Press & Feedback

PRESS RELEASE 19.2.2010

If You Go Down To The Woods Next Week……

Ardeley St Lawrence Primary School celebrate their Royal Opera House Creative Partnerships project:

TALES FROM THE WOODS

Something unexpected will be happening in the woods around Ardeley St Lawrence Primary School on Thursday 25 February when pupils from the school will be joined by parents, friends and the local community for a special campfire celebration.

Ardeley St Lawrence School is currently involved in a magical outdoor project, Tales From the Woods. In partnership with Church Farm Ardeley, this venture forms part of a Royal Opera House Creative Partnerships programme taking place throughout Stevenage. Working with forest schools practitioner Jane Glynn, storyteller Danya Miller, Church Farm, staff and pupils at Ardeley, the project has enabled staff to examine the way the school environment is used and to expand the creative learning.

Jenny Dingley, Head Teacher said ," I am thrilled that this partnership has enabled the school to take a step back with our chidlren from the huge pressures of life today and to use the natural world to stimulate their imaginations and develop creativity that comes from within. We have worked together to bring indoor classrooms outdoors and welcome the outside into the school in a challenging but safe way. Working in the snow and the mud has been fun"

Ardeley St Lawrence is a small rural primary school on the outskirts of Stevenage. It is surrounded by woods and these have become a new learning environment for the children. It is here that the whole school, 59 children in reception, infants and junior year groups will gather on Thursday 25 February to sing, share stories and hot chocolate together.

During the project, Jane Glynn has been exploring the woods with the staff and children. She comments, "The wood is full of surprises. Ideas develop out of this ever changing yet sturdy environment, maths, science, art, stories, poetry, music effortlessly flow together. These experiences create a sense of self-worth generating an engaged, lively and exciting relationship with learning that follows children back into the classroom"

On a recent visit to the school, the Bishop of St Albans observed the junior children creating stories together with Danya Miller. He said: ‘There was a wonderful atmosphere and I was impressed with the sense of calm happiness that prevailed’

The project has had a significant effect on the school. All pupils have been involved in the work and it has fostered a great sense of community, creativity and imagination. Additionally staff have noted that the standard of pupils writing has markedly risen as a result of this experience.

_________________________ENDS_____________________

For further information please contact

Danya Miller on 07858 465448 danya@wizardpresents.co.uk

or Sandra Colman from Ardeley St Lawrence School on 01438 861284

Royal Opera House Creative Partnerships

Managed by the Royal Opera House since October 2008, Creative Partnerships in the Thames Gateway provides innovative, long-term partnerships between schools and creative professionals. The Creative Partnerships programme helps more than 110 schools in the region look at different ways of using creative teaching and learning techniques across the curriculum, working across subject and year groups and encouraging parents to get involved.

Royal Opera House Creative Partnerships brings in film makers, dancers, graphic designers and sculptors, writers, actors, gardeners, painters, poets and photographers to inspire and work with staff, governors, parents and children. More than 100 artists are now involved, developing the skills of our younger generation. By incorporating the programme into the existing Royal Opera House Education programme, additional opportunities for schools are now available to enjoy the work of this world class organisation.

www.creative-partnerships.com

www.ardeley.herts.sch.uk

www.churchfarmardeley.co.uk

www.forestprojects.net

janeglynn.co.uk

RURAL SPARKS RECOGNITION

Agrarian Renaissance was short-listed for the Carnegie UK Trust’s Rural Sparks

Recognition Programme, and we got a certificate to put on the wall!

The Rural Sparks initiative is a search for “fiery spirits” who pursue good ideas

and make things happen, helping their own rural communities help themselves

and providing an inspiration for others, so we’re thrilled to have got a mention.
.

Certificate