Future Creative launches book to inspire creative teaching

‘Creative Teaching for Tomorrow: Fostering a Creative State of Mind’ proves that creative teaching and learning raises standards for all

On Stand C23 at TES Education North (23-24 April 2010), Future Creative www.future-creative.org will be launching its new book ‘Creative Teaching for Tomorrow: Fostering a Creative State of Mind’ – a study by distinguished authors Teresa Cremin, Jonathan Barnes and Stephen Scoffham. Based on a research project undertaken during 2004-2005 by Canterbury Christ Church University and Future Creative, the book explores the characteristics of creative teachers, identifying the behaviours and environments that support the development of these attributes. Visitors will have the chance to enter a prize draw to win ten copies of the book for their colleagues and can purchase it at an exclusive ten per cent discounted rate.¹

Future Creative will also be launching the Flexigons © - a unique educational and training resource designed specifically to demonstrate the flexibility of the Early Years Foundation Stage. In addition, it will be exhibiting its Explore, Engage and Inspire creative learning programmes, which enable teachers and students to engage with creative professionals, such as artists, designers, scientists and entrepreneurs in the wider community.

All practitioners and teachers from Foundation Stage through to adult learning are invited to attend a free workshop, ‘Creative Teaching for Tomorrow’, delivered by Future Creative’s experienced creative team, Rob Dembrey and Beth Harris, at 11:45-12:15 on 23rd April. Visitors are urged to arrive early to ensure a place.

According to the Government’s recent Education White Paper, future employers will require today’s young people to enter employment with good qualifications and the ability to be flexible, adaptable and creative.² Furthermore, a recent Ofsted survey confirms that pupil motivation, progress and attainment were improved by creative approaches to learning.³ ‘Creative Teaching for Tomorrow’ involves a survey of 20 schools, revealing evidence that creative thinking benefits students economically, socially and academically. Real-life interviews with teachers and students, complete with questions and answers, attest that creative approaches do help to increase learners’ personal curiosity and desire to learn, to realise the importance of risk-taking and to become more engaged with the learning experience as well as the world around them.

Dr Stephen Scoffham, Principal Lecturer, Faculty of Education, Canterbury Christ Church University, and co-author of ‘Creative Teaching for Tomorrow’, commented: “One of the most interesting findings from our research was that teachers who think of themselves as creative seem likely to promote creativity in their pupils. In other words, they have a creative state of mind. Future Creative and creative partners have a critical role to play in promoting this mind-set in both teachers and young people.

“We also found that creative practice was likely to flourish best in schools where there was a clear commitment to a shared ethos and where staff enjoyed the active support of the school leadership.”

Esme Chilton, Creative Director at Future Creative, added: “'Creative Teaching for Tomorrow’ is a brilliantly accessible, academic research study showing that creativity is not only about art and craft, it can be used to solve problems and think of new ways to deal with challenges. If teachers of tomorrow are to support the learners of tomorrow, then the significance of creativity must be acknowledged, explored and embedded within teaching and learning experiences.”

The newly launching Flexigons demonstrate the degree to which the Early Years Foundation Stage and the National Curriculum can be treated as inter-connected and inter-dependent. Using the Flexigons it is possible to step inside a curriculum, discover the possibilities and make new significant connections. This brand-new product is being sold at an RRP of £49.95. Visitors can visit the Future Creative stand to find out more about the Flexigons and buy a set on the day!

Future Creative will also be exhibiting its Explore, Engage and Inspire creativity programmes: Explore delivers school-based creative projects; Engage delivers community cohesion projects; Inspire delivers CPD programmes for teachers and senior management from early years to adult learning. Experts specialising in each of these areas will be available to offer advice and guidance for teachers who want to integrate creative approaches into their teaching practice. Videos and images of projects will also be showcased at the stand, giving visitors real-life examples of how creative thinking is impacting on the teaching and learning experience.

For further information about Future Creative or ‘Creative Teaching for Tomorrow’, please contact Christie Plumb, Marketing Officer at Future Creative, on t: 0845 200 4628, e: christie.plumb@future-creative.org, w: www.future-creative.org. For further information about Creative Partnerships, managed by national organisation Creativity, Culture and Education, please visit: www.creative-partnerships.com or www.creativitycultureeducation.org. To find our more about Arts Award please visit: www.artsaward.org.uk.

¹ The book is available to buy now from www.future-creative.org (RRP £15.00 + postage and packaging).
² Your Child; Your Schools; Our Future: Building a 21st Century School System White Paper.
³ Learning: Creative approaches that raise standards - Ofsted report published on 15.01.10.

Issued: 22.02.10 Ends Ref: FC001

Notes to editor

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About Future Creative (www.future-creative.org):
Future Creative is a dynamic social enterprise organisation that acts as a creative agency throughout Kent and Medway, developing and delivering a range of innovative creative learning programmes, including the three-strand national Creative Partnerships programme. It collaborates with partners in education, culture and business to improve the life chances of young people and adults by developing their creative skills. Its creative learning programmes develop imaginations, aspirations and skills for life by inspiring, challenging and empowering all involved, enabling young people and their communities to optimise their potential to contribute to their changing worlds. Future Creative currently works with over 100 schools.

About Creative Partnerships (www.creative-partnerships.com):
Creative Partnerships is the Government’s creative learning programme which has worked with over 940,000 young people and over 90,000 teachers by fostering long-term partnerships between schools and creative professionals to inspire, harness the potential of creative learning and experiment with new ideas. Managed by the national organisation, Creativity, Culture and Education (CCE), the programme was launched in 2002 and has worked with nearly 5,000 schools across England, from Key Stage 1 to 4.
The programme comprises three strands:
• The Enquiry Schools programme works with schools over a period of one year, to explore how creative teaching and learning can enhance their practice. Enquiry Schools decide on a specific focus for their programme in relation to the broader needs of the school.
• The Change Schools programme builds on Creative Partnerships’ current practice to bring about sustainable change in approaches to teaching and learning. Schools recruited to the programme demonstrate a commitment to putting creativity at the heart of their improvement plans and to educating children and young people for a creative future.
• The Schools of Creativity programme builds on the best of Creative Partnerships’ current practice. It enables a select group of outstanding schools to engage in cutting-edge research and innovative outreach with other schools.
About Creativity, Culture and Education (www.creativitycultureeducation.org):
Creativity, Culture and Education (CCE) is the new national organisation which aims to transform the lives of children and families by harnessing the potential of creative learning and cultural opportunity to enhance their aspirations, achievements and skills. Its vision is for children’s creativity to be encouraged and nurtured in and out of school and for all children to experience and access the diverse range of cultural activity in England because these opportunities can have an enormous impact on their life chances.
CCE delivers the following cultural and creative programmes and initiatives:
• Creative Partnerships – the Government’s flagship creative learning programme: www.creative-partnerships.com.
• Find your Talent – the Government’s pilot cultural offer for all children and young people: www.findyourtalent.org.
• Shine – the annual celebration of the talent of all children and young people: www.shineweek.co.uk.

About the Arts Award (www.artsaward.org.uk):
Future Creative, on behalf of the Creative Learning South East Consortium (Future Creative, Creative Junction, CP Sussex & Surrey and CP Southampton, Portsmouth and Hampshire), is delighted to be co-ordinating the Arts Award in the South East from July 2009. The award is intended to encourage participation in the arts across a wide range of young people, to recognise development and achievement, and to help young people explore pathways into the cultural industries. The Arts Award is a national qualification which supports young people to develop as artists and arts leaders. The award fosters creative, communication and leadership skills and helps to prepare young people for further education and employment. The award is accessible to any young person aged 11-25 and embraces all cultural interests and backgrounds.