Education Forum VCT presentation file

1. Space explorers : Space creators

2. Some of the work produced….

3. Wordle Created by students to demonstrate their perception of the school space. This was used to communicate feelings to school leaders and architects as part of a discussion process.

5. AutoCollage Positive and Negative spaces. Digital images created to describe spaces, perceptions, sense of place. Students completed activities such as ‘little people’ to consider different points of view for different stakeholders. These images were used in discussion with senior leaders and architects.

8. Design your school Floorplanner 3d A free web application where students could create 3d visual images to design their own school. They had to problem solve, consider conflict, consider compromise. Presented to architects, local council, school leaders, other students

9. This is our design for how the new humanities block could look at a future Priory. Wider corridors and more entrances/exits so it gets less crowded. Might need to be one-way still. Plants in the corridor and art-work / sculptures by students. The rooms are built around a quad with lots of windows. There are plants and benches to sit at during wet breaks. We can also work here. A relaxed learning area. Room to sit in small groups to read and work on group projects independently. Comfy seats please! Double entrances will make it less crowded at changeover. Rotating doors means we won’t get pushed into doors. www.floorplanner.com

10. Classrooms all have big interactive whiteboards and projector screens. There is no glare from the windows because they have built-in blinds inside them. Flexible workspace with casual seating as well as some desks. We can work independently here, brainstorm, practice things, work on projects. Tables are more flexible so you can work in groups or break off in pairs / alone. Chairs are more comfy.

11. Different subjects should have different coloured rooms + doors to make them obvious. The room numbers should start with a letter to show the department too. Like H1 for history. A break-out room connected to the classroom. Space to do something creative with more room. Role plays, practice debates, etc. . We have to go out on the stairs now and it’s noisy. Each area / floor should have an IT room with Macs and up-to-date PC machines. Both types of computer are helpful. Laptops too that can be borrowed to other rooms. Comfy office chairs here.

12. Classroom Relaxed learning area Classroom Classroom Classroom Courtyard area Classroom IT room Break-out space Toilets

13. Each room has access to 10 laptops at any time, locked away or in desks. More can be booked when we need them but some are always there so we can do research. We are also allowed to use our phones to access the web to help us. We think we have a human right to have access to nice toilets close by, on every floor. With clean drinking water too. Hard wearing carpet in each room will help keep noise down between rooms and keep them warmer in winter. Rooms have air-con in summer so we can concentrate more.

14. Sense of space: school spaces, positive & negative Started with Bing maps…. to gain a sense of space. Images were used to discuss overcrowding, congestion, problems of urban areas, etc.

15. Our school! Priory is on a crowded site, surrounded by houses. We went on the roof and all we could see where houses! We have very little space. But, we are prowd of our school. We have great sports facilities. It generally feels safe but the spaces are not very easy at the minute. Like at breaks when it is too busy and scary.

16. Students meet the council After pursuing the project for some time, our increasingly confident students met with council leaders and completed work to demonstrate their feelings and perceptions.

17. Top Trumps – decision making, compromise Working collaboratively with others Students worked collaboratively with students and adults from across the city to describe their ideal school. They had costings and had to learn to compromise and make decisions. This was part of the process which led to the development of the FloorPlanner design and were included in PowerPoints + MovieMaker videos shared with Year 7. Needs and Wants wall – students debated and discussed Human Rights

18. PhotoSynth KS3 blog Please see our KS3 blog, mostly edited by myself but also with content uploaded by students. This shows the PhotoSynth file created by students to represent problem spaces in Priory. It also shows the students interacting with the architects and council leaders who described their work as “stunning”. These Photosynth files were used in discussion with council members as part of the student voice, student action project. They were also shared with Year7 students with the new co-constructed scheme of work.

19. Workshop Event 30 students worked on a Space Explorers workshop for 3 days with members of the Geography Collective, completing missions to explore the spaces and to provide feedback to adults. They worked collaboratively to plan how spaces could be used more effectively, they had to problem solve, be creative and learn to compromise.

20. New perspectives…. …..little people

21. How would spaces feel…. …from a different perspective?

22. Image: slinkachu http://little-people.blogspot.com/

23. Image: slinkachu http://little-people.blogspot.com/

24. Activity: Little People Take your little people somewhere you think they would feel comfortable / uncomfortable. Use your phone / camera to take a photo of this Be prepared to explain why you chose these spaces….think….from a different perspective

25. Magic glasses

26. Desired Inspired Required What we want, ideal needs Creative, pie-in-the-sky ideas Needs, absolute necessities

27. BBC News School Report Students reporting on students… we took part in the BBC News School Report again this year…this time reporting on the Space Explorers project.

28. Pupil summary on the project Listen to a student explaining the project for me!

29. www.ziggster.com

30. Student voice This project was all about student voice and student action. Students completed a confidence survey before and after the unit of work so we could measure progression.

31. The Focus Group Student Voice about BSF

33. “They said they were interested but I don't think we were always taken seriously.” “I think sometimes they don't listen if they don’t like the idea.” “We were invited to a council meeting where people seemed interested but I think they thought our ideas were too expensive and not needed.” “I'd like to think that my ideas are being listened to because I work hard to make them unique and useful. But I'm not sure as the people in charge might have their own ideas of how to make Priory better.” “I would like to think so because of all the hard work we have put in.”

35. What do you think is important to consider for the new school? Creating classrooms & spaces that help you learn Having amazing technology Getting good equipment that lasts a long time Creating safe places around school Improving the environment & outdoor learning spaces Learning about spaces Being good to the environment Making the school sustainable Saving money Improving sports facilities

36. “As we did the project I realised that there are a lot of good areas in the school we take for granted that just need improving a little. So it changed my view a little.” “By learning about the building and different groups of people that need to be considered it helped me understand more and empathise.”

38. “I understand how the plans get talked about. And that it costs a lot.” “I didn't know much before so know more now.” “I didn't know much before about the words and plans. Now I have been able to chat to important designers.” “I know lots more words and have more confidence as I have spoken in front of important people including someone from London!” “I know lots more keywords now and how to express myself.”

40. “I am more confident with adults now and put my hand up more in class too.” “I was really nervous before but we have practised now and they are just human!” “It was easy to talk to them in the end, though we didn’t always understand the words. But they probably didn’t understand me either.” “I’m not sure if they’d listen to me, I’m just a student, but they might as well know my ideas anyway.” “We had a meeting with the Board of Governors. I felt quite nervous but it got better as the time went on.”

42. What skills have you learnt throughout the project? “Using computers and technology, discussing with people, working in groups, explaining myself.” “Teamwork, using Google Earth and collage, speaking my mind, being creative, discussing bits.” “Teamwork, using Google Earth, Presentation skills, being able to express myself, using a budget, and probably others I can't even remember.” “I learnt to be more creative, to think of how to solve problems, to not waste money, to talk to important people, to teamwork, and lots of other things.”