Schools join forces on Opening Minds
Schools join forces on Opening Minds
Schools planning on introducing the RSA’s innovative curriculum framework Opening Minds can now turn to a new online platform - the ‘Opening Minds School Community’ – as a source of advice and support.
As more primary and secondary schools continue to sign up to the RSA’s curriculum framework, demand has grown for a platform enabling teachers to upload and share materials, curriculum plans and other documents, as well as search for other participating schools.
The RSA believes that the new website will provide invaluable peer to peer support and encourage many more schools to sign up. Commenting on the launch of the community, Mariéa Christodoulou Deputy Head teacher, Tideway School Newhaven said:
“Collaborative planning has been at the heart of all the Opening Minds work we do at Tideway, we therefore welcome the opportunities that the ‘Opening Minds Online School Community ‘ will provide. We are excited by the potential for sharing ideas and practice with colleagues from across a much wider geographical area. We will be utilising the peer to peer support potential across schools as we further develop our assessment of student progress through the competencies. We hope that we will be able to team up with colleagues in other schools to develop joint projects on which our learners can collaborate.“
Commenting on the launch of the community, Emma Boustead of Thistley Hough school said:
“As an Opening Minds coordinator I have found visiting other Opening Minds schools invaluable. An online resource such as this would allow us to continue to be innovative and collaborative by sharing our resources, ideas and experiences with existing or prospective Opening Minds schools. Ultimately this will result in a more enriching and exciting experience for the young people we work with.”
In a recent survey of schools using Opening Minds, 78 per cent had their curriculum provision graded as outstanding or good by Ofsted (11 per cent higher than the national average).
Schools using the Opening Minds curriculum have reported increased motivation levels, greater engagement and enjoyment in learning, and higher self esteem. Young people following the curriculum also demonstrate strong listening skills, both to each other and to staff, and considerable expertise in supporting their peers.
Currently, the RSA Academy in Tipton, is leading the way in developing ‘Opening Minds’ in which young people are encouraged to develop life skills or ‘competences’. These cover five main areas; citizenship; learning; managing information; managing situations & relating to people.
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