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Memorandum submitted by Longton High School and City Learning Centre, Stoke-on-Trent
The impact of Creative Partnerships on a Stoke-on-Trent Secondary School
1. Longton High School is an 11 - 16 comprehensive school in Stoke-on-Trent. It serves an area containing pockets of high deprivation. High levels of unemployment and low wages have led to low self esteem and aspirations. It is 1 of 7 core Creative Partnerships Secondary schools in the Local Authority. We put in a bid to be a core school because we believed that the Partnership would address the barriers to achievement in the school by:
· Improving self confidence and self esteem · Raising aspirations · Engaging students in learning · Giving students a voice · Convincing staff that creativity could benefit all subjects thereby addressing more carefully the learning needs of our young people
2 We can already evidence the impact in attitudes, sefl-esteem, skills and performance of students and staff.
3 The first project Hearts on Fire introduced the methodology of Creative Partnership using student voice, linking subjects and staff to create and deliver the project. This began to address the role of creativity in other subject areas and bring staff 'on board'.
4 The second project addressed the school's need to raise attainment in science which was far too low. This was because of staffing problems which led to students having poor attitudes to science and a belief it had no relevance in their lives. Creative Partnerships helped us address this using a theatre company. Actors from "Reveal Theatre Company" worked with staff and students. The result was a debate on Evolution v Creation and the teaching materials produced had a definite impact (see evaluation enclosed).
5 So clear was this effect that other staff wanted to embrace creative strategies and a hugely successful INSET day led by Creative Partnership involved creative opportunities for staff. CAT (Cognitive Assessment Test) data was used to identify the learning styles of students and the Creative Partners involved showed how creativity could be used to reflect this.
6 Many other projects have followed; a multi-ethnic fashion show involving designing, making the clothes, doing the make-up and modelling the final product. This improved design skills, needlework skills, make-up skills, poise and presentational skills. It also developed confidence and self esteem. Students were also involved in making foods from different countries.
7 Another project involved producing a film about the past, present and future of the school. It involved animation, filming, interviewing and editing the final project. All new skills for many of our students (see student letter for their views).
8 In terms of hard evidence - we can demonstrate improved attainment at KS3 & 4 in 2006. (The KS3 science results were part of this). A letter from the Schools' Minister, indicating that we were one of the best performing schools in terms of school improvement, the granting of Specialist Arts College Status and an OFSTED acknowledging us as an improving school, show the progress we have made. Our work with Creative Partnerships has definitely contributed to this.
July 2007
ANNEX
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Creative Partnerships Science Drama Project
Results of Survey/Questionnaire
Q1 Did you enjoy learning about how scientists work using drama reconstructions Yes 80% No 9% No response/not sure 11%
Q2 After the play do you see Scientists as real people, not just someone in a "whitecoat" Yes 88% No 2% No response/not sure 9%
Q3 Do you understand that sometimes scientists are affected by social or religious or other non science issues Yes 69% No 6% No response/not sure 9%
Q4 Would you like to take part in similar activities again Yes 92% No 8%
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June 2007
Dear Sir,
We are writing to you from Longton High School to invite you to the Creative Partnerships Conference in Stoke on the 3rd July. We think that it is really important that you come and see what Creative Partnerships is about as we think it's brilliant! Last week, we worked for five days with a professional film company called Jovian Films. During the project we learnt how to plan, produce and edit a film, including doing some animation. Learning like this was really interesting, and we have learnt lots of new skills which we can use in the future. Some of us are already using these film making skills in history where we are making a film about the bombing of Dresden in World War II.
The film we made with Jovian Films will be premiered at our launch this Thursday when we become a Specialist Arts College. The theme of the film is the past, present and future of Longton High. The film will also be shown along with other Creative Partnerships work that Longton has done at the conference on the 3rd July. This includes some students running a coffee bar, and a workshop on confidence boosting.
We hope that you can attend as it will be a great day, and you will be able to see our film! Creative Partnerships is just one of the great things going on in our school. We hope that you will find out more when you come to visit us.
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