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The focus of the work is to develop the capacity in schools and settings to promote and engage in creative thinking and learning linked to the four key themes: 

• Leading for creativity
• Promoting creative learning
• Working with  creative partners
• Generating creative enterprise 

Inspire Creativity mentors

In order to build the capacity to offer mentor support to schools and settings across each of the school improvement groups we are inviting expressions of interest from colleagues across the authority to become Inspire Creativity mentors.  We wish to draw upon the expertise and experience of those currently involved in developing best practice in creative thinking and learning.  Funding will be available to enable mentors to attend training events and to support the work of other colleagues across a range of settings.  

In order to find out more about the Inspire Creativity mentor programme then there will be a briefing meeting at Masson Mill, Monday 27 November 2006 from 2 - 4pm.  Attendance is free of charge but support for supply cover costs will not be available.

If you wish to attend this meeting please contact Nicola Richardson-Wood on 01629 580000 ext 2817 before 22 November 2006. 

Supporting creative teaching for creative learning 

Initially, a small number of schools and/or settings will be selected to develop an aspect of their practice. We anticipate additional funding will become available 2007/08 to further this work.

The Inspire Creativity mentors will work collaboratively with school staff to develop their practice.  Additional funding will be provided to each selected school to plan, implement and review their project.  Schools and settings will be invited to express an interest, via the extranet, and mentors will be linked taking phase specialisms and geographical location into consideration.  It is anticipated that Inspire Creativity mentors will work a maximum of two days per term, which would include two planning days on Tuesday 23 January 2007 at Willersley Castle from 9.30am – 3.30pm and Wednesday 21 February 2007 at Masson Mill from 9.30am – 3.30pm. 

The focus of these days will be to explain the objectives of Inspire Creativity and to explore ways of helping schools or settings to strengthen their abilities to develop creativity.

Together, schools and their mentor support will draw together a plan of action with significant milestones for their work, for both activity and an evaluation of its impact on the creative thinking and learning of those involved.  It is anticipated that work in schools and settings will focus on the whole curriculum and generic processes of learning and teaching, however the arts may be a vehicle to facilitate learning across other disciplines.

Support for schools will take place over the spring and summer (term 4 to term 6) and will contribute to the events taking place to celebrate creativity during the Inspire Creativity Week beginning 2 July 2007.

If you would like to register your interest in becoming an Inspire Creativity mentor we are asking you to submit a brief statement, on the attached proforma, that conveys your understanding and current involvement in creative learning.  We are not seeking specific project plans but an outline of your ideas and approaches that have developed creative learning in your situation.

Benefits to Inspire Creativity Mentors

Through participation in this pioneering project you will have opportunities to work with colleagues in other schools to explore and develop a range of creative learning and teaching approaches.  This is an important opportunity for extended professional development, enabling you to use and promote your capabilities and specialist areas of work in a strategic context. 

How to apply

The application should be on no more that one side of A4 to include:

• The range of work that you have been developing in creative thinking and learning
• Your involvement with other colleagues 
• The impact this has had on the motivation, learning and achievement of pupils 
• The creative processes you have found to be successful when working with teachers and learners
• The amount of time that you would be able to assign to this project
• Confirmation that your involvement in this initiative is with the permission of your headteacher and governors
  

The application form and supporting information can be downloaded below.