Curriculum Matters: NEPI Meeting 2

On 28th November we hosted the second meeting of North East Primary Innovators (NEPI) at Cragside Primary School.  It was wonderful to have all of the NEPI schools back in the room again. The focus of the day was Curriculum Matters. 

Mick Waters visits NEPI and Cragside Primary School

We were very pleased that Mick Waters was able to join us for the NEPI day 2 at Cragside.  A former head teacher, Mick Waters works closely with teachers and leaders in schools, MATs and local authorities to support the development of teaching approaches and curriculum to ensure the best learning outcomes for children. For some years, he was Director of Curriculum for England, based at the Qualification and Curriculum Authority (QCA), and before that held the post of Chief Education Officer for the City of Manchester. He also continues to be invited to work at a policy level with government in different parts of the world.

Curriculum Matters: A Walk around Cragside

Mick and visitors from all of the NEPI schools started their day at Cragside with two learning walks, during which participants from the network visited classrooms to see the curriculum in action and how children engage with their learning. Participants were invited to reflect on what they had seen and think about their own school contexts.

Sharing Curriculum Stories

Later in the day, Miss Jackson, Miss Howells and Mrs. Hall talked about the Cragside curriculum and how both Rethinking Curriculum and the Creativity Collaboratives pilot impacted on the way in which we think about curriculum design. 

Mick led further discussion around the fabric of school leadership, considering environment, experiences and people and the implications of pedagogic and curriculum intention. Members of the group reflected on how we ensure that we allow children the time to be “lost in thought” and provide children with meaningful, deep learning experiences.  It was certainly a nourishing and inspiring day!