St. Bartholomew’s CofE Primary School: ‘Creative experiences to improve writing…’
-
Date:2006 - 2007
-
Introduction:
-
Article:
Our Achievement
- All of the children responded positively to the creative interventions, with particular beneficial effect noted in 'disaffected' learners, particularly boys. Motivation and behaviour were considerably improved.
- They all became more confident and enthusiastic about their writing. All children were able to sustain writing for two-hour periods with noticeable improvements in standards.
- Significantly, attainment in writing improved considerably across the project. 80% of Year 4 children increased they attainment scores by at least one point, 31% by two points, and 2 pupils had three points improvement. In Year 3, 59% of pupils increased their attainment by at least one point, 28% by two points, and 1 pupil had three points improvement.
- The project significantly boosted the confidence of NQT's ('Newly Qualified Teachers'), and gave all staff permission to test out new approaches and use more open-ended planning.
The Feedback
"He has talked about it all the way home. As a result of studying 'The Tempest' he has asked us to purchase a book of child-friendly Shakepear plays, which he enjoys and reads all the time!" Parent
"I like Mr Kenny (the creative practitioner) because he taught me to write with passion and desire." Year 4 pupil
The Cre8us effect...at St Bartholomew's CofE Primary School:
'Island of Dreams'
The school identified a cohort of Year 3 children with significant literacy problems and sought to use creative experiences and an intergrated approach to the curriculum to raise attainment in writing. Objectives of the project were to help children to communicate effectively, to nurture confidence and self-esteem and for children to see reading and writing as purposeful activities which can be enjoyed. The classroom environment was transformed to enrich the childrens' learning experiences.
Children explored the text of the play, painted storms, thought about the island environment and created their own pieces of creative writing and role play. At the end of term they shared their learning with parents hthrough performance and exhibition.
The project was an opportunity to open up new ways of working for the teachers involved and to inform subsequent cross-curricular projects. It also stimulated wider debate, with the school using the experience to reflect on elements they wanted to consider for future working. Critically, the school recognised that having the courage to abandon the timetable enabled them to produce work of quality and depth.
Creative Practitioners: Mike Kenny, Saul Cross, Andrew Fox
School: St. Bartholomew's CofE Primary School, Coventry