School Focus: Lingey House Primary School
Almost two years ago Lingey House Primary School adopted a 'Creative Curriculum' to provide pupils with a rich, creative and cultural learning experience. As the school approaches its fiftieth anniversary, the pupils are involved in their learning, deciding what they want to learn and find out at the start of each theme. Teachers then plan activities and tasks that capture the children's interests and which motivate them.
Cultural Partner Pippa Bell, of Magic Lantern, [pictured] is a regular visitor to the school.
Pippa works closely with staff when planning and preparing for her visits to the school. Magic Lantern presentations use works of art to bring a variety of curriculum topics to life and to enrich a chosen theme. Pippa's presentations have ranged from 'World War II' to 'In the Ark', and from 'Northern Saints' to 'Transport' and much more. All pupils, from Reception to Year 6 classes, are spellbound by her work. Staff comment that the children are much more aware of different painting styles and artists throughout history. They have become very visually literate and have improved their Speaking and Listening skills and are able to discuss their thoughts and feelings in relation to paintings and sculptures. Last week pupils in Key Stage 1 enjoyed learning about 'Homes' and were able to comment on small detail within paintings and make connections with their learning. They particularly enjoyed interacting with the presentation, by choosing paintbrushes and mimicking the brush strokes the artist made to achieve particular effects.
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publication date:
June 29, 2009
Summer arts weeks
Many learning settings are enjoying Arts Weeks in the summer term. If you're looking for an artist to work with, please have a look at the Directory of Cultural Partners. In there you'll find artists who specialise in a range of artforms, and can work with a variety of age groups on a theme of your choice. Please let us know what you're doing for your Arts Week by leaving staff or pupils' comments - to do this just click on the link below!
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publication date:
June 17, 2009
Creativity in the Classroom with The Guardian
Click here to visit the Guardian's Creativity in the Classroom summer feature. This is a great place to share your news, projects and comments.
To get some exciting ideas from other teachers, have a look at the video, featuring an A to Z of teachers' creative classroom activities. And don't forget, we'd love to feature your news on this website - just email hello@cultureandcreativity.com
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Kite making - 13 June
Join Cultural Partner Lip Lee for a free kite making workshop this Saturday 13 June. 5 - 12 year olds will learn some origami techniques to make spinners and kites, which they can fly in the park.
Lip regularly delivers origami and Chinese culture workshops in Newcastle and Gateshead schools. As well as a great chance to make a toy to take home, the workshop is an opportunity for Ambassadors to meet a Cultural Partner who is available to work with your learning setting, and discover techniques to use in the classroom.
To guarantee a place at the workshop please contact Hannahmackay@gateshead.gov.uk or telephone 0191 433 6920. Some drop in places are also available, and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Venue: Saltwell Towers, Saltwell Park
Time: 10am - 12.00 for 5 - 8 year olds, 1 - 3pm for 9 - 12 year olds.
Date: Saturday 13 June
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publication date:
June 10, 2009
Walking with Witches - Special Offer!
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publication date:
May 28, 2009
So you want to be a Cultural Partner?
Are you an Artist, or a Cultural Organisation?
Do you offer educational workshops in Newcastle or Gateshead?
If so, please complete and return the attached form to apply to join the Network.
Cultural Partner form June09.doc
As a Partner
:you will be promoted in the Cultural Partners' Directory,
:you can send information for our fortnightly e-bulletin and print for our termly mailout,
:you can ask our Ambassadors questions - tell them what you do and ask them what they want.
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publication date:
May 19, 2009
Artform focus: Movement and dance
Bare Toed Dance Company specialise in movement play and dance with the Early Years and primary school children. They have recently delivered a series of stimulating and inspiring workshops at Brandling Primary School as part of their Creative Partnerships project.
Pictured is the transport themed session for 3 - 5 year olds. Children enjoyed working with scarves and silk, whilst exploring various modes of transport to reinforce their class topic. There was a smile on every face for the duration of the session, which was well paced and structured, and ended with a relaxing meditation session. Sessions for older children were based on Romans and Ancient Egypt; Bare Toed can adapt sessions to any classroom topic.
Other Cultural Partners offering dance and movement based workshops include Dance City, DanceArtPlay, Melting Pot Arts and Gem Arts . For more details please see your Directory of Cultural Partners. You can also log into the Ambassadors Area of this website to chat to other Ambassadors about which Partners they recommend.
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publication date:
May 14, 2009
Grants for Ambassadors
Cultural Ambassador Grants 2009.pdf
Open to all Ambassadors, not just schools
DEADLINE Friday 5th June
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publication date:
Artform focus: Drama
Spark Training is one of the latest Cultural Partners to offer drama workshops. Delivered by Jacqueline Hobson, workshops are based on 'The Fish! Philosophy'. Using this philosophy, Jacqueline uses drama as a motivational tool, to develop a positive, empowering environment for learning.
Jacqueline has recently delivered a series of workshops at St. Agnes Primary School in Ryton. Based on The Forest Child by Richard Edwards, the workshops explored characters and storytelling in a fun and stimulating atmosphere, culminating in a performance. Jacqueline also provides a teacher's resource pack, allowing Ambassadors to continue the workshop.
The network involves a number of drama-based Cultural Partners, including Live Theatre, Konflux Theatre in Education, Monster Productions and Patsy Burn. Full details can be found in the Directory of Cultural Partners. If you have not received this by post please contact Hannahmackay@gateshead.gov.uk
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publication date:
Teachers TV
It's Creativity Week on Teachers TV
Featuring some great new programmes demonstrating the benefits of teaching and learning through creativity. Also showing a specialist hour focusing on Special Education Needs.
Freeview 88 (4pm-6pm) Sky 880 Virgin TV 240 Freesat 650
Why not tune in - then tell us what you think!
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publication date:
May 13, 2009
Comments please...

If you're a Cultural Ambassador and you like something on this site, or you don't like it, or you want to see something else, please add your comments.
How - go to an article, click 'Comments' and send us your thoughts. We'll approve them and your name will be up on lights (sort of...)
If you're not an Ambassador but you want to know more, send a comment, or email hello@cultureandcreativity.com and we'll fill you in.
The network's only as good as the members and our members are great!
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publication date:
May 7, 2009
CPD and shows at Live Theatre

'Teachers Lab' CPD
Playwriting for Primary
Thursday 24 September, 4 to 8pm
Suitability: KS2 teachers
Starting Points
Thursday 25 February 2010, 4 to 8pm
Suitability: Primary Teachers
For all the info, click 'Continue reading' below.
To book a place please contact Samantha Bell on (0191) 2693488 or Samantha@live.org.uk
Shows for schools and young people
13.1
By Mike Kenny
Schools tour, Monday 21 to Friday 25 September
Suitability: Year 7, 8 & 9
First Draft
at Live Theatre, Thursday 22 to Saturday 24 October
Suitability: Year 2 to 6
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publication date:
May 6, 2009
India workshops

2 practical and FREE workshops for KS2 teachers
at Ravenswood Primary School
on Thursdays 14th and 21st May - both 4-5pm
You can learn:
Bollywood dancing
Indian song
Cyclical patterns
Instrumental 'voices'
Gujarati stick dancing
and you get a FREE CD-rom on completion
Led by Janet Longbottom, AST for Creativity and Culture, Newcastle
Places are limited, TO BOOK - please return the completed attached form (through the courier) to Janet Longbottom, Ravenswood Primary School,
or email janet.longbottom@ravenswood.newcastle.sch.uk or caroline.pearce@newcastle.gov.uk
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publication date:
Free Baltic CPD for primary schools
BALTIC is offering a free CPD session for primary school teachers, 12.30 - 4.30pm on Thursday 14 May.
Using BALTIC's A Duck for Mr. Darwin exhibition as a focus, you will be able to work with artists, to explore creative methods for evaluating learning, to work with 'Dr. Maths' and with a consultant in emotional intelligence, exploring the potential of themed learning.
The event is completely free and includes a light lunch. For further information, or to book a place, please contact Helen Burns at: helenb@balticmill.com or phone 0191 4404929.
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publication date:
April 24, 2009
The Children's Bookshow 2009 - free workshops
Now in its seventh year, The Children's Bookshow gives children the chance to experience the enthusiasm, energy and passion of some of today's top children's writers and illustrators, from familiar, well loved names, to exciting new ones.
As part of the Bookshow this year, Guo Yue and Clare Farrow will visit Newcastle to share their book Little Leap Foward. Children and teachers alike will delight in this event which focuses on the husband and wife team's moving acount of growing up in the Cultural Revolution of China. Based upon Yue's chjldhood in Beijing, A LIttle Leap Forward is a tale of family life and the ups and downs of friendship, which gives a fascinating insight into Mao Zedong's China.
Read on for details of free workshops for KS2 with Clare and Yue.
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publication date:
April 22, 2009
Child Protection Training Course
Creating Safety: Child protection and youth arts
at BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art
on 20th May 2009, 10 am - 4.15 pm
1 day course for anyone working within youth or arts sectors, but especially those using more physical art forms, such as dance and drama.
The training will cover current child protection legislation and benefit individuals and organisations looking to develop their own child protection policy and maintain standards of good practice.
Prices for the course, which include lunch and refreshments, range from £150 to £110, with limited bursaries available.
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publication date:
April 19, 2009
Mural competition winners
Year Eight students at Lord Lawson of Beamish School have won a competition to design a 40 foot long mural. The project came about when Bill Fullen, Chief Executive of Gateshead Housing Company, approached the school following the success of a previous Christmas card design competition. Students were asked to design a mural for Gateshead Housing's Head Office in Team Valley, which would tie in with local landmarks.
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publication date:
April 16, 2009
Juice Festival is back!
NewcastleGateshead's festival for children and young people is back! Following the success of last year's exciting events, Juice 2009 promises even more enticing opportunities!
Between Thursday 22 October and Sunday 8 November, NewcastleGateshead will be bursting with events, performances and activities, celebrating the creativity of children and young people.
There will be a wealth of opportunities specifically for schools to join in with. You can subscribe to the mailing list, to ensure you're the first to hear the news. Photos from Juice 2008 can be viewed here.
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publication date:
April 2, 2009
One World Network North East
Information on professional development and guidance supporting a global dimension in North East Schools including upcoming training events and seminars, new publications and national funding information.
Subject: OWNNE e-Newsletter May 09
www.ownne.org
Continue reading "One World Network North East" »
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publication date:
April 1, 2009
ENYAN
Monthly Newsletter from the English National Youth Arts Network
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publication date:
Saturday's kite making workshop was a great success, and the park was filled with children enjoying
Thanks Janet, for a fantastic session! The Cultural Ambassadors learned a lot about Indian dance and
We had a great turnout for the first Indian workshop session with participants happy to 'give some e
Many thanks to all the Ambassadors who came to 'Dare to Draw', and of course to Baltic and artist Lo
Caroline is a brilliant ambassador for the school and puts a lot of effort into her role. Her ideas