National winner gets creative
A national 2004 Teaching Award winner is at the heart of a curriculum innovation at Cramlington Community High School in Northumberland. Yes, it’s Chris Harte head of modern foreign languages who is a driving force behind the three week extravaganza.
All lessons are suspended for hundreds of 11-14 Year olds so they can pursue exciting projects.
These include a mini Olympics, a music festival, a “Horrible Science” exhibition and a “Pimp My Ride” car fixing challenge.
The radical three-week break from the national curriculum transforms the school and promotes creative styles of learning with pupils engaged in film making, silk-screen printing, brick laying, dog training and much more.
Chris Harte said: “We take them just beyond their comfort zones and get them to apply skills they have been learning all year. The excitement in school is tangible.
The practical experiences, combined with stimulating outside speakers and off-site visits, help students to acquire new skills and confidence.”
