Using the Arts as a Tool for Cross Curricular Learning

The Education, Culture and Sport service within Highland Council works closely with a range of arts organisations to support schools to deliver a range of cross curricular opportunities within Curriculum for Excellence, with an emphasis on access and excellence.

A partnership approach to delivering education opportunities has been developed between Highland Council and Eden Court Theatre in Inverness. Through this partnership a range of on-going opportunities have been provided for schools including:

• Delivery of SQA course in Higher Dance, Higher Drama and Intermediate 2 Drama (young people take the courses at Eden Court rather than in school)
• A team of 8 FTE Drama Workers delivering drama classes in schools and after school sessions
• Delivery of CPD for teachers and school staff in Expressive Arts subjects

In addition to the core work the partnership has also developed targetted opportunities that provide cross curricular learning, examples of these include:

• Literacy Through Drama CPD. Using Drama as a tool to deliver outcomes and experiences within Literacy and English.
• Creating the "Inspiring Creativity" training course and resource pack for teachers to use dance to support and assist deliver other subject areas such as Literacy and English, Maths, Health and Well Being and Social Studies.
• Developing the 'Cyber Room' schools play and DVD resource (Winner of the Scottish Government's Internet Safety Competition 2010) about the importance of using the internet responsibly.
• Playwriting Residential for pupils to develop their creative writing skills, connecting Literacy and English with Expressive Arts.

The creation of the resources above will be detailed at the session and will be available for participants to take copies home.

The partnership between Highland Council and Eden Court enables over 60,000 participants to benefit from engaging in arts education opportunities in Highland.

What teachers have said:

Literacy Through Drama CPD: 'The course covered so much – Drama games, improvisation, mime – so the possibilities for literacy based work is now endless'

Inspiring Creativity: 'Super links to CfE - has increased my knowledge of dance linked to the wider curriculum'

Cyber Room: 'I thought the play was well written, well acted and put across the message powerfully and pointedly. It is a sensitive issue and I think all pupils should see it.'

The presentation will be given by Lynn Johnson, Arts Links Officer for Highland Council and Katyana Kozikowska, Arts Education Manager for Eden Court Theatre. The intention is to inform teachers about the projects listed above, provide copies of resources developed and to provide a forum for dialogue about ways in which the arts can support and enhance the delivery of other subject areas.

Lynn Johnson

The Arts Links Officer for Highland Council is responsible for leading on the development of the provision of arts opportunities for children and young people in the Highland Council area. Lynn Johnson has held the post for 4 years. Prior to that Lynn worked as and Arts and Community Development Officer for 3.5 years, supporting schools and community groups to gain access to the arts. Lynn has also worked as a Drama Tutor following completing her training.

Additional speaker: Katyana Kozikowska