The Creative School: A Framework for Success, Quality and Effectiveness

158 Pages·2003·3.206 MB·English

by  Bob Jeffrey, Peter Woods

The Creative School
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 maintain the creative
values that have won it international and government 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 an inspirational read.
Bob Jeffrey was a primary school teacher for twenty years before
joining The Open University, where he is now a Research Fellow.
Peter Woods was formerly Professor of Education at The Open
University. He is currently Research Professor at the University
of Plymouth and has written extensively on creative practices in
primary schools.

The Creative School
A framework for success, quality
and effectiveness
Bob Jeffrey and Peter Woods
First published 2003 by RoutledgeFalmer
11 New Fetter Lane, London EC4P 4EE
Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada
by RoutledgeFalmer
29 West 35th Street, New York, NY 10001
This edition published in the Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2003.
RoutledgeFalmer is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group
© 2003 Bob Jeffrey and Peter Woods
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced
or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means,
now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording,
or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in
writing from the publishers.
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book has been requested
ISBN 0-203-43722-5 Master e-book ISBN
ISBN 0-203-45765-X (Adobe eReader Format)
ISBN 0–415–28215–2 (hbk)
ISBN 0–415–28214–4 (pbk)
To Sue Humphries,
Headteacher of Coombes 1971–2002
and to
The staff,parents,and pupils,past and present,and
to the numerous friends of this school.

Contents
Illustrations ix
Acknowledgements x
Introduction 1
1 The Coombes ethos 10
2 Learning through the environment: the creative
use of space 20
3 The politics of appropriation 48
4 Curriculum organisation and delivery 67
5 The learning experience 98
6 Coombes as a learning community 123
References 136
Author index 143
Subject index 145

Illustrations
Plates
1 Cooking together
2 Celebrating an annual event
3 Investigating forces
4 Literacy in the environment
5 Reality maths
6 Role-playing religious education
7 Co-participation
8 Reality history
Figures
1 Coombes teaching staff, 2001 4
2 The school grounds 22
3 A typical curriculum timetable 69