David RogersHead of Geography

@daviderogersdrogersmm@me.com

http://daviderogers.blogspot.com

Jo DebensGeography Teacher

@GeoDebsjdebens@priory.portsmouth.sch.uk

Geography?

http://flickr.com/photos/christiansvaneskolding/

SpaceSpace

Space

Aims

..in spite of a dreamer who slumbers

Isn’tit

my education?

To engage learners in exploring and interpreting space, especially around school buildings.

To develop a core of learners that can actively, confidently and skilfully use their knowledge of the built environment to engage architects and planners during the BSF process.

To investigate how space around schools can be developed to maximise cross-curricular learning opportunities.

To provide a record of the transformation of Priory School

What did we get up to?

Ethos

www.ziggster.com

Focus group actually

became slightly more interested as they carried

out the project...and the group got

bigger

Ex-tremel

y

Quite Don't mind

Sort of Not at all

0.00%

10.00%

20.00%

30.00%

40.00%

50.00%

60.00%

70.00%

How interested are you in the BSF process? Before project

Level of interest

Perc

ent o

f stu

dent

voi

ce

“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.”

What is important to consider for the new school?

1. Creating classrooms & spaces that help you learn2. Having amazing technology3. Getting good equipment that lasts a long time4. Creating safe places around school5. Improving the environment & outdoor learning spaces6. Learning about spaces7. Being good to the environment8. Making the school sustainable9. Saving money10. Improving sports facilities

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“We had a meeting with the Board of Governors. I felt

quite nervous but it got better as the time went on.”

“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.”

What skills have you learnt throughout the project?

Guerrilla Innovation

Outcomes

Engaging with professionals

Before19%

Confidence

After84%

‘Professionally

Stunning’

Engaged

with

20%

of the

school

community

Learners have

Explored and interpreted space and how it affects learning

Successfully engaged with the senior leadership team and architects

Suggested ways in which school spaces can be used to maximise learning

Utilised the electronic resources when learning

The future?

Two national conference workshops

Space Explorer. Place Creator Cookbook

Units of work created, including transition

Microsoft’s UK Innovative Education Forum

Geographical Association articles

David RogersHead of Geography

@daviderogersdrogersmm@me.com

http://daviderogers.blogspot.com

Jo DebensGeography Teacher

@GeoDebsjdebens@priory.portsmouth.sch.uk