Priority 3

Creative Lead Schools project started with Year 4. 

Through this project, learners were able to developed their numeracy skills and expressive arts knowledge (evidence shown in national tests). Learners have a further knowledge of animation which they have been able to use to teach some of the younger children in school. Learners now also have deeper sense of belonging to our community as through the project they have become more aware of their local area. Parents were also invited into school to see what the children had created and achieved which support our community link with our parents.

Learners progress in numeracy can be seen through our national tests completed after the project.

Learners know have a knowledge of animation which they did not have before the project eg. frames per second.

Feedback from parents showed learners enthusiasm for the project and their local area discussing our trip to Caergwrle Castle and Packhorse Bridge. 

Reflection of LCS project and begin Year 2.

• Mrs Cumberlidge and Miss Furber originally applied for the grant and attended the necessary training.

• Phase 1 of the enquiry is now complete- Mrs Cumberlidge was the project leader. Lead Creative agents were interviewed, employed, and worked with Year 4 on their topic project in relation to the local area. All evaluations have been completed.

• Phase 2 is going to start shortly- Miss Furber will be the project leader for this phase. 

• Mrs Monk has attended the necessary training for this next stage.

• On Friday 21st March we will be holding our first planning meeting for the next stage of the LCS project (CC, SM, SF & Creative advisor). This will determine what sort of Creative Practitioner and enquiry we are looking for, for Phase 2 of the enquiry.

• We will then review CV's and invite practitioners in for an informal interview and workshop with the children, before starting Phase 2 in the Summer Term.

With new staff members now being involved in the project we were able to expand the project across the school and further develop staff skills and knowledge around the Expressive Arts. 

Mrs Cumberlidge and Miss Furber swapped roles which enabled them to experience different roles and responsibilities and support their professional development. 

This new knowledge we will be able to share across the school with our Expressive Arts audit and long term planning. 

Plans set in place for the the second phase of the project to begin in the Summer Term. 

Creative practitioner chosen for the next phase of the project. 

• Miss Furber and Mrs Monk met with Martin Daws over a Teams meeting after receiving his CV and letter of application. It was decided Martin would be perfect for the 2nd phase of the project.

• Mrs Cumberlidge and Mrs Monk met with Martin over Teams to discuss what we would like out of the project and decided on the enquiry question- 'How can we explore science and inventions with Year 1 & 2 children through music, whilst developing Literacy Skills and become imaginative individuals?'

• It was decided that we would like the children to create a piece of music with their own instrument, which they have created. Including a rap to develop their Literacy Skills.

• Phase 2 started on the 7th May, with 10 full day sessions booked in and a half day session.

• Children have currently created a rap based on the story of Cinderella, following a beat they have learnt, which has been used with the app Garage Band. They have also created an instrument.

• Children will learn a dance and rehearse it along with the rap to perform at a showcase for the parents to end the project. Governors are welcome to join us on Friday 20th July at 9.30am to watch this performance.

• Martin attended a staff meeting to share his expertise and discuss the project. 

• Next step- After completion of the project, Miss Furber and Mrs Cumberlidge will meet to complete an Expressive Arts audits and create a long term planning document to support staff in the teaching of the Expressive Arts.

Through this project, learners were able to developed their literacy skills and expressive arts knowledge. Learners have developed a  knowledge of creating song and music, as well as animation, which they have been able to use to teach their parents/guardians in the 'Showcase'. Learners have been able to develop their confidence in oracy as they had the opportunity to participate in creating a rhyming rap, which they practised over a period of time in order to perform with developing confidence, as well as using animation independently to create a section of a music video. Parents were also invited into school to see what the children had created and achieved which support our community link with our parents.

Learners progress in Literacy, mainly their oracy, has developed throughout the enquiry as at the start, some of the learners were very shy and reluctant to take part in speaking aloud. However it was evident as each session progressed, those who were struggling in confidence started participating more and more and in the final 'Showcase'  the majority of the children said their line independently or in a pair, and those who were still a little shy joined in well with the chorus with everyone else. The Year 2 learners  progress in Literacy  can be seen through our national tests completed after the project.

Learners know have a knowledge of creating a rhythm to follow, which they were able to create a rap to the rhythm, as well as having a basic knowledge of the app 'Garageband. They have been able to use  animation independently, which they did not have knowledge of before the project eg. frames per second.

Feedback from parents showed learners thoroughly enjoyed and were engaged with the project, as they spoke about it at home. As well as enjoying the 'Showcase', being proud of their children performing a rap, and showing them how to use the different apps to create music and animation.