The Black Country

Black Country Creative Partnerships is managed by the Black Country Children's Services Improvement Partnership (BCCSIP). This year we will focus on supporting schools in developing their role within our local communities, involving pupils in community consultation and taking an active part in the regeneration of the Black Country.

In 2007/8 Black Country Creative Partnerships are working with 56 schools, building sustainable networks that can promote motivation and creativity in schools across the sub region. The schools consist of:

• 7 Innovation Centres chosen from existing Creative Partnerships schools, which will form the hub of the new programme: Castle Special School in Walsall, Leighswood Primary in Walsall, George Salter High in Sandwell, Earls High in Dudley and Deansfield High, Trinity Church of England and Penn Hall Special in Wolverhampton. 4 of these schools will also work as Innovation Networks and work with a group of schools to push the boundaries of creative practice, make strategies for sustainability and establish a high profile in relation to dissemination.
• 49 other schools receiving support resources to provide time, external expertise and partnerships to enable staff to develop their practice and work in new ways within the school improvement agenda. Some schools will be building on work started in the 2006/7 programme, other schools will be beginning new programmes and 3 schools will be working with a cluster of schools.

Themes from focus questions include The Learning Environment, Exploring Delivery and Outdoor Space, Engaging Parents and the Community, Pupil Voice, Enterprise and Employability, Problem Solving, Pupil Self Esteem and Motivation.