Creative Learning at Thomas Tallis School

These pages are an attempt to answer the question "What does creative learning look like?" This is no easy task but we hope to share examples of a variety of projects, learning activities and discoveries so that we can continue to develop opportunities for all learners to be creative and learn creatively. More detailed evaluation of particular creative learning opportunities can be found on the Documents page. Click here to read what Ofsted had to say about creative learning at Tallis in September 2008.

Our Manifesto for a Creative Tallis was generated in 2009 by members of an Action Research Group comprising students and staff members. We visited the launch of the Manifesto for a Creative Britain at Tate Modern and were inspired to use this as a stimulus for discussing what we might want to include in a manifesto of our own. Thus began a fascinating journey, documented on our blog, which culminated in a week long residency by Tangled Feet Theatre Company in July (2009) and the publication of this manifesto. We are engaged in exploring ways in which the ambitions stated in the manifesto can become reality in school and embedded into the learning process. We have recently revised the Manifesto in the form of a new interactive website where visitors can explore a range of resources and even contribute their own statements.

Please contact us if you have any comments about the information on this page. We are always on the look out for other great ideas and examples of best practice and would love to hear from you if you would like to undertake research into creative learning at Thomas Tallis School.

Manifesto for a Creative Tallis

1. We encourage all learners to become inquisitive, imaginative and innovative and
share responsibility for their own learning.
2. We believe that creative thinking is often a risky process and that people learn
from their mistakes as well as their successes.
3. We support students as creators of learning rather than passive receivers of
knowledge.
4. We recognise that positive social relationships and a safe and caring community
nurture creativity.
5. We value the process of reflection that helps to create deep learning experiences.
6. We encourage our students to develop transferable skills that will equip them for
life in the 21st century.
7. We believe that all learners should be supported in becoming effective
communicators and collaborators.
8. We believe that students and staff should have regular opportunities to exchange
skills and knowledge.
9. We are committed to using new technologies for learning.
10. We believe that students should have opportunities to communicate their
learning in a variety of ways that best suit their skills and interests.
11. We are committed to creative and cultural entitlement for all learners.
12. We evaluate the effectiveness of creative learning in school and share our
thoughts so that we can help each other become more effective learners.
13. We engage parents and carers, members of the local community and our other
learning partners in a dialogue about creative learning.
14. We actively celebrate the creativity of our community of learners.

School of Creativity Progress Report - March 2010

This report was prepared for the March visit of our national School of Creativity Advisor, Julian Sefton-Green. It outlines progress made since the previous visit in October 2009.

The report is divided into three sections:

1. Developing Practice: Transforming Our School
2. Influencing Practice: Transforming Other Schools
3. Leading Practice: Transforming the Education System

The appendix includes a first draft of a proposed framework for assessing pupil progress in creative learning.

A copy of the report is available for download.

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