Creative Partnerships focus: Hilton Primary School
Outdoor learning opportunities have been the focus of Hilton Primary's Creative Partnerships project. Using the Enquiry Question, 'How can out of classroom learning opportunities re-engage and enthuse pupils who currently see no relevance in the curriculum?'
The school identified a courtyard space within the school as the 'Wild Wood' which they will focus the project around. The courtyard space has had some investment in the past and has become slightly neglected. There are established willow trees and a pathway leading through it, however the space does not have a focus or identity within the school.
Read on to find out more about the project...
There will be a variety of 'hands on' activities as part of the project that will focus on transforming the courtyard. Some of this will be achieved with the help of teachers, parents and children on a voluntary basis. One of the aims with transforming the courtyard is to make it a safe space, a place that the children will have ownership of and a place for reflection and inspiration.
This may involve the planting of apple trees to create an orchard within the space, or sensory plants or edible plants/vegetables, or a combination of all three. The decision of what will be created within the courtyard will involve a period of research and designing with the children and the creative practitioners.Additional workshops will focus on elements of literacy and mesostic poetry. The poetry element may also lead to a series of artworks that could be incorporated within the courtyard space.
The project will start in February 2010 with landscape and planting in early spring. Final installation of artworks, apple trees and bird boxes towards end of spring and early summer term.
The project will involve artists Alec Finlay and Kathryn Hodgkinson. Both artists were selected because of their previous experience of Creative Partnership projects and artists' residencies in rural and urban environments.
Utilising the local allotments, garden groups or gardening enthusiasts the project will tap directly into parents, families and community members. Their experience and knowledge will be used to inspire the development of the project and maintain the 'Wild Wood' after the project has finished. Their skills will be handed on to the children's new enthusiasm for their 'Wild Wood'. It may also inspire more planting at home or even an allotment plot of their own!
Don't forget you can apply for Creative Partnerships funding until 1 June 2010.