As part of the Continuing Professional Development programme here at Framlingham College, James Buxton, Head of Design Technology, has given an excellent talk to teachers from a range of departments on the ‘Value of Creativity’.

The purpose of the talk was to encourage teachers from a range of subjects, many of which may be less overtly creative, to think about ways they could encourage their students to take on a creative approach to their studies. At the beginning of the talk, teachers were asked to think of as many uses as they can for a simple building brick. Teachers won points for number of uses and ingenuity of the uses they came up with. The purpose of the session was to show teachers how they can encourage students to think differently about things. Mr Buxton defined creativity as something which is: “novel and appropriate” but recognised that it is famously difficult to define and that it is not limited to more traditionally creative subjects like art and design.

Mr Buxton referenced author, Ken Robinson, who discusses a lack of creativity as a key issue facing the education sector. Mr Buxton says: “At Framlingham College we give pupils the opportunities to express their creativity and challenge ideas to create fantastic results. The value of creative thinking in teaching is huge. This is something I believe we do uniquely well here at Framlingham College. Pupils go on to do amazing things they are passionate about.”

Using creativity in teaching is extremely important for pupils of all ages. At the Prep School, Mr Lenton, Head of Art, prioritises teaching his students to try to see things differently. He said: “One example of seeing things differently we used is a project where pupils were given a piece of card with a small hole in it that they then took outside to look at grass in a different way. They developed macro sketches that then inspired some modern, abstract design work.

“We wanted to show pupils how art, a creative subject, can help to develop the skills of observation, critical thinking and the ability to interpret the world around us.”

An Opportunity to Develop as Academics Through Creativity

As part of the year nine Academic Scholars Programme, Scholars were given a unique project brief which encouraged them to study something they are individually passionate about. This talented group of individuals were then asked to put together a presentation on the topic. The results were overwhelming as students responded with huge enthusiasm to being given the freedom to explore something which matters to them personally in greater detail. Project Lead, Mr Dyer said: “I wanted to bottle the energy and enthusiasm when the scholars were briefed.”

This week, two students gave their presentations in front of the Year nine assembly. The topic they chose was of palm oil production and the deforestation that occurs in this process. Students in the assembly were noticeably fascinated by this real-world topic which is very much part of the news agenda today. Another of the students involved in the programme said: “It was so great to research a topic that we are really passionate about. The sense of freedom has allowed us to get to a really cool place”.

Other stories from our newsletter:

Celebrating and Inspiring Hope as Advent Begins

We spoke to three senior pupils about their successful university applications as well as School Chaplain, Brynn Bayman about how this year’s advent holds special significance.


Framlingham College Business and Economics Teacher Becomes Financial Times Contributor

We spoke Business and Economics Teacher, Elin Egger, about her work as a contributor to the Financial Times’ senior teaching resources which are accessed and used by teachers across the country.


Heads of English Give us Their 12 Books of Christmas for Children of all Ages

Our two Heads of English, from the Senior and Prep Schools, have offered us their expert insight into the best books for children of all ages to read over this festive period – just in time for peak Christmas shopping season.


Upsides of Lockdown: Students more Engaged with Current Affairs

The latest instalment of our ongoing Upsides of Lockdown series identifies the trend in pupils becoming more engaged with subjects relating to the hectic news agenda. We speak to teachers from the Senior and Prep School about pupils’ increased interest in politics, economics and the environment.


It’s beginning to look like a Christmas at Framlingham College

The Christmas Spirit is coursing through Framlingham College as we flip the pages of our calendars for the last time this year. You can read about all the magical festivities our Senior and Prep Schools are putting on for pupils in our Christmas newsletter, arriving mid-December. Take a look at our BTEC Music students rehearsing Rockin’ Robin in preparation:

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