Testimonies

Students

'I liked working in the gallery because it was a different space: more peaceful, more space, it allowed me space to think.'
Student, Year 5, Ludgvan School, Cornwall

'I think it’s the future of learning – to make it more creative.  For a teacher to just stand in front of me, I don’t really care.  But if it’s creative it makes people want to learn.'
Student, Year 10 St. Thomas More Catholic College, Stoke-on-Trent

'I really like the fact that we’re all talking to each other and not judging anyone or being too shy to say anything.  I hope we can be more like that in other classes.'
Student, Manchester

'I learnt that we are dancing all the time.'
Primary school student, Brent

'The little person on your shoulder saying ‘you can do it’ has got much bigger.'
Student, Woodchurch Road Primary School, Merseyside

Teachers

'It is skilling up our staff. It is a way of developing their own creativity by working alongside artists and gaining confidence in their own ability as creative people. I'm finding now with planning that the staff are not sitting back and allowing the artists to take the lead, but working together with them or taking the lead themselves. It has been a very natural organic process.'
Primary Head Teacher, Nottingham

'It has generated excitement at the possibilities for real change in the outlook in some of the hotspots of deprivation and has opened the minds of all to the need for creative activity at the core of the school, and in all subject areas.'
Tony Lyng, Head Teacher, Brockhill Performing Arts College

'Creative Partnerships is the best thing to happen to this school in the ten years I have been teaching here – the learning and the teaching is of the highest standards ever. It is helping to develop stronger links between parents, children, staff and creative partners. Everyone is becoming so interested in what the children are achieving and how they are learning.'
Advanced Skills Teacher, Priory School, Slough

'Participation in Creative Partnerships is seen as a key contributor to the marked improvements in the schools SATS results. Creative Partnerships has provided me with the time and opportunity to work with my staff to develop new approaches to teaching and learning across the school.'
Head Teacher, Barmston Primary School, Durham

'The partnerships I now have, have made a huge difference to how I feel about myself and to what I am prepared and able to take on board. If we are able to transfer this different way of feeling to our children and give them real confidence, support and encouragement then we can really help our children learn and enjoy what they do at school and beyond.'
Kate Murray, Head Teacher, Oldbury Court Primary School, Bristol

'The resources are well targeted and teachers have picked up lots of ideas. It's nice to make contact on our home ground rather than to have to go to these organisations. Teachers are more aware of what these creative partners have to offer and will be in touch in the future.'
Sue Kerwin, Deputy Head, St. Malachys Roman Catholic Primary School, Liverpool

Creative practitioners

'This experience has renewed my faith in working with schools and teachers - of the potential and impact of creative learning delivered through meaningful partnerships. It's afforded me the opportunity to really reflect upon my practice, and to gain a much greater understanding of the challenges and issues in schools. We will all be taking this learning back to other organisations with whom we work.'
Graham Urlwin, artist and consultant, Manchester and Salford

'Certain kids opened up completely and were able to work together very successfully- the element of fun through learning was high. I feel like I can definitely offer more, even it is just a different way of thinking.'
Creative partner, Maricourt School, Merseyside

Ofsted reports

Read Creative Partnerships' Ofsted report 2006

'Pupils clearly enjoy coming to school and are enthused by and interested in the wide range of opportunities provided for their learning. They talk especially enthusiastically about, and engage in fully, those provided through the schools work with Creative Partnerships... These very positive attitudes clearly contribute to pupils very good progress academically and to their personal development as they are very well motivated and actively involved in their learning.'
Ofsted report on Stormont House School, Hackney 2005 - read the full report

'The Creative Partnerships project has also acted as a stimulus for the schools increasing use of cross-curricular links between subjects. This is where the knowledge, understanding and skills taught in one subject are applied and consolidated in another. This is beginning to give pupils more opportunities to develop their speaking, listening and communication skills in wider contexts than just literacy and humanities.'
Ofsted report, Teyfant Community School, Bristol 2005 - read the full report