Using spaces to raise communication, imagination and expression
"The children have become stimulated and excited about their learning. Their imaginations have been fired up, and they have been shown how to use them, to develop their ideas, to let them run free."
Katie Gane, School Coordinator
The Enquiry project at Milverton Primary School sought to improve the quality of teaching and learning, and ultimately raise achievement in writing across the school. The school wanted to make better use of their outdoor and indoor spaces to improve and inspire the children's communication skills and positively impact their learning.
Working with the creative practitioner the children used music, poetry, drama and singing to improve their communication skills. The Year 2 class teacher, practitioner and Creative Agent created a physical space for the children to think in; to feel; to provoke thoughts; words; dialogue and questions - environments in which the children could foster and grow their imaginations, their language and vocabulary. Children used all their senses to fully explore the space they were in.
Impact
- Year 2 SATS formal assessment have shown an improvement in higher level writers, with many pupils now achieving level 2A and confident level 3 - many of whom had previously been predicted 2B or 2A.
- Standards in writing have improved in Key Stage 1 with nine children achieving a level 3.
- Staff noticed that children became successful at developing, refining and communicating their ideas. They became much more collaborative, able to share their ideas and take turns. Children were clearly more aware of how they like to learn and how to support their own idea development.
- The project has helped to generate confidence and belief in creative approaches to teaching and learning. Staff have the confidence to trust and they are allowing pupils to inform planning and have ownership of their learning.
- Staff have realised that often the simplest and easiest change of space with fabric or objects can inspire and generate exciting work. Children are stimulated by working in changing physical spaces.
Results
"I'm a born again teacher! The children were free but not wild... what a difference! I've changed the spaces that I work in and feel more confident to take risks and do things in a different way."
-Year 2 class teacher
"The project allowed me to teach in a less constrained way... with a degree of freedom that actually works. I was allowed to be creative again."
"Writing has become a pleasure for many of the children in my class. I have enjoyed the freedom, trusting both the process and the children. It has been great to teach children how to learn."
If you are interested in this project and would like to find out more about this project and others please visit www.cre8us.org.uk
