Our project was to enhance teaching and learning through a whole KS2 topic focused around the topic of The Rainforest.

We wanted to make our learning more creative through a topic based approach that could bring in a range of visitors to enhance learning.

We were looking to link our learning in Literacy, Science, Musicand Geography and to work in partnership with the Literacy Consultants, specialist visitors for the Rainforest and our own AST Music specialist in school.

After carrying out our self review of skills and attributes we knew we wanted to focus on the following:Enquiry and creative thinking skillsThe ability to learn for the joy of learning

In the project our key aims for pupils have been:To enjoy learningTo be motivated to learnTo know how to ask questions to find things outTo improve standards of writing across the curriculum

Our key aims for staff have been:

To develop staff use of questions to encourage enquiry skillsTo help staff feel more confident in teaching creatively

If our project was successful then we hoped all of the aims would become part of everyday teaching and learning within our school.

Project was for all of KS2

Involved all staff and pupils within the key stage

Project to last a term to offer flexibility and time for evaluation

Pupils

All staff in KS2

Headteacher / SMT

Parents

Governors

Other professionals with links to school e.g. Dance teacher

This is how we monitored and evaluated our project:

Pupil questionnaires about learning enjoyment and use of skills in learning. Same questionnaire given at beginning and end of topic to make comparison. Mid-point evaluation also undertaken.Staff questionnaires given re confidence in developing and teaching creative projects.New style curriculum newsletter for parents including comments areaTalked to groups of pupils about their learning as focus groups.Informal observations of teaching and learning throughout the topic.Use of Key Stage meetings as professional discussion time of project.Feedback requested from visitors of their views on participation, understanding and skills.

Thematic approachGave a purpose to learning and helped children learn how to use skills across the curriculum.Planning showed more opportunities for writing across the curriculum and we incorporated this into our APP pieces.Opportunity to try out ideas and this has shown in our next creative topics where we have tried different approaches to make comparisons. It has also impacted in that we have had more ideas to bring to future planning.

Chance to share what we have found within SMT to impact across school. As this was a KS2 project we have been able to share ourfindings with KS1 within the SMT.

Learning has been celebrated and children have been sharing learning with parents and family. We know this from the comments parents have made and from the learning children have brought in from home where they have worked with family.

Visitors

We made scrapbooks of our learning throughout the project to keep a record to share with pupils, staff, Governors and parents.

Continuing with thematic approach

Continue with our new style curriculum newsletter

Looking ahead to next year and how we can use the knowledge gained to develop teaching and learning

Keeping our teaching and learning flexible enough to cope with any further curriculum changes

Continue to develop learning by including visits and visitors

We wouldnt have changed anything in our project as it met the aims we set out at the beginning and we always saw this as the start of a longer term change in teaching and learning within our school. The knowledge we have gained allows us to continue making changes and to enhance our creative teaching and learning.

Our top tips:Do use the skills and attributes self evaluation so you are clear about your starting point.Make sure evaluation and monitoring is throughout the progress to get a clear picture of developments.Have enough staff involved so that ideas can be shared and there are opportunities for peer support.And if you get the chance to take part - say yes!