What's the big IDEA?

The Mighty Creatives

Forest Lodge Primary School, Charnor Road, Leicester LE3 6LH.

Programme: Creative Partnerships - Change School Project

Objectives
After developing and producing the IDEA room during their three-year Enquiry Project the school decided to use their Change School Project the following challenges: -

• reluctance and attitude of parents and children to engage, be enthusiastic and motivated about learning;
• the low ability of children in this socio-economically deprived area sometimes resulting from lack of early first hand experiences;
• helping teachers understand that a creative approach will enhance children’s learning.

Their aim was share their creative development to embrace the wider community enabling other schools, parents, community groups, creative practitioners to access and use the IDEA room to its full potential.

Outcomes

The whole school vision from the outset of the initial Enquiry Project was to create ‘a unique family working together to be the best’.

Throughout the Change School Project teachers, support staff, children, young consultants, parents and the wider community have supported each other to form better understandings between groups within the community.

During the planning and creating of a new theme and developing sessions in the IDEA room, it has enriched teachers and pupils knowledge as they worked together, developed social and emotional well being and raised the children’s engagement and enjoyment in their learning.

Greater levels of interdependence have been developed through sessions where many individuals have been involved in planning, teaching, learning and engagement in various different creative approaches. The pupil voice remains at the heart of all of their projects and pupils have seen their input and involvement greatly appreciated and valued.

This creativity and enterprise of young people, has raised their aspirations and achievements. Phenomenal levels of skills have been developed out of the planning and work between teachers, creative practitioners and young people.

Having enriched the children with a wider and more creative curriculum, it has further enhanced the skills, capacity and sustainability of creative organisations to work with school.

The IDEA room has been used by:

• A Range of creative practitioners - artists, musicians, storytellers, dance and drama specialists working with pupils and staff;
• Teachers and pupils within the school, and pupils and staff from other schools;
• The local Sure Start Centre to deliver active learning sessions;

It's now available to:

• Other Schools.
• Community Groups.
• Parent Groups
• Family Learning Groups.
• Creative Practitioners for their own sessions.

What is Provided?

• The school provides the room and sets it up ready for use.
• You provide your own resources and equipment where necessary.
• You also make arrangements for your group to travel to the school.
• And it's FREE!

For more information or to book the room email admin@forestlodge.leicester.sch.uk