Creating space for creativity in our Primary Schools

Derby Grammar School is putting the Arts centre stage of its teaching so that pupils can flourish across all subjects.

From music and drama to writing, drawing and outdoor learning, the school ensures time and attention is dedicated to exposing pupils to the vast opportunities and benefits the Arts bring.

Senior Teacher, Kayte Genders, said: "We know that there is a pressure on schools to prioritise maths and English, particularly at primary level, which can sometimes mean that the opportunity of the Arts to both support and complement those subjects is missed.

“Here at Derby Grammar School, we ensure there is space – both physically within our woodland area and buildings, but also in our timetable – for pupils to properly explore the arts.”

The school’s own woodland area allows it to teach its accredited Forest School activities, including crafting and cooking. The school, while doing its own assessments to monitor progress, does not enter Year 6 pupils into SATS, relieving pressure from pupils so they can focus on a broad range of subjects and interests.

Weekly timetabled music lessons are also taught at the school in Rykneld Road, with opportunities offered for pupils to learn an instrument. In Year 4 and 5, every child learns an instrument through enrichment activities taught by Ho\t House Music. Choir and band clubs also support the musical offering.

Performance and drama can offer positive outlets for expression in our young people which is why Derby Grammar School offers LAMDA lessons and ensures all primary children take part in a Christmas and summer production. Children also receive the chance to practise public speaking with House poetry competitions.

There are also art lessons, clubs and competitions along with design and technology classes to showcase to pupils the benefits of drawing and creating.

Creativity is also encouraged through children’s writing. The school runs ‘free writing Friday’ each week, where children can write for pleasure. Teachers don't mark the work for punctuation and grammar but instead focus on creativity. It has been running for a year now and was an idea set up by former children's laureate, Cressida Cowell who wrote How to Train Your Dragon.

“It goes without saying that reading and writing are huge focuses of our Primary School,” said Mrs Genders, “but what we are keen to nurture is not just the skills of reading and writing, but a love of these art forms and the creativity they allow.

“Through nurturing creativity and the arts, our pupils are able to express themselves to become well-rounded citizens. The Arts can also help pupils find ways through which they can explore and record learnings in other subjects.”