Curious Minds

Induction Event for Cheshire Settings: 7 January 2011

On Friday 7 January, an induction event was held at the University of Chester for organisations working in partnership with eight West Cheshire Creative Partnerships (CP) primary schools.

The West Cheshire CP programme works in partnership with the University of Chester, to investigate how learning outside the classroom impacts on pupil (and teacher) creativity.

Eight Year 2 students on the BEd programme at Chester have the opportunity to enrich their training by participating in the programme, linking their standard teaching and non-standard setting placements together through an enquiry project.  This gives them a unique opportunity to underpin their coursework with a case study based on action research and partnership between a school and a creative setting.  Students are placed with a school in January and then with the partner setting in May.  The school and the setting work with a creative agent to investigate their enquiry based on learning outside the classroom.

Four creative agents have worked with Curious Minds to co-construct the programme, which was piloted last year. 

Organisations involved in the programme include Catalyst Science Discovery Centre; Waterways Trust, Ellesmere Port; National Museums Liverpool; Forestry Commission at Delamere;  West Cheshire and Chester Rangers Service and Action Transport Theatre.

The event was facilitated by Programme Manager Jane Evans-Woodason and included an introduction to Create Partnerships by Alice Birdwood (Director of Programmes at Curious Minds); presentation of a case study by Sue Halliday (Director of Catalyst Science Discovery Centre); the Creative Agent perspective by Sue Reddish and the student perspective by Brendan Hoare.

Sue Halliday's Case Study was a partnership between Catalyst and Brookside Primary School:  "The Catalyst Apprentice".  For Sue, a key outcome had been the retention of a valuable member of staff who had developed skills in working with young people and had pioneered a hands-on approach to working with artefacts in the school (where previously these items had never left the centre).

Class teacher Caroline Kendal felt that providing a ‘real’ situation with ‘real’ people was crucial for the year 6 children selected to take part.  Many had low self-esteem, lack of trust, tolerance and understanding of each other, which could often lead to conflict and limited teamwork and collaboration.  As a result they were underperforming in the curriculum and unprepared for the important transition to year 7.

University of Chester student Victoria Czerepaninic spent a four-week enrichment phase at Catalyst, researching how the centre and its collections could support the project.  She worked with practitioners and school staff to develop her teaching practice and understanding of the value of an outside learning experience.

Pupils were introduced to the project by a video stimulus and their first task was to create an advert for ‘The Catalyst Apprentice’, much like the opening teaser sequence for ‘The Apprentice’.  Then in small groups, they organised themselves as discrete companies - deciding on a company name, logo and ethos.

Pupils visited Catalyst in May, where they participated in workshops, activities in the Interactive Theatre and investigated exhibitions.  Back in school, working as discrete companies, they collaborated on an idea for improvement which they pitched back to  Catalyst.  The idea from winning pitch would be put into production at Catalyst.

Remaining in their 'companies', pupils developed ideas formed during the visit.  Practitioners facilitated them in workshops to develop confidence and skills in  teamwork, collaboration, listening and questioning and presenting.  Practitioners included  Carrie-Ann Parkes (Education) and Meryl Jameson (Marketing) from Catalyst; Graphic Designer Sophie Bower and Drama specialist Diane Carson.  Children were encouraged to evaluate and review their ideas throughout.
 
Sue Halliday - Director of Catalyst - delivered science CPD for teaching staff to develop their confidence and encourage them to try 'hands-on' science back in the classroom.

On 28 May children presented their  pitches to an invited panel of judges, including John Stephens, Director of Children's Services, Cheshire West and Chester and Sue Halliday, Director of Catalyst.  This included presenting the journey of their prototype. In addition, to the panel, parents of the children involved and other classes of the school were invited to listen and vote for their favourite pitch.  Completed pitches were added to the school and the Catalyst websites.  During the summer holidays, Catalyst held a variety of different open days and conferences, where pupils' photos, design boards, presentations, interactive working walls were displayed as part of a temporary exhibition.

Sue Halliday (Catalyst):  “Being able to work with a school for an extended period of time allowed us to build up a relationship and really understand the needs of the class. The project was particularly beneficial for one member of my team who was able to work at the school leading small groups and getting instant feedback, tailoring the sessions to the children and thinking on her feet. This was excellent professional development and has encouraged her to develop activities for our programme having tried them out in school.”

Caroline Kendal:  (class teacher):  "The children made huge improvements in their social skills". The session ended with lunch and an opportunity for questions and informal networking.