During my visit to Ark St Albans Academy in Birmingham, I spoke to a number of student studying English Literature. English is sometimes a ‘hidden’ creative subject because of its status amongst the ‘core’ subjects at GCSE. People take English seriously, that is, it is viewed as more academic than creative. During my time traveling … Continue reading interpretation and creativity
learning
you can’t express a feeling in an equation
During my visit to Three Rivers Academy in Surrey, I had numerous conversations with students about the importance of arts in their lives. At the end of one interview with four Year 10s, they expressed an argument of why arts should be included in schools. I thought I would reproduce it here (with some editing) … Continue reading you can’t express a feeling in an equation
practising photography in a garden
This post is written by Lexi Earl. Most of our school visits take a fairly general form. We observe lessons of various kinds, interview teachers, and talk to students. These are always interesting and exciting days – one never knows what one will encounter in an art class or a drama class – but I … Continue reading practising photography in a garden
understanding relationships through movement
This post is written by Lexi Earl. During my visit to St Mary’s College in Hull, I had the opportunity to observe a Year 13 Performing Arts class. This group of Year 13s are studying BTec Performing Arts and their course is made up of drama, dance and singing classes. Many want to go on … Continue reading understanding relationships through movement
visiting artists, sharing life lessons
This post is written by Lexi Earl. Many of the schools we visit invite artists, performers, touring companies, and other creative people in to talk to students, demonstrate techniques, run workshops, or perform plays. These types of experiences offer wonderful opportunities for the young people to see what it is like to ‘do’ a particular … Continue reading visiting artists, sharing life lessons
painting clay, having fun
This post is written by Lexi Earl. At Grey Coat Hospital in London, the Art department has found an innovative way to offer more skills development for their Year 12 students, by running an informal after-school Art Club. On Monday afternoons, once school is finished at 3.30pm, the Year 12 art students congregate in the bright … Continue reading painting clay, having fun
what kind of pirate are you?
This post is written by Lexi Earl. Late last year, I had the opportunity to see Coriolanus at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. It was a spectacular performance, and I was completely immersed in the story and the characters. I found myself paying particular attention to the fight scenes. I watched as the actors moved together … Continue reading what kind of pirate are you?
learning through trying again, and again…and again.
Last November, I visited Barcelona. During my visit I went to the Picasso Museum. One of the paintings I saw was Picasso’s Las Meninas. The painting itself was fascinating, intriguing, based on Velasquez’s work of the same title. But it was the way the painting was displayed that interested me most. In the rooms surrounding … Continue reading learning through trying again, and again…and again.
‘If I ran the country…’
This post is written by Lexi Earl on her trip to Sacred Heart Catholic School for Girls. As I was walking to catch a train at Newcastle central station, I started to listen to an episode of Desert Island Discs. I’m not sure about you but I find Desert Island Discs very comforting, the combination … Continue reading ‘If I ran the country…’
a wall, a lion and a moon
I have been immersed in Shakespeare for the past few weeks. Many of the schools I have visited as part of our Year 3 research visits have been RSC partnership schools and so I have been watching students learn sword-fighting, talking to young people about their participation in productions of The Tempest, or observing them … Continue reading a wall, a lion and a moon
tale 