Wales’ Lead Creative Schools Scheme

The Lead Creative Schools Scheme is part of the Welsh Government and Arts Council of Wales joint funded programme Creative learning through the arts – an action plan for Wales 2015-2020.

The programme, which is expected to form part of the 2020 new school curriculum, is designed to:

  •  Increase and improve arts experiences and opportunities in schools
  •  Improve attainment through creativity
  •  Support teachers and arts practitioners in developing their skills

Creative agents and practitioners are working with schools across Wales, using music, art, spoken word and other creative formats to help improve literacy, numeracy and other curriculum subjects, as well as help improve life skills and general confidence and well-being amongst young people.

Below is an overview of where the scheme is so far:

Wales is leading the way with a ground-breaking creative learning scheme, which puts art and creativity at the heart of education and is transforming teaching methods across the curriculum.

So far, more than 40,000 pupils from 548 schools in Wales have benefited from the innovative Lead Creative Schools Scheme, part of the Welsh Government and Arts Council of Wales joint funded £20 million programme Creative learning through the arts – an action plan for Wales 2015-2020.

The programme, which is expected to form part of the 2020 new school curriculum, is designed to use creative techniques to improve attainment, develop the skills of teachers and reduce the impact of deprivation in Wales’ primary, secondary and special schools.

 

To celebrate, 32 of the participating schools have been selected to take part in Tate Exchange at Tate Modern in London from 24 29 April, 2018. Tate Exchange is an ambitious ‘open experiment’ which allows organisations and members of the public to participate in Tate’s creative process, running events and projects on site and using art as a way of addressing wider issues in the world around us. The international foundation Creativity, Culture and Education (CCE), a Tate Exchange Associate, will be working in partnership on the delivery of the activity throughout the week.

The event will bring to life the positive impact this scheme has had on schools, teachers, pupils and the artists involved. Visitors will be taken on a journey through the ‘Five Creative Habits of Mind’ – the bespoke teaching pedagogy that underpins this bold and ambitious programme.

Cabinet Secretary for Education, Kirsty Williams, said:

Reducing the attainment gap between pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds and their peers is at the heart of our national mission to raise standards and is also one of the driving principles behind this programme.

 Theres no better showcase for the programmes excellent work than the Tate Modern. This is testament to how well schools, teachers and learners have embraced these learning methods and I want to congratulate everyone involved.

 We are already starting to see the results of our investment, which is changing how we view the arts and creativity in relation to the school curriculum while also improving academic achievement, broadening experience and developing crucial life skills.

The Lead Creative Schools Scheme has involved matching schools with creative professionals who use teaching and learning techniques that are specifically designed to be practical and relevant to real-life curriculum demands, and provide new ways for young people to engage with subjects, developing increased motivation for learning.

 

Phil George, Chair, Arts Council of Wales, said:

This bespoke creative learning scheme isn’t just about improving access to the arts in schools, but harnessing the arts and using creative techniques to improve the quality of teaching and learning across the whole curriculum, particularly in literacy and numeracy.

 Within just three years we have already started to see that by nurturing and developing the creativity of pupils, theyre taking steps to achieve their academic potential and grow as well-rounded individuals, closing the gap between the best and least well performing pupils.

 “We’re delighted that the Lead Creative Schools Scheme has been selected as a Tate Exchange Associate to showcase some of the great creative work taking place here in Wales as part of Tate Exchange at Tate Modern in London.”

 

As well as the Lead Creative Schools Scheme, pupils in Wales can benefit from a number of other initiatives, also funded by the Creative learning through the arts programme. The All-Wales Arts and Education Offer, which includes Experiencing the arts fund and Regional arts and education networks, is designed to build on and enhance existing arts activity in Wales’ schools and to support arts organisations to broker and strengthen their relationships with education by making the arts more accessible.

 

For more information visit www.arts.wales. To find out more about Tate Exchange please visit tate.org.uk/tateexchange. For press information about Tate please email pressoffice@tate.org.uk or call 0207 887 8730. For high-resolution images visit tate.org.uk/press.

Career Education Standard 3-18: Introduction to Creativity Skills published

NEW!
Linked to the Career Education Standard 3-18
An Introduction to Creativity Skills is now available on the National Improvement Hub – complete with reflective activities, actions, and planning exercises.

http://bit.ly/CEScreativity

You can find all of the Career Education Standard resources here:

https://education.gov.scot/improvement/learning-resources/career%20education%20standard%203-18:%20suite%20of%20learning%20resources?dm_i=LQE,5G1XD,49RSC3,L39D3,1

 

 

Delegate programme for educators – Edinburgh International Children’s Festival (26 May-3 June)

We are delighted to announce the delegate programme for the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival (26 May-3 June), showcasing some of the world’s best theatre and dance for young audiences.

Tickets for delegates go on sale on 7 March at 10am

Click here for the full programme:

edinburghinternationalchildrensfestivaldelegatesprogrammefinal

 

From 7 March, you will be able to make bookings by phone or online
Phone bookings : +44 (0)131 228 1404
Online bookings: www.imaginate.org.uk/festival/delegates
Bookings are managed by the Traverse Theatre box office.

Registration is £10 and gives access to delegates-only events (free but subject to availability), networking opportunities, social events, a full delegate list and the festival delegate manual.
Tickets for the festival shows are £12 each.

Please contact our producer Pamela Walker if you have any queries or need any assistance.

We really hope to welcome you at our festival this year!

Project Mbuzeni, a creative learning project for P7 to S3 – deadline 9th February

Applications are still open for Project Mbuzeni, a creative learning project for P7 to S3 connected to the production for the same age group, Mbuzeni, at Edinburgh International Children’s Festival 2018.

All details can be found on our website. Deadline for applications is 9 Feb.

Each participating class will have a one-day workshop to explore the themes of the production using the Mbuzeni script.  The class will work with a professional playwright and a drama facilitator to use drama games and creative writing to deepen their understanding of the production characters and the world they inhabit.  They will also learn about evaluating and reviewing a piece of theatre through a facilitated post-show workshop.

At the end of the project, Imaginate will publish a selection of the pupil’s creative writing and reviews on this website.

This project is open to P7 – S3 classes who have booked tickets to attend the production of Mbuzeni. If you haven’t yet booked tickets, contact our Schools Coordinator, Amanda Grimm, on 0131 225 8050 or by email at schools@imaginate.org.uk to discuss availability.

For full details download the application form or email Fiona Ferguson, Creative Development Director if you wish to discuss further.

Friday 9 February 2018

How to apply

Download the Project Mbuzeni application form and return to Lorna.MacDonald@edinburgh.gov.uk by Friday 9 February

Download Project Mbuzeni Application Form

Scottish Learning Festival 2018 – call for seminar proposals

The Scottish Learning Festival 2018 takes place on Wednesday 19 and Thursday 20 September in the SEC, Glasgow.

The Festival provides high quality continuing professional learning and is a rendezvous for educational professionals, both nationally and internationally, providing a unique platform to engage with a diverse range of experts, colleagues and suppliers.

The theme for SLF 2018 is Collaborating for Improvement with a particular focus on;

  • effective collaborations that ensure young people are having a greater say in decisions that affect their lives
  • strong STEM education and training that inspires learners and connects with the labour market

Education Scotland organises the festival and is now accepting seminar proposals for the 2018 conference programme which will feature around 100 seminars over two days.

Is there a project you have been working on that could be showcased?  Or perhaps you are aware of establishments that demonstrate good practice?  If you would like to submit a proposal for consideration please complete and return the attached form before midday on Monday 19 February.  Proposals received after this date will not be considered for inclusion in the conference programme.

ZIP file: SLF 2018 seminar proposal form and review criteria (1.7 MB)

All proposals received will be reviewed against a set criteria.

The 2018 conference programme and registration will be launched in May.

Running alongside the SLF conference is the largest education exhibition in Scotland with over 200 suppliers, find out more about the SLF exhibition.

If you would like any further information about SLF 2018 please contact the SLF team.

Project Mbuzeni, a creative learning project for P7 to S3

 

Applications are now open for Project Mbuzeni, a creative learning project for P7 to S3 connected to the production for the same age group, Mbuzeni, at Edinburgh International Children’s Festival 2018.

All details can be found on our website. Deadline for applications is 9 Feb.

Each participating class will have a one-day workshop to explore the themes of the production using the Mbuzeni script.  The class will work with a professional playwright and a drama facilitator to use drama games and creative writing to deepen their understanding of the production characters and the world they inhabit.  They will also learn about evaluating and reviewing a piece of theatre through a facilitated post-show workshop.

At the end of the project, Imaginate will publish a selection of the pupil’s creative writing and reviews on this website.

This project is open to P7 – S3 classes who have booked tickets to attend the production of Mbuzeni. If you haven’t yet booked tickets, contact our Schools Coordinator, Amanda Grimm, on 0131 225 8050 or by email at schools@imaginate.org.uk to discuss availability.

For full details download the application form or email Fiona Ferguson, Creative Development Director if you wish to discuss further.

Friday 9 February 2018

How to apply

Download the Project Mbuzeni application form and return to Lorna.MacDonald@edinburgh.gov.uk by Friday 9 February

Download Project Mbuzeni Application Form

Filmhouse Edinburgh – Forthcoming Screenings & Events

A very Happy January to everyone! We still have availability to book places at several upcoming schools screenings and education events. We can also announce a special screening of the wonderful animated film Loving Vincent in March as part of Into Film’s spring screening programme celebrating women in animation.

To book tickets please email Flip Kulakiewicz at education@cmi-scotland.co.uk or call 0131 228 2688 and ask to speak to the Duty Manager.

Edinburgh and Lothians Schools Film Competition – Teachers’ Information Meeting

Tuesday 23 January 2018, 4.30-6pm OR Friday 2 February, 2.00-3.30pm, Filmhouse Guild Rooms, Free to attend

The Edinburgh & Lothians Schools Film Competition is an exciting opportunity to showcase your pupils’ talents and to inspire a new generation of filmmakers. All successful films are screened at the Edinburgh International Film Festival in June 2018 and there are seven special awards up for grabs! We invite teachers to attend this free teachers’ event to learn more about the competition, including a short filmmaking workshop showing how simply you can make a film with your pupils – no equipment or prior filmmaking experience is required.

For more information and to book places please email Heather Law at heather@screen-ed.org.

Inside Hana’s Suitcase

A special screening for Holocaust Memorial Day

Thursday 25 January, 10am •  1h28min, £3/free for teachers, English, Czech and Japanese with English subtitles, recommended cert PG, Suitable for P6-S3, Religious and Moral Education, History

Hana Brady was just a little girl when she and her brother George were singled out at Jews, and sent away from home by the Nazis. Seventy years later a class of Japanese children received a package from the Holocaust museum in Germany. It contained what appears to be Hana’s suitcase and from this starting point the children and their teacher begin to unravel her story. A moving film which deals with the difficult subject of the holocaust, and a wider theme of tolerance.

A website and online learning resource to support the film is available here.

Wonder

Wednesday 31 January OR 7 February, 10am •  1h45min, £3/free for teachers, Certificate PG, suitable for P6 upwards, English, Literacy

Based on R.J. Palacio’s book, Wonder is the heart-warming story of August ‘Auggie’ Pullman, a young boy born with facial differences that have stopped him from being able to go to mainstream school – until now. Enrolled in fifth grade at Beecher Prep, he embarks on a journey of new friendships, battling prejudice and inspiring change. TRAILER

Loving Vincent

Thursday 8 March, 10am • FREE, 1h35min, Certificate 12A (recommended for ages 14+), Art & Design, History

Made up of 65,000 painted frames, this is the first fully oil painted feature film, that cleverly brings to life the work of the Dutch impressionist Vincent Van Gogh. Exploring the intriguing mystery surrounding his death, the film takes the form of a detective story reluctantly led by Armand, the son of a postman the artist was friends with. This is a truly unique animation that tells the story of one of the most celebrated artists in the world through his own work. TRAILER

Tickets must be booked via the Into Film eventbrite listing here.

Projection Tours

Come and learn how cinema works, with a tour of our projection box and a screening of entertaining and inspiring short animations from the London International Animation Festival. Tours cost £75 for a class of up to 33 pupils, and are suitable for P4-S2.

Please note that, although we strive to make Filmhouse as accessible as possible, this tour is of a non-public area of the building which is up two flights of stairs, with no lift.

Please pass this email on to any colleagues who might be interested. Thanks!

Nominations wanted – Scottish Education Awards – Employability and Creativity across Learning

Nominations invited for Scottish Education Awards – deadline 12 noon, 14 February 2018

Since 2013 the Scottish Education Awards have featured a Creative Learning Award category with notable shortlisted winners from primary, early learning and childcare, and secondary schools. This year we have taken the awards a step further by embedding creative approaches in all of the award categories, and with a focus on creativity skills within the new Employability and Creativity across Learning category.

We would really appreciate your help in identifying schools or education centres that use unique and innovative approaches in their teaching, learning and improvement, and encouraging someone from the school community to submit a nomination.

Nominations can be made via the Scottish Education Awards website: www.scottisheducationawards.co.uk

There are three main questions to answer, as follows:

  1. Please provide detail about all the activities, programmes and creative approaches you are taking forward in your setting in relation to this award category. How are these being embedded across the four contexts for learning? (Max 600 words)
  2. How are you promoting equity, equality, diversity and inclusion in relation to this award category? (Max 300 words)
  3. What impact are your approaches having on learners, staff, their families, partner organisations, other educational establishments and the wider community? What evidence do you have to support this? (Max 300 words)

 

“a captivating alternative to full-blown pantos” – accessible theatre available online from Birds of Paradise Theatre

BOP Theatre’s new work The Tin Soldier, at The Studio, Festival Theatre, Edinburgh 7th-23rd December is a new adaptation of an old tale by award-winning children’s writer Mike Kenny.

It is an accessible show, integrating captions, BSL and audio description, designed mainly with 5-9 year olds in mind (and the older people and siblings that come with them).  The show has been designed by a Russian designer Victor Nikonenko and includes puppets and new live music from Scottish duo Novasound.

What is on offer?

If you are in Edinburgh we would love you to come see it but we understand this is not accessible to everyone! For those that cannot come in person we are making a broadcast version of it available to all schools in Scotland in the week commencing the 18th December.

How does it work?

We will provide you with a link to a as live film of the show that you can show to a class or larger group.  The film will have captions on it and BSL is integrated into the performance.

Is there a charge?

No, but we would appreciate a donation of £25 in line with our campaign of fundrasign for our 25th Anniversary year which is next year.

What other resources to you have?

  1. An info sheet attached
  2. An easy read script synopsis
  3. Links to listen to the music
  4. Disability focused short films aimed at children https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5R9Yc2AlqLQ&t=6s

What do I do next?

Get in touch with all@boptheatre.co.uk to register interest and we will provide you with a link and answer any questions you have.

About BOP

Birds of Paradise Theatre are a Glasgow based company that have traditionally made work for adult audiences that embeds access and creates opportunities for disabled writers, directors and performers.  Over the last five years the company has been disability led and has made varied work that has taken place in Scotland, UK, Spain, Hing Kong and Russia.

 

The Tin Soldier -‘live’ accessible theatre performance from Birds of Paradise – primary schools

BOP Theatre’s new work The Tin Soldier, at The Studio, Festival Theatre, Edinburgh 7th-23rd December is a new adaptation of an old tale by award-winning children’s writer Mike Kenny.

It is an accessible show, integrating captions, BSL and audio description, designed mainly with 5-9 year olds in mind (and the older people and siblings that come with them).  The show has been designed by a Russian designer Victor Nikonenko and includes puppets and new live music from Scottish duo Novasound.

What is on offer?

If you are in Edinburgh we would love you to come see it but we understand this is not accessible to everyone! For those that cannot come in person we are making a broadcast version of it available to all schools in Scotland in the week commencing the 18th December.

How does it work?

We will provide you with a link to a as live film of the show that you can show to a class or larger group.  The film will have captions on it and BSL is integrated into the performance.

Is there a charge?

No, but we would appreciate a donation of £25 in line with our campaign of fundrasign for our 25th Anniversary year which is next year.

What other resources to you have?

  1. An info sheet attached
  2. An easy read script synopsis
  3. Links to listen to the music
  4. Disability focused short films aimed at children https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5R9Yc2AlqLQ&t=6s

What do I do next?

Get in touch with all@boptheatre.co.uk to register interest and we will provide you with a link and answer any questions you have.

About BOP

Birds of Paradise Theatre are a Glasgow based company that have traditionally made work for adult audiences that embeds access and creates opportunities for disabled writers, directors and performers.  Over the last five years the company has been disability led and has made varied work that has taken place in Scotland, UK, Spain, Hing Kong and Russia.

 

News, opportunities, research and strategy relating to creative teaching and learning in Scotland

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