Join us in a creative debate about the importance of creative education for all children and young people at Bath Spa University’s brand new School of Art and Design.
Wed, 23 October 2019, 5–7pm
International author and campaigner, Melissa Benn will be joined by colleagues from Bath Spa University, Goldsmiths University of London and Cambridge Curiosity and Imagination. Professor Sue Rigby, Vice Chancellor, Bath Spa University will give a welcoming address to open up the debate.
Melissa Benn, will kick off the evening with a creative provocation: ‘There is currently a propaganda war under way in English education, led by the political right, which seeks not merely to defend but to celebrate the dramatic reforms of the past decade. Part of this involves the idea of ‘no excuses’ discipline and a ‘knowledge curriculum’ – as if no knowledge was ever imparted in England’s schools before 2010. In reality, many of these changes have meant a narrowing curriculum and more standardised testing, and imposition of the Ebacc as an accountability measure has reduced the teaching of more creative subjects such as art, drama and music.”
Melissa Benn will examine these issues, as well as highlighting those institutions and individuals who are resisting it through their exploration and celebration of human creativity in the broadest sense. She will stress the importance of both educational history, as a way of preventing the erasure of past innovation and success, and our need to highlight the achievements of other educational systems that put less emphasis on narrow knowledge and harsh discipline. Finally, she will explore how we can resist current trends in education, and help to develop a flourishing alternative, both at school level and in the political realm.
Dr Esther Sayers, Goldsmiths University of London, Ruth Sapsed, Cambridge Curiosity and Imagination and Dr Penny Hay, Bath Spa University, will share examples of exemplary practice in creative education and open up the debate about how we can prioritise creativity at all levels of our education system.
This event is supported by Creative Bath.
Bookings via Eventbrite
Tickets £5, incl. glass of wine
Please feel free to share the flyer or the above Eventbrite link with any contacts who may be interested in attending.
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