North West Creative Habits of Mind Network

Bolton School is a founding partner school in the North West Creative Habits of Mind Network, working with the Philip Barker Centre for Creative Learning (University of Chester).

Setting up a creative learning network to progress creative teaching and learning practice, including assessment, across the region. The work is linked to PISA testing focus upon creativity

Aims

To explore the ways and means to support a network of North West secondary schools and arts organisations with expertise in ‘Creative Habits of Mind’. To share resources and approaches to nurturing and promoting creative habits. To introduce ways that have been trialled to assess Creative Habits of Mind. To consider funding possibilities of the future development of the network.

Background

Bolton School approached by University of Chester / freelance arts education consultant due to previous project CPD work run in school and recommendation from Curious Minds.

Resources

Staff time/cost of staff time, expertise and release from school and/or use of staff’s own time required to participate in the range of activities listed.

Extensive resources produced by staff to develop and augment each of the projects mentioned. If not resources produced, then project and event management skills shared.

Impact

Capturing impact of creative and cultural activities is a current area of growth. We are part of the RSA Cultural Evidence Champions to this end, developing methodology to capture quantitative information.

Artsmark advocacy and development is a key structural element behind out partnership work – staff enfranchised by Curious Minds (Arts Council Bridge) to present case studies at schools festivals and to contribute to their Leading the Arts course – developmental mastery of arts development including partnerships indicated by shift to sharing expertise with other school arts leaders.

Frequency

Ongoing with intermittent focus on new projects within the continued partnership.