. 3
The invaluable experiences that students obtain from
involvement with Creative Partnerships
has lead to greater pupil motivation within the project that they then
have taken with then to the rest of their studies. 4
Last year a project linking science to art was incalculable
experience for them. The students studied Pressure and Moments by producing
paintings and an animation. This was a very low ability group and not only did
the students gain a better understanding of pressure and moments but also learnt new skills, how to work as a
group and produced work that they could take pride in and that no one else had
done. I also relished the opportunities to develop a creative scheme of work
and the chance to work with artists that provided a wealth of stimulating ideas
and a different outlook. (Copies of scheme, pupils animations and evaluations
are available upon request.) 5
Many similar projects have been developed and engaged our
students such as using digital video, Clapperboard project, textile students
working with Nook and Willow, Maths at the Tate gallery are just a few projects
that have engaged our students this year. None of which would have been
possible without the support of Creative Partnerships . 6
All these projects raise student achievements, attainment
and motivation often harnessing the most difficult and low ability students.
The wider view is also impressive as students can meet professionals form
different areas, learn how to socialise with others, work as a team and most
importantly enjoy their learning. 7
Impact on Teachers
Creative Partnerships
are not only beneficial to the learning of students but also has allowed
colleagues to promote their professional development and to enhance and gain
skills. Creative Partnerships has
helped me to plan and provide professionals to deliver two insets (one twilight
and one whole day). Both having a positive impact on the professional
development of the staff at Alsop . 8
Having creative professionals working in the school, also
has a positive impact on staff motivation when they can see their influence
upon the students. Many staff at our school have worked on a one to one basis
with the creative professionals and this has led to growth of both parties.
Many staff are now willing to set challenging and creative activities for their
students which are providing a more enlightened way for our students to move through their education. 9
Student skills and benefits
§
Creates independent learners
§ Provides
co operation and socially integrated teaching
§ Avoids
fractured knowledge
§ Shows
students how to be tolerant of errors
§ Allows
self evaluation
§ Learns
how to cope with failure and frustrations
§ Provides
meaningful enrichment
§ Promotes
self challenge and stimulation
§ Promotes
group interactions
§ Reduces
stress
§ Encourages
social interactions 10
Conclusion and recommendations
Creativity in learning is vitally
important to the continual improvement and learning experiences in our schools
for example;
• Many new course (BTEC) that need a new approach to
teaching
• Many organisations now have to train staff in
creativity as it is not addressed as a whole in schools
• Allows students to learn in an different way
• Exploits all learning styles
• Creates fun and interest in their work
• Motivates low ability classes and allows them to
achieve successes. 11
The overall experience of having
been a Creative Partnerships School is priceless, many students having gained
experiences that they would not have otherwise done. The new approaches to
learning and teaching have been essential in raising standards of our pupils
but also has led to a wider social and personal development amongst others. For
most students it is a more engaging way to learn and promotes their own skills
and as such increased confidence. This has been much the same experience for
staff who have been given the confidence to try new and challenging ways to
educate their students. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Creative
Partnerships and have now used the
skills that I have developed with them over the past few years to deliver a
Session on Creativity in Science teaching at the Merseyside Science conference
so the good practice can be promoted and shared. 12
July 2007