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Memorandum submitted by Whitley Memorial CE First School, Northumberland
1. In 2005 we became a Creative Partnerships school. Our aim was to truly become a thinking' school' where 'creativity' was at the heart of the learning process. We wanted to establish a creative learning environment both inside and outside the classroom so we drew up a 3 year action plan and set off on a most exciting journey.
2. 2005/06 was a very
successful year. Our involvement with Creative Partnerships enabled us to work
with a number of artists, storytellers, dancers and musicians resulting in a
wide range of exciting opportunities for both pupils and staff. Every child had
the opportunity to work directly with a 'creative' as well as being involved
with performances and activities. The visit of Taffy Thomas led to the creation
of our own storyteller's chair in the school grounds and sowed the seeds for
the development of our Storytelling Garden, as well as providing the stimulus
for our own storyteller's cloak. The 'Tree of Life' acted as a stimulus for KS1
pupils inspiring their own 'storytelling trees' whilst the Early Years were
involved in a project involving a singer and a storyteller. KS2's Africa
Project produced some excellent work and the whole school really enjoyed the
visit of Black Umfolosi. We finished the year with a 'Sculpture Week' which
produced a variety of permanent and semi permanent structures. 3. The focus for 2006/07 was
the exploration of our local heritage. KS2 undertook a very ambitious project
looking at the mining industry in Bedlington during Victorian times. They
worked with local historians, musicians, visual artists, drama specialists and
media experts to make a film based on an actual mining accident. The quality of
work produced was excellent and we were asked to share the 'creative process'
with other schools. Y1 have looked at Bedlington from Victorian times until the
Second World War and presented the process as their entry into the Digital
Learning Awards. The culmination of the
whole project was the re-creation of a Miners' Picnic circa 1950. Each class
designed and made full size banners which reflected what they had learnt
throughout the year. Parents and members of the parish made their own banners,
highlighting the important role they play in the life of the school. The day
began with a procession of the banners and was followed by a picnic,
traditional singing and dancing and a variety of stalls and attractions. It was
a really memorable occasion particularly for some of our grandparents and older
visitors who could remember the original event. 4. In addition, our
'storytelling garden' is really taking shape. Our summerhouse, pergola and
mystical mushroom area was completed just before Christmas and is being used
for creative and imaginative play. Our storyteller's chair was christened in an
outside ceremony last term and during this term our KS2 children worked in role
as Landscape Garden Companies designing another area of the garden. They
presented their ideas to the Governing Body in June and next year they will be
involved in implementing their designs. 5. In January of this year we received a letter from the LEA commending us on our 'excellent, vibrant, creative curriculum' and we are currently part of a Creative Partnerships/QCA working party looking at curriculum change.
6. It is our involvement with Creative Partnerships that has brought about this curriculum change. The children are much more engaged in the learning process and staff are continually revising their planning and looking at different strategies to bring the curriculum alive. In addition to supporting projects Creative Partnerships have organised INSET for both teaching and non teaching staff as well as regular forums to disseminate good practice. They have also afforded schools the opportunity to work with different groups and attend special events. We have benefited from working with groups such as Black Umfolosi and Culture Brasil and the ariel dance workshop at Alnwick Garden is something our Y4 children will never forget.
7. We have also been fortunate in having our own 'creative' who is allocated time to spend with us to discuss ideas. In our case this has been particularly beneficial. As well as working with the children, he has provided INSET for staff and been a valuable sounding board for new ideas and projects.
8. We are strongly of the opinion that this way of working is preparing our young people for life in the 21st Century and sincerely hope that funding for Creative Partnerships continues. In the meantime we look forward to another exciting year in 2007/08.
July 2007 ANNEX 1
Creative Partnerships A Creative's Perspective
1. I am freelance professional artist and education consultant working in the north east of England.
2. My partnership with Whitley Memorial C/E First School has been an immensely rewarding and positive experience. I have worked in many educational settings and contexts but as a practitioner with Creative Partnerships I have been able to establish a long term and sustained relationship with one particular school. This method of working has really allowed for effective, long term planning and targeting of the skills and experiences that I have to offer. Rather than one off, one size fits all workshops I have been able to target effective support and training for both the teachers, learners, parents and others, not only in the arts but as an introduction to the creative approaches that have benefits across the whole curriculum.
3. As an arts practitioner I have real concerns about the long term status of the arts both in society and in education. These types of partnerships allow practitioners to develop a detailed and comprehensive understanding of the extent and quality of creative approaches in education and the circumstances where it can flourish. Creative Partnerships has been able to act as a link between the school and other members of the creative community and I know that all those in the school have a much greater understanding of how their work is part of a whole network of creative thinkers and innovators. The students now know a whole range of musicians, dancers, filmmakers and artists, they are real people, people that they can emulate, consult and remember when they construct their own paths through adult life.
4. The work of Creative Partnerships must continue because it is really beginning to take root and the unique benefits of its innovative approaches will only truly become evident when our present learners begin to apply the creative and independent approaches that they have experienced as adults in a wider, more diverse society.
Tony Murray - Creative in Residence Whitley Memorial C/E First School Bedlington, Northumberland
ANNEX 2
Creative Partnerships A Parent's Perspective
1. My name is Veronica Faid, I live in Bedlington and have 3 children, all of whom have attended Whitley Memorial C/E First School. My youngest, aged 8, is in Year 3 and has currently enjoyed 2 years of the benefits of being in a Creative Partnership. I have seen the effects of the partnership not only on my own child and myself but also on the school as a whole whilst being a volunteer helper for some of this time. There have been so many occasions to mention that I will only highlight some of them.
2. Taffy Thomas:- When Taffy visited the children last year with his wonderful coat, tasselled hat and carved story teller's seat he had the aura of a modern day Merlin. The beautifully embroidered coat held the key to every story he told. A child picked his favourite animal from it and Taffy began a tale that captured the children's attention and kept them quiet and still. Afterwards, the school had a storyteller's seat built in the school grounds and Taffy revisited to present it. Now the children use it to play and springboard their own stories and group activities outside. Meeting him enabled me to notice him again at other local events like the Morpeth Gathering where my own children enjoyed listening to him once more - and he can't escape - we have tracked him down to where he is based and when we go on holiday we look out for him!
3. The Tree of Life:- This was a surprise visit for the children at school and I was fortunate enough to witness this event. The children watched spellbound as a story unfolded by means of music, props and puppetry. I have to say I was as interested as the children who really were silent and fascinated. There was such a buzz afterwards in the classroom that everyone wanted it to continue and the teachers ran with the theme and caught a huge wave of creativity from the children. They made their own tree of life and went on to create their own stories. A thoroughly enjoyable experience.
4. Beamish Visit/Victorian Experience:- My son in Year 3 visited Beamish in County Durham and as part of the experience the children all wore Victorian clothing (much mirth trying on granddad's/great granddad's caps, scarves, waistcoats etc). As I was on the visit I enjoyed living the day in the Victorian era, enduring scary Victorian teachers, damp, pokey mines and trundling along on a tram! Again my son and I thoroughly enjoyed the day and came away relieved that teachers weren't like that anymore ...well not normally! The children in Year 1 learned how the Victorian people lived at a much slower pace of life having a much harder existence because of the lack of electricity in the home. The children dressed up as Victorians and learned how to use a washboard, carbolic soap and a poss tub and really learned how to scrub cloth by hand. They polished brass until it shone and beat the carpets. The teachers got into the spirit and made them work hard! The old items such as washing bowls and jugs, old stone hot water bottles and potties helped them understand how life would have been for them as they all had a go using them (erm ... potty not included in that). Everyone had huge fun.
5. Woodhorn Museum/Death of a Miner:- This visit again opened the eyes of the young children to realise what it was like to be a miner. As most of the men in my family, going back generations on both sides, were miners, I found this relevant and poignant (particularly as my father had worked at the pit that the museum was based at). As the North East is no longer predominantly a mining area, the children growing up around here have no idea what it was like to be a miner even though they may be growing up with grandparents who worked down a mine. On their visit they saw a pit head, learned how to crawl through a dark mine shaft, hew coal, sort it and absorb the conditions the miner's worked in. My young son left with a greater knowledge of the coal mining than even my older children. The Death of a Miner CD that was made was a very interesting event. The children lived in the mode of miners and were in character even at home sometimes! My child really saw the event of the death of Timothy McSherry as something personal even though it happened so long ago. Even today he re-watches the DVD, thoroughly enjoying reliving the making of it and laughing at his friends. Strangely, however, it brings a lump to my throat. All family members have a copy and enjoy looking at it and feel it is fitting that the children should be learning about something that was a huge part of their past.
6. Miners' Picnic:- This has just taken place recently however I know it was the culmination of a lot of hard work by the children. My son particularly enjoyed the making of his class banner, drawing, stencilling and printing a miner on it. He was also impressed at how his friends took great pride in carefully making them, scolding anyone who dared make a mess! I also enjoyed working with an artist with the class in Year 1 taking part in a felting process making objects from the Victorian era, which eventually went into their class banner too. All of the children enjoyed this process. The finished results of all the banners were outstanding. Every one was very creative, individual and relevant to everything the children had learned and it encouraged them to be more aware and proud of their heritage. The pride of the children walking behind their banners on the day, through the newly improved grounds was something to be seen, even in the rain. Another very special event.
7. In retrospect, I really think that the funding from Creative Partnerships enhanced the children's learning. The learning process was a richer and enjoyable experience for everyone involved and made it wholly memorable event. I believe it will be a big loss to all if it ceases and sincerely hope it continues for many more years to come.
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