Lynn Grove High School, after a successful bid, has become a Creative Partnerships CHANGE SCHOOL, working with Creative Partnerships and Norfolk and Norwich Festival over 3 years, starting in 2008/9.

Established in 2002, Creative Partnerships is the Government’s flagship creative learning programme, designed to develop the skills of young people across England, raising their aspirations and achievements and opening up more opportunities for their futures. This world-leading programme is transforming teaching and learning across the curriculum.

Arising from the priorities identified in the SDP and the SEF, we have planned and started delivering projects that develop and sustain independent learning at Lynn Grove. The school community (including staff, pupils, governors and the wider community) have and will continue to work together in piloting many initiatives so that all teaching and learning can be ultimately enhanced.

In addition to classroom intervention, a core group of pupils have been randomly identified to be the focus group of the project. This group is known as the S.K.I.L.L.S (Skills and Knowledge for Independent Learning at Lynn Grove School) group. To date they have taken part in a number of creative and exciting school-based, external and residential activities. In 2008/9, they worked with a wide range of practitioners, building their self esteem, confidence and skills to become more independent in their learning. Some of the activities included working with an internationally renowned sculptor in designing, planning and constructing a natural sculpture area and a mosiac of the school logo at the front entrance to the school, working with a famous local drama company, planning and acting out a Murder Mystery production and spending a weekend at Bidwell centre, in freezing temperatures, working on team building activities. To develop their public speaking skills, the team worked with a local prospective MP, practising public speaking techniques which they later used in delivering presentations and leading assemblies.

To show off the skills learned over the year and pride in their achievements, pupils planned and hosted a celebration event where their family, friends, staff, governors and all practitioners they worked with were invited as guests. They have also led a number of summer challenge activities and school assemblies where they highlighted the developments they made personally and as a team.

This year's plan include working with local community members in developing and sustaining a community garden, working with a nationally acclaimed local author in producing a prose or short story, working with a local sculptor in designing and constructing a garden sculpture using recycled materials and a multicultural sculpture park and working with design experts in designing a new seating area for pupils. The project also involves these practitioners working in classes encouraging creative thinking, problem solving and novel practices. The S.K.I.L.L.S team is looking forward to the year as they see the partnership we have with Creative Partnerships and Norfolk and Norwich Festival as exciting, fun and creatively challenging.