Hertfordshire Creative Learning Programme:

The Hertfordshire Creative Learning Programme uses creativity and creative activities to engage children and young people in learning and increase attainment across the curriculum. 

The programme consists of:

• projects designed in partnership with individual schools to explore a particular issue or interest of the school i.e. parental involvement, raising attainment in science, boy’s writing;
• Projects with pre-decided themes and objects – we are currently offering:
  • a banner making project for primary schools to celebrate 2012;
  • an online literacy project for young people who speak Engish as a second language;
  • a music and arts project exploring politics

• A programme of CPD and Insets for schools delivered by highly skilled and experienced creative learning practitioners

Background Information:

The Hertfordshire Creative Learning Programme has come out of the work we have been doing with the Royal Opera House Creative Partnerships (ROH CP) over the last three years

The ROH CP programme produced measurable gains in pupil attainment in core subjects:

‘We have hard evidence of the impact on children's attainment in writing. 20 out of 27 made a third of a level or more progress in narrative writing and in the strand that focuses on the structure of text and composition, 13 have made a third of a level progress and 9 have made as much as two thirds of a level. This is the first time we have seen such significant gains.’ 
(Martins Wood Primary School, Stevenage)

We also have evidence that creative learning programmes have produced:

• positive school leader assessments of improved school cultures and better parental engagement;
• imaginative CPD and Inset programmes;

and perhaps most importantly significant improvements in pupil engagement in learning:

‘The project involved a focus group of 12 of the school’s most vulnerable Y6 pupils who worked with practitioner Natasha Rehman to design an artwork (an outdoor mural) and learn the skills involved in its production, which they then transmitted to their classmates. 

The project had a positive impact on enjoyment of school life. The focus group described the project as “fun, amazing, cool” and “better than excellent”. One said that the project made him enjoy school; another told his mum it was “the best day ever”.
(Bonneygrove Primary School, Broxbourne)

If you would like more information or to arrange a meeting to discuss your ideas please contact: 

Suzanne Rider, Arts Education Development Officer
Hertfordshire Music Service 
Tel: 01438 202806
Email: suzanne.rider@hertscc.gov.uk