Eccleston CE
Primary School is housed in a Grade II listed building in Eccleston, a village
two miles south of Chester. The school is smaller than most primary schools.
There are 101 pupils (46 girls and 55 boys) on roll, who all attend on a
full-time basis.
There is good
provision for pupils to develop their creative skills, especially in art and
design and in music.
Ofsted school
inspection - February 2004.
Background and
rationale
Overleigh Primary
School has decided to join forces with Eccleston Primary School whose teachers
are also interested in developing their visual arts expertise. Both schools
would like to be more creative in their teaching and to lend variety to their
provision for pupils. In addition, some teachers have had little or no
in-service training in the arts and regard this opportunity as important.
Project Report
Commentary
It was useful for
the Eccleston staff to visit a large primary school, and a good rapport was
built with the staff from Overleigh.
When Overleigh staff visited Eccleston there was lots of positive
feedback which was really affirming for the Eccleston staff. The greatest value
in the project was the shared experience. The variety of activities would not
have been as wide if the project had been held at Eccleston as they do not have
the resources (e.g. kiln) that are available at Overleigh. It was really
helpful that the heads set the focus of the project.
Implications
The project has
built up staff confidence in teaching art. Previously the art curriculum was
quite safe, however teachers are now incorporating the use of different
materials such as fabric, clay and are using a variety of techniques together.
Teachers no longer feel restricted when planning for art. Both schools are
developing a thematic curriculum, which they are now working on together,
however had it not been for the art project they would not have realised that
they were working towards the same aim.
Evaluation
The biggest impact
has been the range of experiences that are now available to pupils. The school has been able to use resources
that would not normally have been available to them (kiln) and the art
co-ordinator from Overleigh has been continuing to work with the pupils and
teachers at Eccleston.
The school
environment is much more aesthetic.
Techniques of displaying art has improved and pupils are noticing that
their work is valued. Both staff and
pupils are taking more care with display work and appreciating the environment.
The tutor's presentation style was informal yet informative and
enthusiastic. He was an excellent
facilitator. 'Every member of staff has said how fantastic it has been'. There
were no complaints from staff about staying late after school.
Representatives of
Chester CPD viewed the exhibition of work in Overleigh Primary School at the
end of the project and discussed the outcomes with staff.
Findings were that:
the work was of a very good quality of
thought, imagination, production and display
the project displayed deeply rooted
cross curricular implications
the teachers were pleased with the
pupils' artistic development and talked readily about the project as a whole
the school had incorporated artistic
essence into the curriculum.
