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Memorandum submitted by West Kirby Grammar School, Wirral
1. Before working with Creative Partnerships (CP) the school was a high attaining but traditional school in terms of management and teaching style, but was ready for change.
2. Creativity, encouraging challenge and increased independent learning have become an integral part of the school's aims and vision and feature strongly in the School Improvement Plan. Working with CP has proved to be a catalyst for these changes.
3. Initial work involved some "one-off" events within the original small team of staff and departments, but has evolved into far wider cross curricular approaches. Many CP projects continue to be linked to Science and have been further developed through Science College and G&T initiatives, but during the last twelve months changes have spread across the school through a Head of Department Creative Development group, working with a teaching and learning consultant through CP.
4. Over the four years that we have worked with CP, teachers have been encouraged to look outside the classroom and its four walls in order to challenge the able and enthuse their students. Students have become more engaged and aware of how they have learnt. It has helped pupils to build confidence and self esteem and to build bridges across the subjects. Both staff and pupils have been able to appreciate the value of working with external creatives and our projects, cross curricular links and planning developments have been enriched by upwards of 30 such external creative individuals and organisations.
5. All work has been monitored and evaluated and feedback from students, parents, creatives and teachers has been extremely positive and is the best testament to the value of CP in increasing motivation, self esteem and innovation. The following four sections therefore contain examples taken from the 1000s of quotes that we have lifted from the evaluations of a range of projects undertaken with CP. We feel that they speak for themselves.
6. Student quotes
Evaluation 1 (A one day workshop, in school, on habitats and adaptations with the science being taught through dance, drama, art, music, and poetry as well as supported laboratory investigations)
"a really good day - I had lots of fun and learnt a lot" "it was a lot more fun and made me listen and concentrate more" "I remember more of the information that is being taught" "better than a normal science lesson because I liked the art and music" "Great day! Enjoyed the art and singing. FAB!!
Evaluation 2 (Rainforest workshop - science, art, music and poetry - with an instantaneous unrehearsed show for parents at the end of the day)
"it was different because it was Science, Art, Music and English all at the same time" "we had more freedom within a subject and we seemed to work better as a group and put lots of all our ideas together" "it made poetry seem more interesting" "The workshop was excellent! I think working with the poet was good and I learnt a lot" "My parents thought it was great" "instead of just reading our poems we acted them out to reinforce the science" "I'm more confident after being on stage" "The showcase at the end was good because it allowed everyone to show what they had done during the day"
Evaluation 3 (Habitat Walls project - looking at different environments through design and modelling - the end product is a 3D display area, designed by the students, occupying the whole wall of a lab and used to display the adaptations models that the students make)
"I really enjoyed it because it was creative and it made the work more exciting" "I enjoyed it because we don't usually get to make things in science and it was a change from our normal lessons" "We thought it was fun because we got to make up our own designs and we found out a lot about adaptations and habitats" " I thought it was interesting because you got to make different things and work with different people"
Evaluation 4 (Hotel Project - a cross curricular approach involving Technology, Science, Mathematics, English, Drama and MFL)
"I am looking forward to visiting the cafes and hotels and having people coming in and telling us about their jobs" ".....because I learn more when someone from outside tells me things" "linking all the subjects together seemed to give it more meaning"
Evaluation 5 (Movement project involving cooperation between Biology and Art lessons, film making and the production of a CD by the students for future groups to benefit from.)
"Making the CD was fun and interesting. It was unusual because we don't normally do that kind of thing in Biology. It was a way of learning without actually realising that I was learning things. I would like to do something like that again in the future because I think that I would achieve more - I paid more attention during this work."
"it was also good because it was easier to learn because we were learning physically instead of just listening"
"I liked the way that everyone was involved and at the end of the project we had produced a CD which made it all feel worthwhile. I liked making the bone sculpture in art and it was good to think that you can link Art with Biology - it makes it seem more interesting. I hope to do more projects in the future because it was a fun and more interesting way to learn and I felt that I could take the information in better."
Evaluation 6 (A one day workshop, in school, on Space with the science being taught through dance, drama, art, music, and poetry as well as supported laboratory investigations)
"I think it is a really good way to learn science because it captures your attention and then you listen and learn." "It was really good because you learn in different ways" "I enjoy visual learning and this was a fun way to teach me" "It was a great way to learn as it was interesting and you learn a great deal without realising it." "Although it was educational we had a really fun time making and designing our satellite" "It kept my attention" "Fab! Thank you!" "I think this is a great way of learning science because it is very active and it makes you want to think and concentrate on learning, because it is fun." "I missed the afternoon and really wish that I could have done the last 2 sessions." "I think that being interactive with science helps me learn more." "I enjoyed it because we weren't stuck behind desks. We were more excited to learn than normal." "I think it is much better because you do practicals and work other subjects into it." "We paid more attention and contributed to the lessons more." "It was really good because it didn't feel like we were being taught anything, but we learnt a lot and had fun." ".....because it's fun and you want to learn." "I can remember what I learnt better because I can think back to the workshop."
Evaluation 7 (Summer school - a 7 day event for Year 6 and 7 pupils based around how animals survive in different habitats, involving a wide range of workshops, the building of suitable working environments, design of creatures and a parent's day at the end ( a second summer school will take place this summer, based on the science of Space).
"It was cool!" "It makes you want to learn more" "I loved working in the rooms after we had designed them" "It was really fun and helped me learn a lot more because I could concentrate and understand a lot better." "It was fun and challenging." "I liked the drama and dance but we were still doing science." "The trips were brilliant" "I made lots of new friends and worked with different people"
Evaluation 8 (Science based cross curricular events run by WKGS for year 6 and 7 pupils across the region)
"It was loads and loads better than the usual way (of learning science)! By miles! "It was cool. We just sit in the lab doing worksheets in school, so this challenges us more" "The actual experiments in the labs were amazing" "My least favourite activity was "Going home"
Evaluation 9 (DNA activity based workshop, involving building and coding, practical work and modelling)
"Exciting and unique" "I found out such a lot. It was a great experience" "I really enjoyed it today. It was great and really fascinating" "wow - this is actually DNA - I'm looking at the chemical of life!!" - verbal comment
Evaluation 10 (a History project on war since 1945 working with a professional photographer, using multiple images and linking to drama)
"It was a very different way of learning, but I think it worked very well. It will stick in my mind" "I enjoyed it - it made me think how lucky we are - I felt sad - Thank you" "I enjoyed it - I was quite happy to work into lunch - the drama was fun." "I thought that this was a really good way to learn about wars. I thought it was a great idea to use images to help us think of them." "I honestly really enjoyed working this way. It helped me learn about the Vietnam war and it was sooooooo fun."
7. Parental quotes
Evaluation 1 (see above)
"--a thoroughly invigorating mix of drama, dance, science, poetry and music" "---had a fab day. She enjoyed her drama and dance as well as the more traditional experiments"
Evaluation 2 (see above)
"I enjoyed the show - it was an interesting approach (to teaching science)" "it was lovely to see all the poetry and art they were doing" "it must have been quite frightening.... and quite exciting... (doing an instant unrehearsed show for parents) ...sometimes by doing things instantly you get more inspiration and people rise to the occasion ...... it would be interesting to do this with the mums and dads and see if they could achieve the same effect" - video interview with parent
Evaluation 4 (see above)
"It will make her more aware of her surroundings. She will evaluate information and appreciate the amount of work and effort of a real life working environment" "if my daughter can relate her studies to the real world, it should encourage her in the classroom."
Evaluation 5 (see above)
"I am very impressed with the quality of the program that the girls have made. They seem very proud of it and have obviously enjoyed making it......especially the commentary. It seems a very interesting way to teach a topic." - approximation to verbal comment by parent to whom the CD had been presented on Open Evening.
Evaluation 7 (see above)
"My daughter has always been interested in science and art so this has been wonderful. She enjoyed learning science through art and drama." "She has been smiling and happy all week" "It has definitely increased her interest in science." "It has given her a different view of science" "My daughter has enjoyed the whole experience" "It has raised my daughter's awareness of both science and the art subjects and made her realise they are not mutually exclusive." "...keen to go in the morning and tired but happy at night (and he's learning!)" "She arrived home and told me everything she had done each day - which is unusual" "Absolutely fantastic and a wonderful experience"
Of the final showcase:- "excellent" "marvellous" "very rewarding" "very impressive" "a super way to end the week" "all children were clearly proud of their achievements"
Evaluation 8 (see above)
"It was great to be invited to see what the children had been doing" "The big smile she met me with said more than words" "Thank you for this opportunity for young people to study in an unconventional manner" "The fact that he is talking about it already tells me he has enjoyed it - he normally doesn't give much feedback." "Fantastic. Should have more such events for personality, knowledge and creativity development." "She is buzzing about the experiments" "A wonderful event and very impressed that they did so much in one day." "We're very pleased our son has had this opportunity." "She has learned too much to write down." "Excellent and hopefully stimulating - will help her to continue with being interested and enthusiastic about science and different and unique ways of learning it." "An excellent opportunity for many children to get together and learn in a fun way" "She's tired out, but would like to do it again!" "My daughter said it was lots of fun and has motivated her to learn more about science" "Excellent enjoyable day. Good to have the opportunity to experience the work that the children took part in."
One parent commented that he was so pleased to see that schools are now using drama to teach science. He works at the Royal Liverpool Hospital and uses drama to teach medical students more effectively.
8. Teacher quotes
Evaluation 1 (see above)
"The creation of an exciting working environment makes a huge difference to the impact of an activity" "One of the biggest challenges was for able science students to work through drama etc, and they did this most effectively. "It has increased my motivation / enthusiasm for taking a different approach" "A fantastic project that has generated motivation and enthusiasm amongst staff and students involved. A great way to meet and work with new people, with new and refreshing approaches to teaching" "This has brought more science teachers together in school and has encouraged more departments to want to be involved in developing the "creative model" "the model for creativity is gaining new facets with each project we do" "this has affected other teachers work, in other schools, who observed the day. They have said they will use the ideas in their own teaching"
Evaluation 2 (see above)
"It was very clear that pupils went from being inhibited and suspicious, to being more confident and proud of their work - happy to show what they had done and to celebrate others' work" - English teacher "...would love to have the opportunity for developing future such cross-curricular projects" - Art teacher "All three areas helped to develop teamwork and sharing of ideas - it was encouraging to see how much most students "opened up" as the day progressed." - science teacher "Some of the shy pupils became more involved in activities and some of the girls who lack focus started to take more interest and be more motivated to do their best." - music teacher "pupils developed their ideas in a creative way, unrestrained by the curriculum. Students engaged in more evaluation and reflection." - music teacher
Evaluation 3 (see above)
"This approach gave an extra dimension to teaching this topic and the students are very proud of the end result. They have a degree of ownership of this excellent new resource and are keen to produce good models to display in it"
Evaluation 4 (see above) - staff evaluation of creative input.
"excellent" "inspiring" "good for department uniformity and direction" "will help to improve delivery of the planned curriculum" "good ideas which I could actually try" (about potential of input) "Keep it coming. It is interesting and if it works for some then it can only be good" "It is amazing to see how this project has made such a difference to the school with the students own designs changing the whole of the entrance hall."
Evaluation 5 (see above)
"The students appreciated the links made between 3 very different subjects." "I enjoyed going to an Art lesson and working with a sculptor on a biological topic. The project meant much more communication with another department which has led to discussions for other possibilities." "The students were delighted with the end product of the CD. They seemed to feel real pride and ownership in it."
Evaluation 6 (see above) - approximations to verbal responses on the day.
"The students really seemed to enjoy working so closely with the Sixth Formers when doing the lab sessions" "The girls have really thrown themselves into the artistic workshops - they have been fully involved all day" "I am very pleased to see how much science has been worked into the art based workshops" - science teacher (this is due to high level of cooperative planning between school and creatives) "...was a fabulous opportunity for students to work in small groups and participate in some truly child-centred learning. The use of the arts enabled students who are usually not engaged by Physics to access a wide range of space-related concepts"
Evaluation 7 (see above) - approximation to verbal comments between the 2 organisers after the final day, both of whom felt sad that it had ended, despite it being the middle of the holidays.
"This sort of thing reminds you why you wanted to be a teacher" "This has been the best few days I have had in teaching for years - this is what it's all about"
Evaluation 8 (see above)
"teachers from other schools were able to see that the value of creative teaching and learning strategies and techniques are as applicable to science as to the more "obvious" subjects"
Evaluation 10 (see above)
"This project.....provided the students with an excellent opportunity to build upon many of the historical skills they have already developed. The students thoroughly enjoyed the experience and benefited from the opportunity to take ownership of their own learning. Their final presentations were excellent. All groups were confident in their delivery and took full advantage of opportunity to use drama as a method to display their understanding of how people reacted to War during the twentieth century" - history teacher
Evaluation 11 (the whole Mathematics department took part in training with a CP creative practitioner who specialises in creative approaches to teaching Maths and making effective resources to challenge thinking)
"Some excellent and different ideas" "This type of active learning resource will be integrated into our Schemes of Work across all Key Stages." " It was very useful to know in detail how the activities were designed - helps with using the activities and with designing your own." "The day has made it immediately possible to design your own activities much more successfully." "The course content will inspire me to use similar activities in my lessons which will hopefully engage my students in their lessons and make them enjoy Maths more (than they already do)." "Great ideas and delivery - felt enthusiastic about creating new resources and lessons" "Many ideas given about how best to target a particular topic and how to deliver a particular idea"
Evaluation 12 (A 12 month creative sharing group attended half termly by 20 members of staff from across all departments in the school)
"More cross-curricular links will be made which will be very valuable" "Great ideas for starting topics" "Great to find out what we are doing in relation to other subjects - very interesting" "It has been great to get an understanding of what is happening across the school" "it has increased communication between departments and provided time for staff to share and reflect"
Evaluation 13 (English project to improve spoken English and presentation skills - working with an external practitioner)
"The afternoon was useful in highlighting to students the positive effect their contributions can have to lessons. It seemed to give the students confidence to express their opinions..........made students evaluate the importance of developing their listening skills..."
Evaluation 14 (A business Studies project where Year 9 students who had opted for this subject at GCSE had a chance to familiarise themselves with different aspects of the subject. They worked with a drama consultant on various aspects of forming an imaginary business including a "Dragon's Den" style activity)
"The students were unsure at first but soon gained in confidence and were fully engaged by the end of the day" - verbal comment "I felt that the day went extremely well and fulfilled my objectives which were negotiated between myself and JK (the creative - drama)" "a number of excellent ice-breakers were used that maintained a good pace and focus for the students" "the standard (of the presentations) was very good and the students had a lot of fun whilst learning a lot"
9. Creative practitioner quotes
Evaluation 1 (see above) "I feel that the project engaged the young people involved and got them to take the scientific theory they are learning to other realms" - artist "the fact that students could venture into different artistic disciplines and absorb so much science was great." - musician "the whole of this project has had me fully engaged from planning to delivery" - dancer "it has made me push boundaries with my practice and I feel that I can meet new challenges" - dancer "Planning with science staff has been a new and rewarding experience" - dancer "the success of the overall project was underpinned by the creation, largely through the CP ASC programme, of a network of creatives from different backgrounds, who know each others' work and trust each other" - drama specialist "the project has encouraged pupils to make connections they had not previously seen" - drama
Evaluation 2 (see above)
"I really enjoyed it - the kids seemed incredibly interested in using the science that they knew and putting it into poems" - poet (video interview) "It was amazing how well they performed their work without any rehearsal ... some were not keen to go on stage but were glad that they did" - poet (verbal comment)
Evaluation 4 (see above)
"The sessions went well and I was pleased to present my designs to a young audience and perhaps inspire any "would be" designers amongst them."
Evaluation 7 (see above)
".....allowing small groups of participants to model how they were going to transform the classrooms into particular environments worked well. Allowing them to make the decisions and implement them was key to the success of the environments activity" - 3D artist "I was nervous about creating the space creatures from designs that I had not had an input to...but the important thing in reality was that the participants (students) had been involved...in short this gives me more confidence to hand more and more of the process over to the participants (students)." - 3D artist ""The ownership that the participants felt over the rooms was highly beneficial in stimulating their thoughts on how they could use the rooms." - 3D artist "I am now much more comfortable working with young people who are classed as highly academic" - artist "the young people seemed much more open to ideas...I have covered a lot of ground in integrating scientific theory into creative practice." - artist "I was genuinely taken aback by the levels of engagement and enthusiasm that the students displayed..." - drama specialist "(It shows that) creative spaces tend to lead to creativity" - drama "students ...will definitely retain a great deal of scientific knowledge" - musician "Many students who claimed not to be musical realised they are" - musician
10. We have been undertaking a journey towards creativity in planning, teaching and learning; towards increased risk taking by both students and teachers; towards increased links between departments and with creative industries and towards active learning and increased skill developments by our students. This has been made possible by our work with Creative Partnerships Merseyside.
11. However, far from having reached the end of the journey we feel that this has only been the first stage. It has taken four years to reach this point and as a Lead Creative School we are now able to share our journey with other schools within our collaborative and with all schools across the Wirral through a Creative Learn to Learn programme.
12. Staff, within the schools to which dissemination has occurred, have been very interested in the progress that we have made, but they are very aware that it is the support of CP that has allowed us to develop in this way. Schools can motivate staff and develop sustainable creative approaches through modelling successful examples, but these require the sort of support that is given by CP to initiate, guide and support for the first few years. Most schools have not yet had this advantage.
13. The trend of examination results has risen at West Kirby over recent years. There have been multiple factors involved in this, making it difficult to identify the precise contribution by any one. However development made through our work with CP has certainly been one of these factors.
14. We hope to continue to improve results, provide wider experiences and develop our own programmes, both within school and in our dissemination role for other schools, through continued work with CP.
July 2007 |