Curious Minds

Working with Initial Teacher Training

For the first time, Cheshire schools have had the opportunity to take part in a Creative Partnerships Enquiry Schools programme, in collaboration with the University of Chester.

On 14 May we met with Creative Agents and the University of Chester B.Ed programme leaders to discuss Cheshire's pilot enquiry school programme.

This programme is different from the classic Enquiry Schools programme, as it has a focus on teaching outside the classroom and ITT (initial teacher training).

This programme has been an example of co-construction between all partners, and relationships between settings, external partners and primary schools are contributing to enriching and informing the learning of year 2 B.Ed teacher trainees. This has offered valuable additional layers of learning that will be examined, evaluated and celebrated, leading to an improved model for ITT.

John Stephens Director of Children's Services, Cheshire West and Chester will be attending a presentation at Brookside Primary School, where year 6 pupils have worked in partnership with Catalyst Science Discovery Centre and Museum, looking at how creative approaches and enterprise, inspired by an outside learning experience can help to develop confidence, collaboration and independence for year 6 pupils. In small groups, pupils will use a stimulus from the setting to create a new idea for Catalyst and pitch it to them. The winning ideas will be put into production at the Centre.