The Pegasus Enrichment Group

‘Curriculum Collapse leads to a Renaissance at Long Close School!

In an effort to personalise learning, promote greater creativity and extend Gifted & Talented pupils Staff at Long Close School in Slough, Berkshire collapsed the normal curriculum and adopted a new, exciting, approach to learning.

 The idea of ‘Curriculum Collapse’ was inspired by comments made by an OFSTED Inspector who visited the Cognita school last May and who went onto award Long Close an ‘Outstanding’ judgement for pupil progress. During the curriculum collapse week a thematic approach was adopted with Key Stage 1 devoting the week to ‘Space’ and Key Stage 2 ‘The Renaissance’!

 At Long Close the underlying values of the educational experience for children reflect a need to develop the qualities of the Head, Heart and Hand. Planning was paramount for the teachers involved.  They had been meeting since the start of the academic year to plan the week, study develop and open themselves up to new experiences. Activities during the week were carefully planned to enable pupils on the Gifted & Talented register to demonstrate their gifts and talents in specific ways, pupils were challenged, enriched and inspired by a plethora of new ideas and exciting activities.

 The week began with an assembly where the Head Teacher, David Brazier, handed out telescopes and rockets to various classes, he also explained the ideas for the week. The school was transformed into a creative space of staggering energy and exuberance…

 …experiments took place, Shakespeare was performed, a planetarium erected in the school hall, Renaissance paintings sold (where else could you purchase a ‘The Birth of Venus’ with monopoly money?), nature observed, poems written, domes constructed…

 …the week ended with a rocket being launched from the playground with over sixty pupils doing the count down, it really was magical moment! After followed a performance assembly led by Mrs Sarah Sheridan, Head of the Prep School. All year groups talked about their experiences and gave performances, including music, drama and dance to an enthralled audience of parents.

 What can not be captured in words is the energy, enthusiasm and exuberance that this week has generated - an energy we are still felling now. To be freed of constraints (curriculum planning, prescription, etc) has ignited something in the teachers, or perhaps a better understanding would be ‘re-ignited’ those values and desires that made them become teachers in the first place. I found that teachers were able to ‘step back’ into their own learning and re-visit a place of ‘wonder’ within themselves.

 Success begets success and we have plans for future ‘Collapse’ weeks – something on Sherlock Homes and the art of deduction has been muted, or perhaps the Greek Tradition…

David Brazier - Nov 2010

 Parent Testimonial

 Just a quick note to say that my son has really enjoyed this week at school. The curriculum collapse week and in particular the topic of Space has been a real success.
 
I have to express to you his enthusiasm for school this week. He has been talking about planets, Space and astronauts non stop.  He thought that the planetarium was fantastic and has spoken eagerly about his model spaceship and his story about the constellations. I have read his story today in class and was frankly amazed at his imagination!
 
It is a real joy to see children so interested and eager for knowledge. Truly inspiring teaching!