Building a Creative School

• Teacher -  “I have learned so much from this course. I feel that I completed it at a good time for me as we are knee deep in the creative schools programme and have year one over us and are looking forward to year two. This has given me a better understanding of areas that can be included in your creative plan. It's not just music art and drama. There is so much more to it. I feel a little more confident in carrying that message back to my school staff. A thoroughly enjoyable and informative course. Thank you!”

• Principal -  “I'm looking forward to using the ideas and knowledge which I 've learned from the videos/podcasts/readings/powerpoints/course tutor and also from the participants!”

• Teacher - “I found the various local and national organisations which can help schools really beneficial and look forward to utilising these. This was something that surprised me about the course as I did not know the extent of supports available to schools.”

• Teacher - "One thing that surprised me about creativity in education is how easy it is to implement. Before I would have thought that it would require so much extra planning, numerous resources and probably extra support in terms of teachers, but creativity to me now is stripping it back, keeping it simple."

• Teacher - “As a parent, I was already aware of the importance of developing children’s creativity. My teacher training really embedded this understanding, but I found myself without the practical skills to implement my ideas. This course has really given me ideas to bring to the classroom, as well as gotten me thinking about how they will work in my own class. I have made a list of the external groups I want to contact this year (fighting words and SEAI Ireland). I have already started to consider technology that I can bring to the class (Stop Motion videos) and have ordered a box from ReCreate Ireland. This course has made me very excited for the new year.”

• Teacher - “I guess I'm surprised at how well Creativity and Wellbeing marry together and complement each other. This is good to know as we engage in our SSE and they are two areas we are very conscious of as a school.”

• Teacher - "I have learned a copious amount from this online CPD course that I will apply in the coming year in my classroom. Firstly, I have learned how you do not need to be an 'artsy' person, but any teacher can be creative. I can now see how creative I have been as a teacher, without even realising that I am creating something."

• Teacher - "There has been an endless amount of information & learning throughout this course. As a lover of the arts, in particular drama, this course and the variety of modules and content covered greatly expanded my prior knowledge of creativity as a concept, but also creativity in schools. Undertaking this course has provided me with more confidence to further create an atmosphere & culture of creativity in my school."

• Teacher -   'I found this course very beneficial, both in terms of how it has shown me how much my school and myself as a teacher are already doing to include creativity in our school, but also giving me ideas about how we could extend and improve further. Listening to the podcasts and reading the articles was very inspiring, and I definitely will try and bring some elements of the ideas shared in those into my own classroom. I also found the discussion forums interesting, and have gleaned some ideas from these chats also! ' 

This module gives an overview of what creativity means, how it looks in a school setting and how linking up with outside agencies for support can boost learning in your school.

• To better understand the concept of creativity in a school setting

• To explore some outside organisations which schools can link with to support creativity

In this module we explore Project-Based learning, the Flipped Classroom model and Thematic teaching and learning. We examine practical activities and opportunities with Literacy, Numeracy and SESE.

• To examine innovative pedagogies and methodologies to promote creative thinking in students

• To understand the role of the teacher and how he/she supports childrens’ creative development

• To explore opportunities for creative integration through specific curricular areas

We consider the versatility of the Arts in teaching and learning, with practical activities and opportunities in Visual Art, Music and Drama. We also identify differentiation opportunities for SEN with creativity being used as therapy for all children.

• To analyse the versatility of the arts as a means for creativity

• To investigate the use of creative processes as therapy for children

• To discover how to differentiate for children with Special Educational Needs during creative activities

In Module 4 we consider how creative expression supports wellbeing especially through Aistear and Outdoor Education. We also explore activities and opportunities for creative expression with PE and SPHE. We also focus on creativity in Digital Learning through Maker-Space, coding, podcasting, videography and Book Creator.

• To explore the various ways in which creative expression supports Health and Wellbeing

• To explore the positive effects of nature on creativity 

• To evaluate the importance of creativity in play and Aistear

• To consider the central role of creativity in digital learning experiences and problem-solving

Module 5 focuses on the whole school approach to facilitating creative practice through the lens of SSE. It identifies the importance of leadership’s facilitation of the development of a culture and environment of creativity. We also highlight the Department of Education's Creative Schools program and the benefits of taking part.

• To highlight the development of creative thinking skills as a School Self Evaluation priority area 

• Leadership of the promotion of creativity 

• To examine how both the physical and cultural environment can influence creativity in a school 

• Can creativity be assessed, and can you assess creatively? 

• To familiarise yourself with the Creative Schools programme