Memorandum submitted by St Ambrose Barlow RC High School, Swinton, Manchester

 

1. St Ambrose Barlow has worked with Creative Partnerships for the last 3 years. We have worked on a variety of projects ranging from an Action Research Project to improving pupils' knowledge of the media industry and presentation skills an example of which was interviewing politicians - Tessa Jowell.

 

2. St Ambrose Barlow RC High School has gained a tremendous amount whilst working with Creative Partnerships.

 

3. We have shared a creative agenda across the curriculum which has led to contribution by all departments with whole school focus on Language and Literacy

 

4. Departmental projects has led to staff have improving their creative skills and take more risks with their curriculum - they have had to move out of their comfort zone. Pupils have had the opportunity to learn in a different format and context which has a modern relevance and application.

 

5. The school has an Activity Week annually which enables good practice to be celebrated and shared with other pupils and staff and disseminated to other staff.

 

6. Our Creative projects have been inclusive in a variety of ways:

 

6.1 Engaging pupils of all abilities in raising motivation and achievement

6.2 Providing pupils with new examples of positive role models

6.3 Improved pupils knowledge of new creative job opportunities

6.4 Increased their confidence and self esteem

6.5 Increased their enjoyment of learning

6.6 Has encouraged pupil participation in post 16 related courses and it is no coincidence that attendance has improved throughout our engagement with Creative Arts Partnership because of the impact.

6.7 Examination results have increased because of the impact on the whole child.

6.8 Work with Creative Partnerships has allowed staff to engage with other creative professionals to develop and improve their own skills and knowledge.

6.9 Staff have experienced a wealth of CPD which has allowed them to develop more innovative and creative cross-curricular schemes of work

 

7. The school's capacity to broaden horizons and offer pupils the opportunity to reach their full potential has been greatly enhanced by the support given to us by Creative Arts Partnership.

 

8. In summary, the support of Creative Partnerships has enabled St Ambrose to grow capacity as an organisation, give an added dimension in terms of curriculum and brought together holistically the way staff think in terms of creativity.

 

 

July 2007