Stimulating Creativity

Hartshill Secondary School: ‘Raising aspirations through creativity’

  • Date:
    2009 - 2010
  • Introduction:
  • Article:

    Our Achievement

    • The willingness and enthusiasm of students to take a greater role in determining their own learning has been demonstrated and recognised and as a result, the student consultative group is being developed.
    • An ACE teaching strategy has been launched, with support given to help staff explore what Active, Creative and Engaging teaching and learning looks like and how they can develop it further.
    • Creative planning time has been built into the timetable to enable the exploration of creative planning tools that allow lessons to be pupil-led.
    • Creative Toolboxes have been developed that include materials and thinking tools, and are used to stimulate different approaches in the classroom.

    The Feedback

    "We challenged ourselves to do something new.  I feel more supported now about doing something different."

    "There are much higher levels of interest in teaching and learning in different ways amongst staff and students...many are willing to try new things and take risks."

    "Pupils demonstrated greater risk-taking through increased confidence, independent thinking and a willingness to try new things outside their comfort zone."

    "I'm going to be less of a control freak about how to achieve a goal."

    "We were developing new skills with the students - I was more part of the team than the leader."

    "Staff were different people - even the conversations they were having.  By the end of the work there was tiredness and snapping, but they were not only talking about lessons and planning; they had put it aside for a week.  It was about the kids."

    The Cre8us effect...at Hartshill Secondary School: 'Raising aspirations'

    Seen as a launch pad for a new way of thinking about teaching and learning, Enrichment Week was a whole week off timetable for all students and staff, to enable deeper learning.  Planned and facilitated by a core team of staff with support from Cre8us’s creative agent, Philippa Cross, Enrichment Week was designed to:

    • raise staff / student aspirations to explore the potential of all
    • approach learning with the learner at the heart of facilitation
    • provide the scope and confidence to take risks to explore learning

    In their planning for the week, staff were encouraged to try something different, push the boundaries, work in a non-traditional learning environment and give students a taste of something new and different that incorporates the WRL (work related learning) targets and the PLTS (Personal Thinking and Learning Skills).

    Based on feedback from students at a previous Enrichment Day, seven project groups were established, with staff from different departments co-planning activities under the following themes:

    • Community – what do we know about Hartshill?
    • Fashion & 21st Century design – clothing & accessories
    • Science – a Brainiac style week of “How to...”
    • Healthy Living – new opportunities for body, mind and soul
    • Creative & Media – taking Hartshill to the outside world through Carnival, incorporating the creation of floats, costumes and dance
    • Eco design – come survive with me
    • Landscaping – developing a space in the school designed by students

    Year 6 pupils from a local feeder school joined Hartshill pupils working in ‘vertical’ groups, cutting across age groups on a specific theme with creative partners supporting the Fashion, Carnival, Eco design and Landscaping themes.

    The fashion theme culminated in a successful fashion show, whilst the carnival group took their floats and performances around the school grounds and Hartshill.  The Landscaping group transformed two areas of the school, one of which was based entirely on student designs, and the Eco group created outdoor temporary artworks, and a permanent wicker stag.  Throughout the week a number of students who had received filming training through BBC Blast documented activities.

    Reflection was a key element of the week and Philippa Cross worked with the students and staff to gather information and review the achievements and activities. 

    As a follow up to the week, a student consultative group has been established.  Still in its early stages, the group is being supported by the Deputy Head who leads on ACE Teaching and Learning strategy, and Philippa Cross. The aim is to give a stronger voice to students in determining approaches to teaching and learning.  A range of mechanisms, including co-coaching groups and creative toolboxes are also being developed to help staff think about their practice and how to develop it, with a view to more staff being judged Good or Outstanding in future.

    Creative Agent: Philippa Cross

    Creative Practitioners:

    School: Hartshill Secondary School, Warwickshire

    If you are interested in this project and would like to find out more, please visit the Creative Partnerships' Project Database where you will be able to view Hartshill's Project Planning Form and Project End Form for their 2009-10 programme.