The Creative School: A Framework for Success, Quality and Effectiveness PDF
Preview The Creative School: A Framework for Success, Quality and Effectiveness
The Creative School This book is about a unique school. It is a school that, despite the increasing pressure put upon it by changes in the curriculum and the organisation of education, has managed to maintain the creative values that have won it international and government recognition. Written for teachers and headteachers who want to encourage creativity in their schools and classrooms, the book describes: • the school’s culture of holism • its use and appreciation of its grounds and environment for learning • its innovative approaches to curriculum organisation • its appropriation of national initiatives such as the literacy and numeracy hours • its creative teaching and learning through the eyes of observers, teachers, children and parents. The success of Coombes School shows that it is possible to combine externally imposed prescription with a set of personal beliefs and values – making a real difference to the quality of teaching and learning. This is an inspirational read. Bob Jeffrey was a primary school teacher for twenty years before joining The Open University, where he is now a Research Fellow. Peter Woods was formerly Professor of Education at The Open University. He is currently Research Professor at the University of Plymouth and has written extensively on creative practices in primary schools. The Creative School A framework for success, quality and effectiveness Bob Jeffrey and Peter Woods First published 2003 by RoutledgeFalmer 11 New Fetter Lane, London EC4P 4EE Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada by RoutledgeFalmer 29 West 35th Street, New York, NY 10001 This edition published in the Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2003. RoutledgeFalmer is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group © 2003 Bob Jeffrey and Peter Woods All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book has been requested ISBN 0-203-43722-5 Master e-book ISBN ISBN 0-203-45765-X (Adobe eReader Format) ISBN 0–415–28215–2 (hbk) ISBN 0–415–28214–4 (pbk) To Sue Humphries, Headteacher of Coombes 1971–2002 and to The staff,parents,and pupils,past and present,and to the numerous friends of this school. Contents Illustrations ix Acknowledgements x Introduction 1 1 The Coombes ethos 10 2 Learning through the environment: the creative use of space 20 3 The politics of appropriation 48 4 Curriculum organisation and delivery 67 5 The learning experience 98 6 Coombes as a learning community 123 References 136 Author index 143 Subject index 145 Illustrations Plates 1 Cooking together 2 Celebrating an annual event 3 Investigating forces 4 Literacy in the environment 5 Reality maths 6 Role-playing religious education 7 Co-participation 8 Reality history Figures 1 Coombes teaching staff, 2001 4 2 The school grounds 22 3 A typical curriculum timetable 69
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