Continual creative learners achieve more
“If you get a chance to work with Artis, grab it!” That’s the resounding verdict of Deputy Head David Glynn from St Brigid’s RC Primary School, east Manchester. And he should know. For the third consecutive year Artis Specialist Helen Temperley (Splat) is working with the school, leading weekly creative performance sessions for every one of its 205 children.
“The benefits of working with Artis are enormous,” continued David. “We have a good team here with excellent commitment from both teaching and support staff. Helen (Splat) is 100% part of that team approach and was instrumental to us in achieving Artsmark.
“Ofsted remarked positively on our creative provision at our last inspection and, since then, Artis, through Helen (Splat), has taken the children’s performance-based lessons to new and better levels. We’ve had increased attainment in Key Stage 2 tests, and our children are growing in self-confidence and ideas. Their communication, language, imagination and exploration skills can improve dramatically through Helen’s sessions, qualities that benefit learning in other lessons.
“Our commitment to Artis began in 2006, as a response to both staff needs and the demand through the student voice and School Council for more music, drama and dance. Helen (Splat) is a professional musician with a master’s degree in composition from Manchester University. Yet her sessions are an equal blend of drama, movement and music. She comes to our school with an open agenda, looking to understand and see where Artis’ work can add to our current curriculum topics. Helen’s organisational skills are exceptional, a reflection of her innate ability and the excellent training and support she gets from Artis.”
It’s a view supported by St Brigid’s Head teacher, Frank Smith:
“At the moment there is much interest around the world about how inspirational, creative learning contributes to developing receptive, problem-solving minds of the future. At St Brigid’s we’re dedicated to that principle, offering an enriched teaching curriculum, to which Helen (Splat) and Artis are big contributors. We’re proud of the work all our teachers and students produce. At our next Ofsted inspection we will relish the opportunity to show how creative performance is forming successful, happy students and the benefits it brings to all-round classroom learning and achievement.”
Helen (Splat) originally worked at St Brigid’s for one day a week, a commitment now increased to a day and a half to ensure every pupil gets the chance to have creative learning as part of their timetable. The consistent relationship that has developed between Helen (Splat) and St Brigid’s is central to Artis’ ethos. The strong, continuing presence of an Artis Specialist in the life of a school offers the best possible chance for children to develop skills through creative learning. This is clearly important to Helen (Splat): “This is the third year I’ve worked with Year Six children, and to watch them evolve and develop is incredibly rewarding. As a group they now have performance skills of a high standard, which in turn opens more opportunities to learn creatively.
“I’d love to work at St Brigid’s for as long as I can. It’s a great school and the teamwork is impressive. I’m treated as part of the staff, not as an outsider offering a bolt-on service. They value my work as an integral part of the curriculum, which means the school gets the best out of Artis.”
As well as being an Artis Specialist, Helen (Splat) keeps up a schedule of professional performances and other teaching commitments. She is also taking part in the Artis Postgraduate Diploma course to further develop her high standard of pedagogic knowledge.
For more information about making Artis a part of your school curriculum and creative learning plan, contact Lucia Manzitti at cricri@artiseducation.com or call 0870 050 3712.