Four schools in Cumbria have successfully achieved a national Leading Aspect Award for areas of good practice in the past school year.
The Leading Aspect Award has been developed to recognise, celebrate and share leading practice in education. The award is also endorsed by the Department of Children, Schools and Families and by Ofsted.
Pennington CE School near Ulverston worked with 11 schools of a similar size evaluating the impact of Artists-in-Residence on the quality of teaching and learning and the impact on standards, especially in literacy. For many years the school has developed a creative curriculum through its work with local artists, people in the community, creative projects with other schools or theatre groups, teacher placements eg. The National Trust and Beatrix Potter etc. Two drama specialists also work with the children every Wednesday morning. The Leading Aspect Award acknowledged Pennington C.E. school’s creative approach to teaching by using all this local expertise to enhance its creative curriculum.
St Michael's Nursery and Infant School, Workington were acknowledged for their high quality foundation stage. The school’s provision had undergone vast improvements and as a result children are demonstrating greater independence and are more fully involved in their learning. Children have been more settled in their move from nursery to reception and the improved outdoor provision has benefited all children.
Arnside National CE Primary School, Carnforth were also acknowledged for their quality of outdoor education provision at the foundation stage. The evidence showed that pupils developed skills such as coordination, balance and their ability to share and work together as a team improved. The early years focus on play and outdoor activity helps to nurture the skill and talents of all pupils.
Langwathby CE Primary School were acknowledged in two areas and received two Leading Aspect awards for promoting art through a broad based curriculum of opportunities and their second award was for their early years provision.
The school arranged a series of artists’ workshops which provided hands-on practice and enabled pupils to learn new techniques. In addition to this, the school’s early years team worked hard to foster independent learning experiences for children through quality continuous provision within the "plan –do –review" model and their "outstanding" teaching and learning in the foundation stage has also been recognised by Ofsted as a strength of the school.
John Swainston, Head of Service for Schools and Learning, Cumbria County Council said "I am delighted that the good practice in these schools has been highlighted by the Leading Aspect Award. There is such a variety of good work being carried out with children across Cumbria and it is great that this is being recognised nationally. Congratulations to all of the schools who have received awards."
Notes
Since the start of this award approximately 600 providers of education from all over the country have achieved a Leading Aspect Award. The case studies are displayed on the Leading Aspect Award’s website http://www.leadingaspectaward.org.uk/welcome (external link).
For further information on the individual awards please contact:
•Pennington CE School, Pennington, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 0RR Tel: 01229 89 4133
•St Michael's Nursery and Infant School, Station Road, Workington, Cumbria, CA14 2UY Tel: 01900 32 5244
•Arnside National CE School, Church Hill, Arnside, Carnforth, Cumbria, LA5 0DW Tel: 01524 761159
•Langwathby CE School, Salkeld Road, Langwathby, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 1ND Tel: 01768 881295
ENDS
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