Summer 2009 - Welcome to Knowsley.gov.uk | Knowsley Council · 2012-04-18 · The Big Write is an enjoyable task in addition itÕs an exhilarating challenge. Here at St AlbertÕs

Summer 2009

Year 5 pupils take control of this veryspecial edition of Reach for Success

Making Headlines: St Columba’s SchoolYoung Journalists Katie, Abbie, Sean and Ben

by St Columba’s Young Journalists Abbie & Katie

In 2005 the North Huyton Learning Collaborative (NHLC)secured funding from North Huyton New Deal for Communities(NDC) to narrow the gap in educational achievement for localchildren and young people.

The NHLC is a partnership of local schools, the community, keyagencies and external partners who work together to achievethe best for all children, young people and their families.

To achieve our aims we don’t just address what happens inour schools. Many other factors have an impact oneducational achievement and so our work assists familiesand the wider community.

At St Columba’s School, our nursery and receptionchildren have been Leaping into Language. Sessions

start with listening skills, then children talk about thewords they have just learnt, after which they play

educational games, before ending with some rhymes.

We interviewed children, who said, “Leaping into Language isreally fun and it’s fun to learn new words.” Another child told us

about their trip to Underwater Street, saying it was a veryadventurous and fun experience they would like to try again.

Leaping into Language gives children a chance to focus on theirlanguage skills in a small group in a quiet and friendly environment.

The children love Leaping into Language and all of the trips outoffer them a chance to learn more. They are looking forwardto carrying on this project and discovering what happens next!

by St Columba’s Young Journalists Abbie & KatieFor this special edition of Reach for Success magazine,we’ve handed control to groups of Year 5 pupils fromNorth Huyton Learning Collaborative primary schools.

Four pupils from each primary school were invitedto a Young Journalists Workshop hosted byKnowsley design agency Acme Art, who produceReach for Success magazine.

Pupils discovered tricks of the trade including howto create eye-catching photographs and attention-grabbing headlines.

After the event, NHLC and Acme Art staffsupported each group as they developed theirstories. The end result is this magazine - afitting tribute to the dedication and hard workof the young journalists of North Huyton! ■

collaboration 21st century learningattainment & achievement

Olivia Ava Paul Samantha

St Albert’s School

Katie Rhys Maia Stephen

St Aloysius School

Kailum Lauren Josh Abbie Lewis

Brookside School

Stephen Elesha Thomas Natalie

St Brigid’s School

Taylor E’Isle Chloe Andrew

Longview School

Sean Katie Ben Abbie

St Columba’s School

Hannah Rachel Lauren Jon

Nine Tree School

Taylor Adam Anthony

St Dominic’s School

Lauren Leah Thomas Lewis

Park View School

meetthe

youngjournalists


We are year 5 pupils at St Columba’s School and theNHLC has given us a Special Assignment!

The assignment is based on attendance and punctuality.We asked our Headmaster, Mr Dunne, why attendance isso important. He replied, “Every day in school you learnsomething new, so if you miss a day then you’ll have towork twice as hard to catch up with your work.”

“We’ve come up with a reward system to helpattendance,” he continued. “If you get to school on timeand are in for a whole week, you get a ticket. At the endof the school term we pull out a ticket from a hat andthe winning ticket gets the chance to win a bike!”(Mr Dunne thinks giving away bikes is wheely good!)

We think that our school is a really cool place tolearn. We have learnt a lot by taking part in theYoung Journalist Workshop and hope we can takepart in it next year. We hope we have brought a goodmessage back to the pupils of our school and to manyothers and hope it continues throughout the years.

Attendance is cool so stay in school!! Otherwiseyou might not get the job you wanted!

by St Columba’s Young Journalists Abbie, Ben, Katie & Sean

We spoke to some Year 3 pupilsabout the brilliant author

and St Columba’s Writerin Residence Bill Dawsonand some of the excitingwork he has been doing.

All pupils were full of praisefor Bill, “He told us about the

ancient Romans and boosted ourwriting skills and we searched onthe internet for useful information.”

Bill said he would love to come backto this amazing school.

by St Columba’s Young Journalists Ben & Sean

”“Bill is very funny but crazy. I wrote a

diary pretending I was a Roman soldier.

He sang a song called War, it wasboss. He boosted my confidence a lot.

”Go to bed early - maybe 7pm or

8pm - and wake up at 7am or 8am.Eat a healthy breakfast and lunch!

Mr Murphy, St Columba’s School“

Attending schooleach day means youcan make lastingfriendships. If you’reabsent from schoola lot of the time,friendships can bedifficult to keep up.

Katie & Abbie, Year 5St Columba’s School

Christ the King Centre forLearning is holding anOpen Evening for parentsof primary pupils movingto Year 5 next term from4pm to 7pm on Thursday17 September.For further informationcall (0151) 477 8800. ■

Come visit Christ the King


To celebrate the recentsuccess of their FamilyCookery and Speakeasyworkshops, LongviewSchool parents, carersand their children wereinvited to an event atthe WildflowerCentre where

they had fun using everyday objects tocreate shields and fairy wings whilstdiscovering the benefits of recycling. ■

Longview’s fairytale

Brookside Nurseryand Reception pupilsbecame fire fightersfor the afternoon aspart of their PeopleWho Help Us IPC topic.Fire fighters from OldSwan Station set up theirengine in the playground

to give children an insight into their work. ■

The Big Write is an enjoyable task in addition it’s an exhilaratingchallenge. Here at St Albert’s School we use VCOP - Vocabulary,Connectives, Openers and Punctuation! The Big Write is for helpingchildren improve their writing and confidence.

Every Friday, all classes take part in the Big Write with candles and relaxingmusic to create a calm inspirational atmosphere. You learn something newevery week. You do many different genres from science fiction to war poems.

Year 5 pupils told us their perspective, “I like the Big Write it is cool! It is veryinteresting and I have improved a lot” Other pupils said, “I love the Big WriteI would recommend it to lots of the schools” and “It’s my favourite lesson, it iselectrifying!” The children said the Big Write would be good all over the world!

St Albert’s Year 5 Teacher, Miss Whittle told us, “I love planning the Big Writebecause of the children’s inspiration for their writing. I do like reading thechildren’s fantastic work in particular. The children have been setting theirown targets and achieving them.” Miss Edwards said, “I love watching thechildren doing the Big Write, I’m so proud of the work they produce.”

The Big Write is an engrossing lesson for pupils all over North Huyton!

by St Albert’s Young JournalistsAva, Olivia, Paul & Samantha

Brookside’s Fire Fighters

Come along and enjoya wealth of activities atChrist the King Centrefor Learning! Fromsports including netball,tennis, football, kickzand keep fit to funsessions on dance,reiki, aromatherapy,

parenting skills and lots more, there is somethingfor everyone at Christ the King!

To find out more and get involved call (0151) 4434687 or email [email protected] ■

Take your pick at CtK

Watch out for the nextround of FamiliesLearning Active Playsessions starting up inSeptember at St Aloysiusand Park View schools.Take the chance to try outall sorts of play equipmentand get ideas for funactivities to do with the whole family in the park!Contact the Parent Mentors to find out more. ■

Year 5 pupils at LongviewSchool have enjoyed freestyle poetry with awardwinning author TerryCaffrey. His energeticsessions concentrate onrhythm and style. “If youkeep your ideas in yourpen too long theyescape,” he explained. “Just write, let the ideasflow, and look at your spelling later.” ■

Longview goes freestyle

...so is Park View and St Aloysius!

Families Learning ActivePlay is an innovativenew project at StAlbert’s School whichgets parents and theirchildren exploring lotsof different activities topromote long-termhealthy living throughexercise. “It’s been really enjoyable,” commentedparent Elizabeth Ojuromi. “More than anything it’staught my youngest son the value of sharing.” ■

St Albert’s in a FLAP...

Children and teachers at Nine Tree School were thrilled to talk aboutthe Big Write! As Nine Tree’s Year 5 Young Journalists, weinterviewed Miss Smith and two Year 6 pupils.

When asked, Miss Smith enthusiastically explained, “I thoroughly enjoy theBig Write. It gives children the opportunity to develop their imagination andcreativity in a productive manner.”

We discovered that her favourite Big Write piece is a short clip called TheArrival. She claimed, “It’s a great stimulus that allows

pupils to produce emotive writing.”

by Nine Tree Young JournalistsHannah, Jon, Lauren & Rachel


At Christ the King,acclaimed poet LeviTafari impressed Year 8with his accessible andmeaningful prose style.Talking about his lifeenables Levi to createpoetry with meaningfor young people. “He’sboss,” said student James Gildea. “I’d rather sitand listen to his poetry than read any book!” ■

Levi wows CtK

Pupil Beth Flexen describedthe Big Write as a creativeand fun way to spark herimagination. She alsofound the peace and quiethelped her concentrate.

We also interviewed Chloe Buckand she would like to be in a roomduring the Big Write with candles and lowmusic. She said, “The Big Write encouragesmore people in school to write.” She wasalso very fond of the A4 pads they write in.

Overall the Big Write has been very popular and successfulwith the pupils and teachers of Nine Tree School!


Year 5 Journalists from ParkView met the youngestmembers of the school andfound out that Leaping intoLanguage is a great opportunity andfun way in which nursery andreception children can develop theirspeech and language, through funand adventurous activities.

There is a mixture of stories, songs and games which allfocus on the topic being taught.

When the children were studying a topic on food they went to asupermarket to buy fruit to make smoothies. Their next trip wasto a restaurant where they got to choose something delicious toeat, later they discussed whether it was healthy or not.

It you were to visit the nursery and reception children on aMonday, Wednesday or Thursday afternoon you would seethese children leaping into language, it takes place three times aweek. Nursery and reception go into the rainbow room, read astory then discuss the story whether they enjoyed it or not.

Before very long, they sing songs such as Down in the jungle andI am a Greedy Crocodile and play games like I am a greedygorilla! This all relates to their jungle topic. Through funactivities and adventurous activities they learn how to speakmore confidently. The next topic is still to be revealed!

by Park View Young JournalistsLauren, Leah, Lewis & Thomas

Every Friday morning at 9 o’clock Park View pupils enjoy doing The Big Write. The childrenbecome confident in their work and it also helps them to work independently.

Our Park View journalists discovered that pupils spend 45 minutes to extend their vocabulary and developsentence structure using Vocabulary, Connectives, Openers and Punctuation (VCOP). Another idea is to useor borrow other words and phrases from other authors, known as the WOW words. This helps improve theirwork and make the children more relaxed and focused.

During The Big Write teachers give out candles and allow freedom for children to usepens. The lights are lowered and the children have a further 45 minutes of silence todo their very best work to their very best standard. The Big Write gives a chance forthe children to be creative and imaginative, and following discussion they then knowwhat they need to do next to improve their work. A Year 5 pupil said, “It lets yourimagination run and it is an inspiration for future writing!”

Mrs Savage teaches The Big Write and provides the children with opportunities toimprove their writing. Without her help we wouldn’t have all our literacy skills. MissGrant thinks it is imaginative and feels it is going very well for the children in her classand went on to say, “The children love The Big Write and enjoy doing it.” Anotherteacher added, “They just have a go and understand that nothing they do is wrong.”

It is clear that children really enjoy taking part in the Big Write and have gained moreskills to use in literacy and other subjects. The Big Write is a BIG success.

by Park View Young Journalists Lauren, Leah, Lewis & Thomas

“What we learn inthe week is like ajigsaw puzzlewhich fits togetherin the Big Write.

Year 5 pupil

Working together for several months, some are saying, “Bill is the best storywriter St. Dominic’s have ever had!” Bill stated, “I loved working at St.Dominic’s. I enjoyed working with children with such creative minds.”

The programme was developed by NHLC and their Head Teachers.Programme Director Debbie McArdle below explained, “We wanted to getchildren writing creatively and independently in a fun way. Bill is fantastic,he has written episodes for television programmes such as theBill and Brookside as well as his published books.”

The St. Dominic’s Young Journalists discussed how Bill was great fun towork with. Listening to him story telling his own work and teaching thechildren “if you do something wrong do not give up keep on going” and“sometimes it is good to get stuck with your work.”

He was truly amazing and everybody loved him. He has inspired thechildren at St. Dominic’s to give an extra push in their work and theyare still working as hard as ever!

by St Dominic’s Young Journalists Adam, Anthony & Taylor


Year 5 Young Journalists at StDominic’s followed up a recent

visit from a special guest writer. BillDawson, NHLC Writer in Residence,

helped pupils to write stories includingShosho the Panda, Bernard the Saint

Bernard, Booker and Junga’s Adventure. Hehas stimulated lots of imagination andcreativity in the children.

see this story - and lots more - atwww.northhuytonlc.co.uk

Longview’s Young Journalists talked to Year 6 pupilsfrom our school who took part in Maths Number Funat Christ the King Centre for Learning.

Pupils learnt songs with actions, amusing songs aboutangles, triangles and times tables. They were kindly givena Number Fun book and CD by the NHLC to use backat school. So next time you are around LongviewSchool listen out for Maths Number Fun.


Earlier this year at Longview, Year 4 and5 pupils worked with Mr Peter Hughesthe Teacher from Industry scientist.

Year 5 children had great fun using forcemetres and parachutes, doing experiments,

investigating gravity.

Children agreed that they alwayswill remember Mr Hughes by hisfunny dickie bow.

Two Year 4 pupils said, “Mr Hugheswas good at teaching and madelearning fun.” and “I enjoyed makingcircuits and playing the brain game.”

by Longview Young JournalistsAndrew, Chloe, E’Isle & Taylor

”Science lessons provided by Teachers

from Industry benefit both childrenand teachers. Everything required for

the lesson was brought along by MrHughes. Teachers can enjoy the

experience alongside the children.Mrs Price, Year 5 Teacher

“I think it was abrilliant ideabecause thechildren seemed tolike the songs andthey learnt a lot!

Miss Taylor,Year 6 Teacher


Year 5 and 6 pupils atNine Tree School spent aweekend at Kingswood inNorth Wales. All of theactivities there test mentaland physical agility - staffand children alike returnedhome tired but happy forthe experience. ■

Pupils, parents, carersand staff from St AloysiusSchool braved the rain totake part in a sponsoredwalk to make childrenaware of road safetyand raise money for thefamilies of road trafficaccident victims. ■

St Aloysius’ Walkabout

Nine Tree’s Great Outdoors

Brookside School hascelebrated 40 years ofsuccess with a fantasticstreet party. Governors,staff and pupils alldressed as hippies tomark this very specialday. Happy birthdayBrookside! ■

Looking good for their age!

Knowsley children arelearning about support,acceptance and friend-ship thanks to Arriving& Belonging, a newbook which tells thereal-life story of formerSt Albert’s pupils Tobyand Robyn. ■

St Albert’s leads by example

The investment andhard work of Park ViewSchool staff and pupilshas been rewardedwith an Arts Mark GoldAward in recognition oftheir many achieve-ments in dance, drama,music and art. ■

Park View’s Gold Standard

The sessions took place over halfterm and every Saturday for severalweeks. The NHLC organised theevent and put together fun activitiessuch as 21st century Shakespeare,drama workshops and rapping withprofessional rap artists. Pupils also,had the opportunity to work withWriter in Residence, Alison Down.

Longview Young Journalists also looked at how ourschool is thinking of clever ways to improve attendance.

These include certificates for the children who have not beenoff for one single day each term, a Friday Merit Assemblywhere attendance percentage figures are read out for eachclass and the winning class gets a trophy and certificate.Recently the winners get to sit on the benches the followingweek in assembly. Also the children get to play dodge ball witha fully trained coach on the Friday.

Another idea is a raffle called the 5 by 5. The children get araffle ticket if they have been in all week and on time everyday.

by Longview Young Journalists Andrew, Chloe, E’Isle & Taylor

Two pupils who attended thesessions thought they were “decent”because they “didn’t have to work”(even though they were secretlylearning!) Let’s hope that all thechildren who attended SAT NAVachieve great SATs results!

Some of Longview’s Year 6 children went to Christ the King Centrefor Learning for booster classes in Maths and Literacy. The aimwas to help them with their SATs work.

”It was great for the children to

learn whilst having fun.

Mrs McCulloch, Longview School

All the children from Year 6 went to a Number Fun Activity Dayto help them with their Numeracy. It was held at Christ the KingCentre for Learning and was organised by the NHLC. Theylearnt about Numeracy through songs, acting and having lotsof fun. The children felt confident after going to Number Funand learning all about shapes and angles. It was different fromschool work because it was more exciting! The teachers likedit because the children are still singing the songs now,especially the triangle song.

The children thought it was worth while because it helped themwith their SATs and they said, “the number fun was fantastic andwe would recommend it to any child or teacher.” They rated it10 out of 10 and said they would definitely go back again.

Four pupils were also invited to a SAT NAV programme toprepare them for SATs which covered Numeracy and Literacy.It ran for 8 weeks and during half-term, they got involved in afantastic range of activities including role play, dancing andrapping which they thoroughly enjoyed and said that it was agreat help when they had their SATs exams.

St Aloysius Young Journalists are proud to report pupils andstaff at our school absolutely love the International PrimaryCurriculum (IPC) because it is a fun and exciting way to learn.

It covers many subjects including Science, History and Geographyin one big topic. The pupils say that the entry and exit points arereally exciting and include going on trips, making things and using

computers which helps them learn betterand work harder.

Our last topic was called Mission toMars. At our entry point we had to build a

waterproof shelter out of recycled materials and inorder to survive we had to make

our own food of bread and flapjacks.Doing IPC makes us more confident with

our work and we can do our ownindependent research. It’s so much better

than just looking in a book!

Everyone in their class thinks that the IPC ismore fun, understandable and exciting

because they enjoy sharing their workand ideas with everyone in the room. Itmakes homework more interesting andparents join in too. Deputy Headteacher, Miss Wrigley said, “Oneparent even asked me when his son would get his next homework task,

he couldn’t wait as he had so much fun working with his son.”


by St Aloysius Young JournalistsKatie, Maia, Rhys & Stephen

see this story - and lots more - atwww.northhuytonlc.co.uk

Our school, St Brigid’s is pioneering in the CreativeCurriculum. To find out more we interviewed someteachers and pupils around the school...

What is the Creative Curriculum?

It is a fun way to learn. By mixing all our subjects intoone fun packed lesson, it gives children a chance to workand research on our own. It’s a way of expressingourselves. It’s an individual curriculum.

What sort of things have we been doing?

Year 5 and 6 have been looking at the environment thisterm. In groups, we have been trying to come up withthe best ways to recycle and save energy. We researchedworldwide stats on how much rubbish we throw awayeach year and we came up with questionnaires andmade charts on how much we recycle at home.

By using the data collected we came up with some ideason how to save the environment. We invented some ofour own recycling machines which we made and put touse, it was great!

by St Brigid’s Young Journalists Elesha, Natalie, Stephen & Thomas


At Brookside School our pupils were fortunateenough to take part in a fantastic science workshopabout forces. The workshop was run by Mr Hughesfrom Teachers from Industry.

During this workshop the children were able to take partin several scientific experiments. They discovered that ifthe two poles of a magnet were placed together theywould repel each other, however opposite poles wouldattract. The children learnt about the effects of gravity bydropping a ball from various heights and counting theamount of bounces in relation to the height of the drop.Their gravity experiments continued by hanging variousclassroom objects off a suspended piece of woodand measuring the drop using a force meter. Theyalso used a toy car rolled on different surfaces tomeasure the effects of friction.

Year 6 were full of compliments for Mr Hughessaying that they had an excellent time in his lessonand would love to work with him again in the future.

by Brookside Young Journalists Abbie, Josh, Kailum & Lauren

“I like IPC because youlearn new things and havefun at the same time.

Year 3 pupil

“I think it gives us a fun way for our pupils tolearn. Our topics have been really interesting. Imiss teaching about World War II. It was fantastic.

Mrs Baker, Year 3

What was the best part of the workshop? “I loved it all it was so exciting.”

What sort of things did you do?“Attaching wood to two chairs and hanging things on it.”

Anything else that was special?“When we got to use magnets to see which was the strongest.”


There is a new generationof gardeners at St Albert’sSchool where parentsand pupils have cometogether to create a newnature area. With helpfrom the Mersey ForestTeam, over fifty childrenplanted twelve large

Maple trees and dozens of vibrant flowers whichthe whole school will take turns to look after. ■

Green fingers at St Alberts

Parents and children atSt Aloysius School haveenjoyed InternationalWeek. After studyingdifferent cultures andcountries and tasting awide range of nationaldishes, pupils dressedfor Spanish Day when

professional Flamenco dancers were on hand toput them through their paces. ■

Viva St Aloysius!

Seven NHLC primaryschools have celebratedAfrican culture - fromcookery to music andmask making. The ParentMentor team worked hardto put together a series offun interactive events fortheir Year 5 pupils ■

All about Africa

Year 5 journalists passed on their knew-found know-how to some ofour North Huyton Parent Mentors. The Young journalists werekeen to find out more about their work.

Parent Mentors are key to strengthening crucial links between home andschool. They do this by providing a variety of opportunities to involveparents and carers in school life. Parent Mentors were delighted to take thisopportunity to share news of some of their successes this school year…

Brookside School Parent Mentor, Denise Gillon is delighted with the successof her schools recent Good Health in Early Years activities.

“The programme isabout safeguardinghealth and wellbeingthroughout life,” shesaid. “It’s importantthat children develophealthy habits as earlyin life as possible -appropriate weight gainin the first years of lifehelps to guard againstobesity in later life.”

Nine Tree School Year6 Best Class Ever leavein July and bid a veryfond farewell to ever-popular mascot HoneyBear. Over the yearspupils have assembledan international A-Z ofall the places Honey has

visited - his recent tour of Iraq with Allied troopswas followed by a trip to New York, and he hasmet celebrities including Craig Charles and CurtisStigers above. Is this the end of an era for NineTree’s Honey Bear? Watch this space! ■

End of an era for Honey?


To discover the opportunities available at yourchild’s school, contact your Parent Mentor!

Although there is a serious message, sessions are focused on fun.“We held quizzes and craft activities, as well as food preparation,”Denise explained. “There were plenty of opportunities to introducenew foods they may not have previously considered.”

Cookery has also proved asuccessful course at St AloysiusSchool. “We decided to increasechildrens and parents knowledgeof basic food growing,” explainedParent Mentor, Lesley Rotherham.“We held a workshop of vegetablegrowing to involve parents andchildren - and they loved it!”

The school is also making the mostof its green space by constructing araised garden. “A lot of greenfingered parents have come alongand helped us,” Lesley said. “We’veplanted flowers and herbs whichwe hope to use in our cookerysessions next year. This is anongoing project which will involvethe whole school and we’ll beplanting vegetables later this year.”

At Longview School parents and carers have accessed free NVQtraining through Train to Gain. With courses including Children’sLearning & Development and Business Administration, newopportunities are just around the corner for these hard workingparents. Longview parent Hayley Miller said, “I’ve just completedLevel 2 and I’m about to start Level 3. It’ll give me a better chanceto get back to work with having two young children in school.

Everyone involved is thoroughly enjoying the experience. “I reallyenjoy what I’m doing,” said Sarah Skillen. “Working with childrenis the most satisfying job I can imagine.”

Parents at St Columba’s School have also been studying hard -to help their children with homework. “The way Maths is taughthas changed enormously since we were at school,” explained

Parent Mentor Lorraine Evans. “Wediscovered that parents helpingtheir children with homeworkwere using completely differentmethods from the ones we use inschool - children were gettingpretty confused.”

“Originally the workshop was forYear 3 parents,” she continued,“but it proved so popular weextended the workshop to all yeargroups. The main aim was toincrease parents’ confidence inNumeracy so that they were ableto support their child withhomework. It gave the parents anideal opportunity to discuss anyconcerns or worries withoutfeeling self-conscious.”

There were plenty of helpfultips and advice to ensureparents would know how toapproach helping their child athome. “New vocabulary wasexplained too,” continuedLorraine. “That’s changed a lotand was a stumbling block insupporting their child at home -Maths isn’t even called Mathsanymore!”

“This is what being a ParentMentor is all about,” Lorraineconcluded. “We’re answering adirect need - giving our parentsthe skills they want to give themas much input as possible totheir child’s education.”

”I’ve really enjoyed working

towards my Level 3 childcarequalification and hope to

become a classroomassistant when I’ve finished.

Nicola Bradbury, Longview Parent

“I found the workshop reallyuseful. My son is in Year 5 andhas come home with numeracyhomework and I now feel I cansupport him confidentlythrough Year 6.Angela Roberts, St Columba’s Parent

Our Young Journalists discovered North Huytonreception and nursery classes are being transformed- by making them smaller. In many schools one largeclassroom is now divided into several spacesdesigned from a child's viewpoint.


North Huyton Learning Collaborative has given schools a uniqueopportunity to explore the innovative Communication FriendlySpaces programme. Looking at early years classrooms from achild’s perspective and redesigning them to better suit theirneeds, the project has generated incredible results.

“It’s not just about changing the space,” explained Park ViewReception Teacher, Emily Ladson. “It’s understanding why we’rechanging it. It’s about seeing things from a child’s perspective,creating their preferred style of learning, designing a simple andsecure space which our pupils feel secure in.”

The concept is simple - traditional classrooms, full of colour andobjects, are often overwhelming to nursery and receptionchildren. “We’ve redesigned our classrooms, got rid of years ofclutter and repositioned everything so it’s in the eyeline of a smallchild,” continued Emily. “What’s the point of a fantastic poster ifit’s positioned at an adult’s eye level?”

St Dominic’s School have taken the concept outside - devoting asmall corner of their playground to create a Magic Garden. Froma distance it doesn’t look very impressive - a small space with halfa dozen fruit trees, a bark covered floor and several tree stumps.But from the perspective of a four year old, entering through asmall gap in a hedge, it is a forest where anything might happen,a place of wonder and magic.

“It’s really inspired our youngerchildren,” commented ReceptionTeacher, Ann Thompson. “They interactwith each other so much more. Boys areparticularly engaged outdoors, it’s greatto see them create their own stories,letting their imagination run riot.”

“Imagination is key,” concluded JackieMoore, Park View Teaching Assistant,“and it’s so simple - a bed sheet over aclothes line can create a space which achild can take ownership of.”

“Some of the practices we’ve put inplace through Communication FriendlySpaces will make an enormousdifference not just today but throughouta child’s entire school life.”

For more information on any of these projectscontact the Collaborative team: (0151) 443 3998


KNOWSLEY LANE

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North Huyton Learning Collaborative

River Alt Resource Centre Woolfall Heath AvenueHuyton Merseyside L36 3YE

Tel: (0151) 443 3998Fax: (0151) 443 5874

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You can also get this information in other formats.Please phone Customer Services on 0151 443 4031,

or email [email protected]

Park View Primary

Twig Lane, Huyton,Merseyside L36 2LL

(0151) 477 8121

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Nine Tree Primary

Hollowcroft, StockbridgeVillage, Merseyside L28 4ED

(0151) 489 8044

St Brigid,s RC Primary

Waterpark Drive, StockbridgeVillage, Merseyside L32 7RE

(0151) 477 8150

St Dominic,s RC School

Southdean Road, Huyton,Merseyside L14 8UL

Infants: (0151) 477 8280Juniors: (0151) 477 8300

St Albert,s Catholic Primary

Steers Croft, StockbridgeVillage, Merseyside L28 8AJ

(0151) 477 8560

Brookside Community Primary

Cremorne Hey, StockbridgeVillage, Merseyside L28 3QA

(0151) 489 4906

Christ the King Centre for Learning

Stockbridge Lane, Huyton Merseyside L36 3SD

(0151) 477 8800

St Columba,s RC Primary

Hillside Road, Huyton,Merseyside L36 8BL

(0151) 477 8360

St Aloysius Catholic Primary

Twig Lane, Huyton,Merseyside L36 2LF

(0151) 477 8110

Longview Community Primary

Astley Road, Huyton,Merseyside L36 8DB

(0151) 477 8240

North HuytonLearning Collaborative

River Alt Resource Centre,Woolfall Heath Avenue L36 3YE

(0151) 443 3998

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Summer 2009 - Welcome to Knowsley.gov.uk | Knowsley Council · 2012-04-18 · The Big Write is an enjoyable task in addition itÕs an exhilarating challenge. Here at St AlbertÕs

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