This book is about a unique school. It is a school that, despite the increasing pressure put upon it by changes in the curriculum and the organisation of education, has managed to successfully maintain the creative values that have won it international and governmental recognition. Written for teachers and headteachers who want to encourage creativity in their schools and classrooms, the book describes: the school's culture of holism its use and appreciation of its grounds and environment for learning its innovative approaches to curriculum organisation its appropriation of national initiatives such as the literacy and numeracy hours its creative teaching and learning through the eyes of observers, teachers, children and parents. The success of Coombes School shows that it is possible to combine externally imposed prescription with a set of personal beliefs and values - making a real difference to the quality of teaching and learning. This is a truly inspirational read.

Leading a Creative School argues that school leaders are central in any change process, and offers suggestions and models of practice for a whole school change towards creative practice.

A revolutionary reappraisal of how to educate our children and young people by Ken Robinson, the New York Times bestselling author of The Element and Finding Your Element. Ken Robinson is one of the world’s most influential voices in education, and his 2006 TED Talk on the subject is the most viewed in the organization’s history. Now, the internationally recognized leader on creativity and human potential focuses on one of the most critical issues of our time: how to transform the nation’s troubled educational system. At a time when standardized testing businesses are raking in huge profits, when many schools are struggling, and students and educators everywhere are suffering under the strain, Robinson points the way forward. He argues for an end to our outmoded industrial educational system and proposes a highly personalized, organic approach that draws on today’s unprecedented technological and professional resources to engage all students, develop their love of learning, and enable them to face the real challenges of the twenty-first century. Filled with anecdotes, observations and recommendations from professionals on the front line of transformative education, case histories, and groundbreaking research—and written with Robinson’s trademark wit and engaging style—Creative Schools will inspire teachers, parents, and policy makers alike to rethink the real nature and purpose of education.

"The Creative School Class", tells the story of a contest to find the most creative class in the school. But the idea was not to excel individually in arts or crafts, as is the usual understanding of creativity in children. We were asked to find an idea that would be socially beneficial. Then, we had to implement our idea through cooperation. Through this experience, we learned about the environment and recycling, but also about consensus, commitment and engagement, solution finding, collaboration, and creative thinking. If this sounds familiar, it is because these values are crucial to modern entrepreneurship, since they help us adapt to an ever-changing environment. We learned to look at things from outside the box and to find solutions accordingly. Sharing our story with your children, you can teach them to do the same and take advantage of life's opportunities.

Introducing creativity to the classroom is a concern for teachers, governments and future employers around the world, and there has been a drive to make experiences at school more exciting, relevant, challenging and dynamic for all young people, ensuring they leave education able to contribute to the global creative economy. Leading a Creative School shows that school leaders are central in any change process, and offers suggestions and models of practice for a whole school change towards creative practice. Providing an accessible overview of key issues and debates surrounding different methods of creative change, practical activities, and stimulus material for to help teachers, this book will explain how to: reflect on why change is important for your school motivate your teaching staff; create the conditions for a whole school change; develop practical strategies to make changes long lasting; and assess and monitor changes taking place. Providing case studies and examples of school change from leading practitioners throughout, this book is an invaluable guide for all those involved in school leadership, management and change.

Engaging students in artmaking, Lily Yeh transforms a derelict Beijing factory into a vibrant beautiful school for migrant workers' children.

This book examines how Massachusetts Normal Art School became the alma mater par excellence for generations of art educators, designers, and artists. The founding myth of American art education is the story of Walter Smith, the school’s first principal. This historical case study argues that Smith’s students formed the professional network to disperse art education across the United States, establishing college art departments and supervising school art for industrial cities. As administrative progressives they created institutions and set norms for the growing field of art education. Nineteenth-century artists argued that anyone could learn to draw; by the 1920s, every child was an artist whose creativity waited to be awakened. Arguments for systematic art instruction under careful direction gave way to charismatic artist-teachers who sought to release artistic spirits. The task for art education had been redefined in terms of living the good life within a consumer culture of work and leisure.