Creativity

This academic year marks an exciting new chapter for Sele First School as we begin our journey to develop creativity across the curriculum.

As newcomers to the Creativity programme, staff are exploring what it means to nurture creative thinking in everyday classroom practice. Rather than seeing creativity as confined to the arts, we are embedding it across all areas of learning, from Science and technology to English and beyond.

Teachers are working collaboratively to develop approaches that encourage curiosity, problem-solving and imagination. Through professional dialogue, experimentation and reflection, we are building a shared understanding of creative pedagogy and its positive impact on pupils’ confidence, engagement and outcomes.

This work reflects the wider national focus on creativity in education, including the recommendations of the Durham Commission on Creativity and Education, which highlighted the vital role creativity plays in preparing young people for life and future opportunities.

The year ahead offers opportunities for growth, innovation and the continued development of a school culture where creativity can flourish.

Our Junior Innovators are leading the way on this journey. They monitor the use of creativity in classrooms using Creative Counters and take part in dedicated sessions to deepen their understanding of our five core creative habits: discipline, imagination, collaboration, persistence and inquisitiveness.

Each class has a Creative Habits Wheel displaying these five habits and their sub-habits. This helps children understand the value of each habit and apply these skills in their daily learning.

 North East Primary Innovators NEPI

Sele First staff are working with North East Primary Innovators NEPI, a dynamic network of six primary schools based in the North East. The newly established network aims to drive educational improvement and excellence by championing collaborative leadership and innovation in teaching and learning.

Aims:

• Value and highlight primary professionalism and expertise.
• Bring together and utilise the skills and knowledge across our network schools to form strong outcomes for children.
• Give space for time to reflect, discuss and challenge thinking and current practice & consider why we do things as we do.
• Ensure we continually reflect on and challenge what we are doing and why.
• Use the latest research and work with key educational innovators to inform our work and meet demands on schools.
• Explore pedagogical approaches that make learning more meaningful for all children.
• Demonstrate commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.