Elm Grove Primary School, Brighton
| "The Global School programme has had a significant effect on the approach to curriculum delivery at Elm Grove Primary. From the initial survey and analysis of children's views we are developing an increasing understanding of helping children to develop a global perspective when learning. Support for teachers with planning and resources has been linked to inset and training thereby enabling teachers to plan effectively and address global issues in many curriculum areas." John Lynch Head teacher, Elm Grove Primary school. December 2009 |
In March 2009 Elm Grove Primary School, Brighton, came alive for two weeks to celebrate
"A World of Art".
A packed programme of workshops and performances invited local artists, performers and parents into the school to explore arts activities from sculpture to storytelling, mask making to merengue dancing and acting to West African drumming.
The events incorporated World Book Day which introduced children to a range of stories from around the world as a starting point for class based arts activities as well as developing the children's oral storytelling skills.
Irene Mensah, local visual artist and dancer worked with year 4 children on "Growing your own Story Seeds".
Children first listened to music from around the world, to plant seeds of inspiration. Then they began to work with Irene exploring ideas of identity, having the opportunity to think about who they are, what they like and dislike, who is important to them, and how they want to be portrayed. The children developed a sense of place as a member of the school, Brighton and global communities.
Characters were then created from their initial ideas, incorporating elements of their own identities, aspirations, dreams and imagination to develop stories around them. Transparent multi-media portraits and personal lucky charms brought together these ideas: using photography to create shapes with parts of the body; paired with drawing to exaggerate features; Text and symbols were used to visualise these identities with children developing their own unique styles.
The final pieces which will be hung from the school corridors show elements of self identity and imagination working together.
Elm Grove has been developing its Global schools programme during the last year in a number of ways.
A training day was held in June with the whole staff team and included teaching assistants. The day gave an introduction to Global Citizenship and the Global Dimension, activities for developing critical thinking skills, a look at the use of artefacts and teaching resources and discussion on language and terminology around the Global Dimension.
John Lynch, Head teacher carried out a self assessment tool to recognise areas of strength and areas for development as a Global School and is looking at the Arts Mark Award and how the Global Dimension can support this. The schools waste company has recently been changed and the school is now recycling and composting.
Activities carried out during the year have included work during Black History Month, Anti-bullying week and a harvest musical looking at the inequities in the distribution of food.
The school is currently working toward the Artsmark award and are looking at how the Global Dimension can be brought into the arts curriculum with new resource collections on printing techniques from Ghana and Rwandan baskets being used. An Arts week is planned for March which will explore journeys through storytelling and visual arts and will invite International artists in to the school to work with the children.
Teachers have sourced and used new resources bringing in elements of the Global Dimension into their curriculum planning and video clips are used in assemblies to challenge stereotypes and assumptions.
Further training with teachers in the Autumn term explored activities around food, discussion on challenging discrimination and evaluation of ongoing work.
"Pupils' have an excellent understanding of the wider community beyond the school gates. Initiatives such as Black History Month and the Global School Project ensure that pupils have a good understanding of Britain as a diverse society and a real understanding and appreciation of the rights and responsibilities which have all helped to establish a strong, cohesive community where every child really matters."
Dissemination: Local Primary Schools' Advisor and Primary Strategy Manager, Hilary Ferries is very supportive of the Global School programme and a visit has taken place from another school as advised by Hilary to gain insight into the development of the programme.
"Our involvement in the Global Schools Project has helped us to recognise and celebrate the efforts we have made to develop a diverse curriculum. It has also given us the opportunity to explore further the global perspective and give our children a wider understanding and a more balanced view of the world."
John Lynch, Head teacher
January 2009
