Find Your Talent

Teacher spotlight: Deputy Head, David Williams

We’ve been talking to David Williams, Deputy Headteacher at St Christopher’s Catholic Primary School, Liverpool to find out more about cultural activity in the school.

How has engaging with cultural activity enriched your school life and what are the key benefits for children ?

Cultural activity has been embedded into the practices of the school over many years. We developed a ‘culture map of entitlement’ linking the children to the rich cultural heritage of Liverpool and its region. We have linked with the Liverpool Culture Company and many other partners in the lead-up to Capital of Culture 08 and beyond. School life and the pupils’ experience have been enhanced vastly by these cultural activities and we are keen to extend its influence further. Children clearly value culture, are much enriched by the experience and value their community higher.

Tell us about cultural and creative arts projects you have taken part in this year and benefits to your pupils .

During World Week in October 2009 we had performers, musicians, storytellers etc in school over a full week and we explored world cultures. An absolutely brilliant week with an outdoor celebration for all pupils and parents on the Friday. Spanish Exchange Week in March 2010 was excellent as we had twenty visitors from a school in Madrid and we joined them in exploring the Liverpool Area. It was a superb experience for the Spanish children and our children loved it too. We also have an annual Spanish Cultural Celebration, a highlight of the Summer Term which takes place on 18 June this year. We also have celebrations for achievements in Children’s University with our dancers performing at Parklands CLC on 1 July 2010.

What challenges have arisen, or needed to be overcome when engaging with cultural provision in general?

We need to incorporate cultural events and visits into the curriculum more directly. We have a real focus on this for next year and hope to set up a collaboration with Curious Minds to embed cultural partnership into Oracy Development in EYFS Education. We also plan to introduce the International Primary Curriculum in September and hope to build up a good relationship with National Museums Liverpool to enhance this.

What is your view of cultural provision in schools in general, and how do you ensure it is embedded into the curriculum?

Much culture has been driven out of many schools throughout the era of National Curriculum and a data-driven agenda. We have always valued deeply the arts and wider cultural curriculum and welcome the Rose Report and its implications for broadening the cultural curriculum. We hope it survives the change of government but even if it doesn’t we remain committed to its spirit.

What's would you like to see happen next to ensure more children benefit from cultural provision?

We would like to see a deepening of links with cultural providers beyond school so that children appreciate and value cultural aspects beyond their school years into adult life and their life experience is enriched through that.