Press Release

22/10/2007

Northumberland Rising with the help of Paul the Penguin

A penguin called Paul has helped educationalists see the potential of a new creative project in Northumberland.

Paul the Penguin – a short animation made by two pupils from Prudhoe Community High School – was screened at the recent launch of Northumberland Rising to highlight the creative skills of young people in the county.

Northumberland Rising –which has been part funded by the European Social Fund - has been devised by Creative Partnerships Northumberland in conjunction with Northumberland County Council and is aimed at inspiring professionals who work with young people.

National Director of Creative Partnerships, Paul Collard, was transformed on screen into the penguin by 17-year-old Prudhoe pupils Michael Bailey and Gary Carse, who have already won national awards for their animation work. Their brief was to produce a viral advert for Creative Partnerships, highlighting the advantages of film work in school.

The teenager said that the support given by their teacher Tim Smith has played a large part in their success to date and the aim is to encourage relationships like this through Northumberland Rising, offering teachers and creative practitioners the opportunity to develop their skills through a number of creative labs led by cutting edge professionals.

Plans are underway to get a number of big names from the worlds of music and film making to lead the labs, the first of which will be taking place in January with internationally-renowned composer Nitin Sawhney and composer Sandra Kerr who created the music for the TV series Bagpuss.

Following the launch, a large number of schools have already signed up to take part in Northumberland Rising with head teachers seeing the advantages to their school teams. More are expected to follow for what is likely to be a unique opportunity for professional development.

The labs will be held between January and July 2008, each one lasting between three and five days and taking place at locations away from the participants’ usual places of work.

The project will be co-ordinated by Philippa Raper who said that “the labs will be designed to help artists and teachers further their knowledge, skills and development in both peer-to-peer and teaching environments.”

“They will also learn about the skills young people need to compete in the music and film industry.

“Each participant will plan and deliver a project for young people, using the skills and ideas gained at the creative labs. Teachers will be given five days’ supply cover to release them to take part in Northumberland Rising.”

Anyone wanting further information should visit www.northumberlandrising.com or ring Philippa Raper on 01670 700910.

Notes for editors

For further information contact Sorted PR on 0191 265 6111.
Northumberland Rising follows on from the success of Anthem for Northumberland, a project which saw hundreds of schoolchildren from across the county create an original film and musical score.
The film Paul the Penguin can be viewed on the video sharing website YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWm_3PayKU4.
Creative Partnerships Is the Government’s flagship creativity programme for young people, managed by Arts Council England and funded by Department of Culture Media and Sport and the Department for Education and Skills.
Creative Partnerships Northumberland is fostering long term partnerships, which bring teachers, families and creative practitioners together equipped with the resources to enthral and inspire young people making schools exciting places to be. Where differences are valued and celebrated and learning is seen as a way of widening horizons and visualising ambitious futures.
Creative Partnerships Northumberland aims to demystify the creative and cultural sectors, show pathways to future employment and encourage ownership of the county’s rich cultural heritage. October 22 2007

Contact details

Philippa Raper
Project Coordinator
Creative Partnerships Northumberland
01670 700910.