Category Archives: Attention All

Colleges, Community Learning and Development, Developing the Young Workforce, Early Learning, Primary, Research and Strategy, Secondary

Creative Conversation – attainment and employability through the lens of creativity

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Creative Conversations – an end of term Creative Conversation where, with a panel of previous creative catalysts, we’ll be thinking about raising attainment and employability through the lens of creativity.

 

Date for your diary:

The next Creative Conversation,  titled ‘We Can Work it Out’, is part of a national event in partnership with Education Scotland and is included in the Emporium of Dangerous Ideas. It is on:

 

  • Tuesday 16th June 4.30 – 5.30/5.45. Coffee and registration from 4pm and you can continue the conversation with Hywel, Paul, Andy, Alan, David and colleagues over wine and canapes from 5.45 – 6.30/7pm. The venue is the Prince Philip Building at Royal College of Surgeons.

 

You are invited to join us in conversation with Hywel Roberts, author of ‘Oops, Helping Children Learn Accidentally’, Paul Collard, CEO of Creativity, Culture and Education and Andy Gray, Head of Schools and Communities in Edinburgh. Facilitated by David Cameron who you probably already know!

 

This Creative Conversation will consider that key education priorities of raising attainment and employability need a creative approach, now more so than ever. The discussions will focus on the range of ideas and partnerships that are required to work out how we make a difference to key challenges that are not getting any easier. The Creative Conversation is part of a national event – a number of places have already been allocated to delegates so places are limited.

 

Hywel Roberts’ first Scotland gig was a Creative Conversation in Edinburgh in September where 100 people were simultaneously rolling in the aisles with laughter and inspired by his very practical and real ideas about ways to achieve better learning. In February, Hywel gave the keynote at the Edinburgh Early Years Conference and the evaluations were, to a person, extremely positive.

 

Paul Collard’s Creative Conversation in December was attended by nearly 100 people and was informative, inspiring and thought provoking. Drawing upon research and Paul’s experience over 30 years, we considered the idea that the future needs job creators not job seekers. We also considered what PISA tells us about loss of interest, depression among young people and cases where education can undermine wellbeing and competency. Paul also talked about the high functioning classroom and what this looks like in Scottish and international practice.

 

The welcome is from Alan Wait, Schools Group Manager in Midlothian Council.

 

 

As always this will be a very popular Creative Conversation. If you would like to come please get back to me directly. If you would like to bring a colleague, please tell me their name and job title. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis. I’ll send full venue details and confirmation of your place on receipt of your email.

 

We look forward to seeing you on the 16th June.

Linda

 

Creative Learning Network: 

Education Scotland in partnership with Creative Scotland awarded City of Edinburgh, Midlothian and East Lothian Councils funding to develop the Creative Learning Network.

 

Creative Conversations are opportunities for colleagues interested in creativity and education across all sectors to come together and engage in high quality professional dialogue. Each Creative Conversation has a creative catalyst and the conversation is facilitated by (the real) David Cameron. There is always opportunity to continue the discussion over a glass of wine in an informal setting. Each Creative Conversation is in an interesting venue and over 2014/15 will take place across the 3 local authority areas. Previous Creative Conversations have included well known figures such as Tim Brighouse, Keir Bloomer, Frank Crawford, Laurie O’Donnell, Hywel Roberts, Paul Collard, Nicola Morgan, Eric Booth, Heather Reid and many others. Conversations are always about creativity and have covered technology, funding, self evaluation and  preparing for inspection (creatively!), science and art, flipped learning and much more. Don’t make the mistake of thinking this is just about art – it’s about creativity in the widest sense.

 

Linda Lees | Service Manager, Arts and Creative Learning | Schools and Community Services | Children and Families | The City of Edinburgh Council, Waverley Court, Business Centre 1/2, 4 East Market Street, Edinburgh EH8 8BG | Tel 0131 469 3956 | Mobile 07917 825007 | mailto:linda.lees@edinburgh.gov.uk | www.edinburgh.gov.uk | www.edinburgh.gov.uk

 

Colleges, Community Learning and Development, Early Learning, Mathematics and Numeracy, Primary, Research and Strategy, Secondary

Tackling Serious Education Challenges through Creative Thinking – Showcase

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You are invited to attend

The Creative Change Exhibition: Finale for the Emporium of Dangerous Ideas

 

We asked Scotland’s educators to bring their most complex challenges to the table, to find a Creative Catalyst who matched their needs, and develop their creative thinking together. Armed with new perspectives, fresh approaches, and unusual influences we hope to demonstrate that common education hurdles can be negotiated in innovative and inspiring ways through creative change – using curiosity, open mindedness, imagination and problem solving to influence the world around them and affect truly transformative change.

 

Come see, hear and experience how they got on. Some projects may not have worked, some may have raised more questions than they answered, but all have changed the way schools, nurseries and educators think.

 

The nine projects, which addressed a range of themes across primary, secondary and early learning will be showcased as part of the Emporium of Dangerous Ideas on 19th June in Stirling. Visit the website for a full programme, directions and to book your place:

http://events.collegedevelopmentnetwork.ac.uk/events/show/5200

 

The exhibition will be of interest to everyone involved in learning and teaching. It features:

 

Educational Challenges of all shapes and sizes

 

In the classroom

Generating ‘Willing’ Mathematicians, Teaching Fractions, Understanding and Supporting Dyscalculia

 

Across a whole school

Bullyproofing the School, Creating a Sustainable Creative Learning Hub, ‘The One That Never Got Started’

 

And the biggest challenges of all

Developing Resilience and Positive Attitudes to Change, Increasing Pupil and Parent Voice, Breaking the Cycle of Parental (non) Involvement

 

From Educators across Scotland

 

Angus – Forfar Academy

East Dunbartonshire – East Dunbartonshire Education Support Team, Oxgang Primary and Westerton Primary

Edinburgh – Dalry Primary

Glasgow – Kings Park Secondary, Knightswood Secondary and Wyndford Nursery

 

Working with Creative Catalysts from education, business and the arts

 

Scott Sherwood of Live Think Design, graphic facilitator Clare Mills, Paul Gorman of Hidden Giants, Sarah Derrick of Dundee Contemporary Arts, Lucinda Geoghegan of National Youth Choir of Scotland, Susan Hay of Ripple Arts, and Patrick Boxall of Create and Connect

 

If you are unable to come along but would like to be kept informed about our Creative Change work then please do get in touch to be put on our mailing list.

 

We look forward to seeing you there.

 

Stephen Bullock – Development Officer, Creativity

Julia Fenby – Education Officer, Creativity

Karen Lawson – Curator of Dangerous Ideas

Drama, Languages and Literacy, Primary, Research and Strategy, Secondary

Modern Language Learning Events at Edinburgh International Film Festival

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Edinburgh International Film Festival takes place 17-28 June, with over 150 feature films from 36 countries. With such an international outlook the Festival has much to interest teachers of Modern Languages and offers two special events:

 

European Children’s Film Catalogue – Presentation and Screening  for Teachers 

Thursday 18 June, Cineworld Fountain Park, 3.45pm-5.45pm plus reception / Free

 

A number of European partners, including Creative Scotland have created a catalogue of European films for children, with accompanying educational materials, which will be accessible across the whole of Europe. This initiative heralds the development of a new educational distribution system (Wrap! Distribution), designed to improve the reach to young audiences. Seven films, in a variety of languages, have been procured (through Creative Scotland and Scottish Film Education) for this first year of the catalogue. These films will form the basis of a series of schools screenings, with accompanying education resources being made available to all schools.

 

At this event for teachers, film educators and literacy practitioners there will be a short presentation on the film catalogue, including clips, followed by a screening of German comedy Max Minsky and Me. Followed by reception.

 

Scott Donaldson of Creative Scotland will also present an introduction to the Film Education Framework for Europe, which has been developed by film educators from 20 European countries.

 

Modern Languages Screening – Spanish

Tuesday 23 June 10am, Cineworld Fountain Park / £3 per pupil, teachers free

Uk premiere of Mexican feature film A Separate Wind, about a brother and sister forced to travel across country. Suitable for pupils from S4-S6.

 

To book for any of these events, or for further information please contact Jenny Leask or Amy MacKinnon at education@cmi-scotland.co.uk or on 0131 228 6382. For more information about the films go to http://www.edfilmfest.org.uk/learning/events-for-schools

Early Learning, Primary, Secondary

Earlyarts Webinar: creative learning environments

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Join us on Wednesday, 24th June with our wonderful guest presenter, Elizabeth Jarman, Founder and Managing Director of ELIZABETH JARMAN® Group and the sole provider of The Communication Friendly Spaces™ Approach.

Elizabeth will be challenging us to think about the way we use our school or nursery environments to really set the scene for creative learning to take place.

‘It’s critical to understand how the physical space should connect with its intention. I think it’s essential to tune into the environment from the learner’s perspective. To do this, it is really important to observe, reflect and then make informed decisions about the way that children and families interact with the environment if a developmentally appropriate, personalised, responsive learning space is to develop, reflecting preferred contexts for learning’, says Elizabeth Jarman.

Date:  Wednesday, 24th June
Time:  12.30pm to 1.45pm

Working with architects to educators, Elizabeth leads an international team of experts who deliver training, consultancy, develop resources and commission research on improving learning environments. She has a particular interest in engaging families in children’s learning

 

What is an Earlyarts webinar?

An Earlyarts webinar is an online, interactive, live training session led by a creative expert.

You can ask questions, make comments and explore the ideas discussed all from the comfort of your own office, nursery or home.

You can also share creative approaches and offer ideas of your own.

Don’t worry if you haven’t done a webinar before – full instructions will be sent when you book!

 

WATCH AN EXCERPT FROM A PREVIOUS WEBINAR HERE

FREE for members or £15 for non-members!

 

BOOK YOUR CREATIVE TRAINING NOW

 

We hope you can join us for this exciting and educational training webinar. Attendance certificates will be available at the end of this training session to count towards your own CPD programme.

All the very best

 

Earlyarts Team

 

Image Credits:  ELIZABETH JARMAN® Group
Colleges, Developing the Young Workforce, Drama, Secondary, THIS IS A TEST

Tron Participation – the Ambassadors Scheme for 15-17 year olds

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Aim:     To provide opportunities to participate in art activities regardless of age, ability or background.

 

Why:    To encourage the behaviour of theatre-going as both audience and artist because we believe participating in cultural activity enriches your life.

 

How:    Participating in our program can lead to developing new skills, meeting new people and embarking on a life-long relationship with the Tron.

 

 

Ambassadors Scheme

 

Tron Ambassadors scheme gives pupils the chance to be behind the scenes of a working theatre. It enables young people to make a deeper connection with the Tron and gain a better understanding

of the industry.

 

As well as providing participants with opportunities to take part in; workshops, task, interviewing and observing industry professionals, we also want our Ambassadors to understand the transferable skills they are learning which can be applied to any career path they choose to take when leaving school.

Download the PDF here:
Tron Ambassadors Info 2015-2016

Previous Ambassadors have worked on social media calls; tweet meets and wrote reviews, press releases and direct mails. They toured the building, met Tron Staff and organised front of house activities for one of our Youth Theatre show. Ambassadors have said it has been an enjoyable and educational experience they would recommend to others.

 

Tron Participation are looking for pupils who –

 

  • Have an interest in theatre
  • Use social media such as twitter, Instagram, tumblr, wordpress as a way of conveying their thoughts and opinions with an audience
  • Are comfortable talking to groups of people
  • Are willing to promote the work of the Tron with family, friends and peers
  • Are up for a challenge and happy to learn new skills and work as a team
  • Are interested in developing employability skills
  • Looking to expand their C.V to aid with college/university/job applications

 

Tron Ambassadors will –

 

  • Meet 1-2 times per month at the Tron Theatre (after school weekday meetings)
  • Take part in tasks and challenges out with allocated Ambassador meetings
  • Keep in contact via email with Tron Drama Officer on related tasks and challenges
  • Take part in a variety of theatre workshops/master classes
  • Attend Tron Shows
  • Host Tweet Meets within the Tron Theatre linked to Tron productions
  • Promote the Tron to friends and family
  • Blog, tweet and post about the Ambassadors scheme, Tron shows and events
  • Work as a team on a project linked to Tron Skillshops/Youth Theatre show

 

If you are 15-17 years old and interested in becoming an Ambassador, email Drama Officer Deborah McArthur  (deborah.mcarthur@tron.co.uk) with your name, age, school and no more than 500 words about why you wish to be part of the scheme, what skills you possess for the role and what you hope to achieve from being a Tron Ambassador, by Friday 19th June.

 

Ambassadors who progress past the first stage of application will be invited to a recruitment workshop on Wednesday 24th June at the Tron Theatre where 4-6 Ambassadors will be chosen for the 2015/16 academic year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deborah McArthur

Drama Officer

Tron Theatre | 63 Trongate | Glasgow | G1 5HB

Direct Line            0141 559 5310

Box Office              0141 552 4267

Bar + Kitchen        0141 552 8587

Online                    www.tron.co.uk

 

DOWNLOAD OUR NEW SEASON BROCHURE HERE

Art and Design, Community Learning and Development, Developing the Young Workforce, Secondary, THIS IS A TEST

Creative Careers event at Scottish National Portrait Gallery S4-6

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Interested in a Creative Career?

FREE for S4-6 pupils (groups or individuals)

19 June 2015, 10am-3pm

at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery

 

National Galleries Scotland employ a wide range of professionals, offering many career paths. This event is your chance to find out more about careers in the visual arts.

Hear how creative professionals use science, history, IT, art & design, marketing and numeracy skills.

 

  • 30 minute sessions with curators, artists, retail, marketing, conservation and other creative professionals, repeated throughout the day
  • fun insights into their daily tasks and career paths
  • free guided tours of the exhibition Lee Miller and Picasso throughout the day
  • Places are limited, first come
  • Book times to suit between 10am-3pm

 

Please book before 12 June  0131 624 6547 education@nationalgalleries.org

A limited number of travel subsidies are available. Please enquire.

Colleges, Community Learning and Development, Early Learning, Primary, Research and Strategy, Secondary

Creative Exchange: How do we nourish and develop every child’s innate creativity?

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Tuesday 26 May 16.30 – 18.30 FREE

at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh

 

Aimed at teachers and educators of all subject areas, ages and abilities

delivered in partnership with the Arts & Creative Learning team, City of Edinburgh Council

 

Due to the popularity of previous sessions, we are offering  another opportunity for educators to share ideas with each other. Do you have a burning question about creativity that you’d like to explore with like-minded colleagues? Or want to hear how other educators are developing creativity in the classroom? Whether you work with nursery, primary or secondary age groups, come along and share solutions as well as problems.

You are invited for 10-15 minutes to either:

present an idea, project or activity which you have found develops the creativity of learners, or

to raise a question/ bring a challenge you face in promoting creative teaching and learning. Seek solutions from the other participants.

 

Please book by 22nd May. Contact education@nationalgalleries.org for a booking form

 

 

Drama, Primary, Sciences, Technologies

The Astro Science Challenge – a free space science adventure for 7-11 year olds

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An epic adventure for primary school children about the science of going into space, running in conjunction with Tim Peake aka Britain’s Next Astronaut going into space aboard the International Space Station.

Click here to find out more and register your school’s interest in being involved in this free, high profile project: http://www.astrosciencechallenge.com/find-out-more/

The adventure will consist of six ‘episodes’, each with a new science-based challenge for the students to complete. All participants who successfully complete each challenge in the adventure are rewarded with an online digital badge endorsed by one of our partners.

Each episode will be created in partnership with some of the UK’s most brilliant space science organisations, including the UK Space Agency, The Met Office, The Science Museum, The Royal Observatory, Young Rewired State and NASA Mission X.

It will run over the second half of the autumn term, October-December 2015.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

Thanks to funding from Arts Council England, Garfield Weston, The Paul Hamlyn Foundation and Foyle Foundation The Astro Science Challenge is free for primary schools and children aged 7-11 throughout the UK.