Partnership aims to improve pupil prospects
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Castlehead HS pupil Rowan Kinnear, 14, from Paisley; Castlehead HS Headteacher Martin Macdonald; Castlehead HS pupil Adam McGowan, 14, from Paisley; Professor Tom Inns, Director of the GSA |
Scotland’s first high school to use
creative teaching methods across the general curriculum to improve pupil
prospects is to be established in Paisley through a unique partnership between The
Glasgow School of Art (the GSA) and Renfrewshire Council.
creative teaching methods across the general curriculum to improve pupil
prospects is to be established in Paisley through a unique partnership between The
Glasgow School of Art (the GSA) and Renfrewshire Council.
The exciting collaboration between
the world-leading GSA and the town’s Castlehead High School aims to apply the
learning and teaching models of creative education across all subjects, raising
attainment and improving pupil prospects and ambitions.
the world-leading GSA and the town’s Castlehead High School aims to apply the
learning and teaching models of creative education across all subjects, raising
attainment and improving pupil prospects and ambitions.
By applying a studio-based,
practice-led teaching model, pupils will be encouraged to develop confidence,
team-work, problem solving and critical thinking across all subjects.
practice-led teaching model, pupils will be encouraged to develop confidence,
team-work, problem solving and critical thinking across all subjects.
The initiative to support the
wider curriculum places the GSA and Renfrewshire at the forefront of creative educational
development in the UK.
wider curriculum places the GSA and Renfrewshire at the forefront of creative educational
development in the UK.
Following discussions over
recent months, the GSA and Renfrewshire Council has now signed a memorandum of
understanding to further develop the partnership’s ambitious aims.
recent months, the GSA and Renfrewshire Council has now signed a memorandum of
understanding to further develop the partnership’s ambitious aims.
The collaboration also includes
plans for the GSA to explore the development of educational degree programmes, linking
into the creative curriculum in place at Castlehead.
plans for the GSA to explore the development of educational degree programmes, linking
into the creative curriculum in place at Castlehead.
“Today marks the beginning of an
exciting journey,” says Professor Tom Inns, Director of The Glasgow School of
Art. “The GSA is looking forward to working in partnership with staff at
Castlehead School to apply our studio-based teaching and learning techniques
across a broad range of disciplines to help increase attainment and create confident,
innovative pupils with the skills to thrive both in the world of work and in
broader society.”
exciting journey,” says Professor Tom Inns, Director of The Glasgow School of
Art. “The GSA is looking forward to working in partnership with staff at
Castlehead School to apply our studio-based teaching and learning techniques
across a broad range of disciplines to help increase attainment and create confident,
innovative pupils with the skills to thrive both in the world of work and in
broader society.”
“The value of learning through creativity
cannot be underestimated,” adds Professor Inns. “It is important that the GSA,
as Scotland’s national higher education institution for the visual creative
disciplines, works collaboratively with partners in local government and
schools to empower our young people through creativity and culture to improve
both their opportunities and quality of life now and in the future.”
cannot be underestimated,” adds Professor Inns. “It is important that the GSA,
as Scotland’s national higher education institution for the visual creative
disciplines, works collaboratively with partners in local government and
schools to empower our young people through creativity and culture to improve
both their opportunities and quality of life now and in the future.”
Renfrewshire Council Leader Iain
Nicolson, said: “We want all children and young people in Renfrewshire to have
the opportunity to achieve their ambitions, regardless of their background.
Nicolson, said: “We want all children and young people in Renfrewshire to have
the opportunity to achieve their ambitions, regardless of their background.
“Creative learning expands the
mind and builds confidence, and I’m delighted that the world-renowned Glasgow
School of Art has chosen Paisley and Renfrewshire to develop this special
centre of excellence.
mind and builds confidence, and I’m delighted that the world-renowned Glasgow
School of Art has chosen Paisley and Renfrewshire to develop this special
centre of excellence.
“Regardless of what a pupil
wants to do when they leave school, this unique collaboration will develop a
love of learning and assist them to develop problem-solving and critical
thinking skills which can be applied across all educational subjects.”
wants to do when they leave school, this unique collaboration will develop a
love of learning and assist them to develop problem-solving and critical
thinking skills which can be applied across all educational subjects.”
Paisley is in the final five
places shortlisted for UK City of Culture 2021, its bid centred on the
cultural-led regeneration of the town.
places shortlisted for UK City of Culture 2021, its bid centred on the
cultural-led regeneration of the town.
Paisley 2021 bid Director Jean
Cameron said: “I am thrilled at news of this wonderful collaboration with the
world-renowned Glasgow School of Art. Culture changes people’s lives, opening
up opportunities and developing knowledge and skills which stand us all in good
stead to achieve our ambitions in life.
Cameron said: “I am thrilled at news of this wonderful collaboration with the
world-renowned Glasgow School of Art. Culture changes people’s lives, opening
up opportunities and developing knowledge and skills which stand us all in good
stead to achieve our ambitions in life.
“Paisley is rightly proud of the
incredible creative talents and techniques it has given the world, not least
weaving the Paisley pattern into so many people’s lives and I am excited at the
potential of this new partnership, not just for Paisley pupils, but as a model
we can all learn from, which could be adopted in schools across the UK.”
incredible creative talents and techniques it has given the world, not least
weaving the Paisley pattern into so many people’s lives and I am excited at the
potential of this new partnership, not just for Paisley pupils, but as a model
we can all learn from, which could be adopted in schools across the UK.”
Ends
David Christie, Senior Communications Officer, Renfrewshire Council
0141 618 4498
For further information on The Glasgow School of Art contact:
Lesley Booth, 07799414474 / press@gsa.ac.uk
Notes for Editors:
Castlehead High School is
located in Paisley and serves the areas of central Paisley, Elderslie,
Ferguslie Park and Hunterhill. It is a designated Scottish FA School of
Football and successfully piloted the Parents in Partnership programme, now
delivered in all Renfrewshire schools which sees parents attend school each
week, their increased engagement with the school supporting improvement in
their child’s attainment and closing the poverty related attainment gap.
located in Paisley and serves the areas of central Paisley, Elderslie,
Ferguslie Park and Hunterhill. It is a designated Scottish FA School of
Football and successfully piloted the Parents in Partnership programme, now
delivered in all Renfrewshire schools which sees parents attend school each
week, their increased engagement with the school supporting improvement in
their child’s attainment and closing the poverty related attainment gap.
About The Glasgow School of Art
The Glasgow School of Art (GSA)
was founded in 1845 as one of the first Government Schools of Design, as a
centre of creativity promoting good design for the manufacturing industries of
Glasgow. However, the School’s lineage can be traced to 1753 when Robert
Foulis established a school of art and design in Glasgow, which was described
as the single most influential factor in the development of eighteenth-century
Scottish Art. Today, The GSA is internationally recognised as one of Europe’s
leading university-level institutions for the visual creative disciplines. Our
studio-based approach to research and teaching brings disciplines together to
explore problems in new ways to find innovative solutions. The studio creates
the environment for inter-disciplinary working, peer learning, critical
inquiry, experimentation and prototyping, helping to addressing many of the
great challenges confronting society and contemporary business.
was founded in 1845 as one of the first Government Schools of Design, as a
centre of creativity promoting good design for the manufacturing industries of
Glasgow. However, the School’s lineage can be traced to 1753 when Robert
Foulis established a school of art and design in Glasgow, which was described
as the single most influential factor in the development of eighteenth-century
Scottish Art. Today, The GSA is internationally recognised as one of Europe’s
leading university-level institutions for the visual creative disciplines. Our
studio-based approach to research and teaching brings disciplines together to
explore problems in new ways to find innovative solutions. The studio creates
the environment for inter-disciplinary working, peer learning, critical
inquiry, experimentation and prototyping, helping to addressing many of the
great challenges confronting society and contemporary business.
About Renfrewshire and education
Renfrewshire is home to 176,000
people, with a rich history, strong resilient communities and great economic
potential. The Council has just set out a five-year plan to transform the
area’s future, focused on making Renfrewshire an attractive place to live,
work, visit and invest in. More than 27,000 children are educated across 11
secondary and 49 primary schools. Renfrewshire is ambitious for our pupils and
want all young people to reach their full potential regardless of their
background. Renfrewshire is one of nine local authorities in the Attainment
Challenge and through the Pupil Equity Fund are addressing the poverty-related
impacts on attainment. Successful initiatives include the Renfrewshire Literacy
Approach, supporting the professional development of teachers to develop a love
of reading in all pupils. www.renfrewshire.gov.uk
people, with a rich history, strong resilient communities and great economic
potential. The Council has just set out a five-year plan to transform the
area’s future, focused on making Renfrewshire an attractive place to live,
work, visit and invest in. More than 27,000 children are educated across 11
secondary and 49 primary schools. Renfrewshire is ambitious for our pupils and
want all young people to reach their full potential regardless of their
background. Renfrewshire is one of nine local authorities in the Attainment
Challenge and through the Pupil Equity Fund are addressing the poverty-related
impacts on attainment. Successful initiatives include the Renfrewshire Literacy
Approach, supporting the professional development of teachers to develop a love
of reading in all pupils. www.renfrewshire.gov.uk
About Paisley 2021
Paisley is the only Scottish
representative on the five-place shortlist to be named UK City of Culture 2021.
The competition is run by the UK Government’s Department of Digital, Culture,
Media and Sport and the winner will be announced at the end of the year.
representative on the five-place shortlist to be named UK City of Culture 2021.
The competition is run by the UK Government’s Department of Digital, Culture,
Media and Sport and the winner will be announced at the end of the year.
Paisley’s bid aims to use the
town’s unique and fascinating story to transform its future—by putting the town
in the international spotlight, attracting visitors, creating jobs and using
culture to make people’s lives better. The one-time global textile hub and
birthplace of the Paisley Pattern is also home to stunning architecture, an
internationally-significant museum collection, Glasgow Airport, University of
the West of Scotland, West College Scotland, PACE Theatre Company and a
thriving contemporary cultural scene.
town’s unique and fascinating story to transform its future—by putting the town
in the international spotlight, attracting visitors, creating jobs and using
culture to make people’s lives better. The one-time global textile hub and
birthplace of the Paisley Pattern is also home to stunning architecture, an
internationally-significant museum collection, Glasgow Airport, University of
the West of Scotland, West College Scotland, PACE Theatre Company and a
thriving contemporary cultural scene.