Tuesday 7th December 2010 - Published by Kelly Jackson - Communications Executive
Teachers instigate ‘Curriculum Collapse Week’
Teachers at a school in Berkshire ‘collapsed’ the normal curriculum for one week in November, introducing a new and exciting approach to learning.
The idea for ‘Curriculum Collapse Week’ was developed and implemented by the teaching staff at Long Close School, in Slough, who were inspired by comments made by OFSTED, following a successful inspection last May.
During this unique week of teaching, a thematic approach was adopted, with Key Stage 1 pupils devoting the week to ‘Space’ and Key Stage 2 studying ‘The Renaissance’. Activities during the week were planned to enable pupils to demonstrate their gifts and talents through being challenged, enriched and inspired by a plethora of new ideas and activities.
The school was transformed into a creative space for the week, with pupils conducting experiments, performing Shakespeare, erecting a planetarium in the school hall, and even buying and selling Renaissance paintings for Monopoly money.
The week ended with a rocket being launched from the playground and over sixty pupils doing the countdown. Afterwards, Mrs Sarah Sheridan, Head of the Prep School led a performance assembly for parents of the pupils where all year groups talked about their experiences during the week and gave performances, including music, drama and dance.
One parent said: “My son has really enjoyed this week at school. I have to express to you his enthusiasm for school this week and after reading his story today in class, I was frankly amazed at his imagination! It is a real joy to see children so interested and eager for knowledge. Truly inspiring teaching!”
David Brazier, Head Teacher of Long Close School spoke of the effect on the teaching staff:
“The energy, enthusiasm and exuberance that this week has generated has been astronomical. To be freed of the constraints of curriculum planning has ignited something in the teachers, or perhaps a better understanding would be ‘re-ignited’ those values and desires that made them become teachers in the first place.”
The experience has been so positive that future collapse weeks are already in the pipeline, and themes currently being discussed include Sherlock Holmes and the art of deduction, or the Greek Tradition.
