Memories of Walney: Community, Stories and Creativity with Ellie Chaney, Brenda Fishwick and South Walney Infant School

School

South Walney Infant School, Barrow-in-Furness. The school had been an Enquiry School on the Creative Partnerships programme in 2010-11.

Artist and Creative Facilitator

Ellie Chaney and Brenda Fishwick

Aims

Through the bursary and following the closure of the Creative Partnerships programme, former creative agent Brenda Fishwick hoped to explore the question: ‘How can we keep the vision and spirit of the Creative Partnerships programme alive and flourishing, with limited funding and without the support of a national programme?’ Practitioner Ellie Chaney had previously worked with the school during their Enquiry programme.

The project aimed to build on links into the community, both via parents, older family members and a nearby junior school, and also build staff confidence in using digital media to enhance the curriculum. 

Process

There was rich material to be tapped into from the elderly people who meet regularly at the school and who could share their reminiscences as 'storytellers'. Letters were sent home asking for artefact loans, and images and other resources were found at Barrow Library Archive & Study Centre which were used to illustrate the interviews.

Artist Ellie Chaney delivered four family workshops, using the school's equipment and parents' own digital cameras. Storyboards were created, stop motion animation was demonstrated and experimented with, and parents & children tried out software. Ellie followed up each session with information sheets which was designed to complement the learning.

Brenda led CPD sessions with staff, to reflect on the value of the work they had already undertaken and help develop their confidence as 'practitioners' who could lead creative activities themselves. They have begun to explore ideas for a creative approach to the Olympic year 2012, and how they could use their new media skills to develop this.

Impact

The family workshops culminated in a 'premiere', launching the completed film, and a guest visit by Russell Peat, an inspirational young local animator. All parents involved had no prior experience of digital media work, yet all stated that they would feel able to attempt an animation on their own by the end of the sessions. While no formal links were made with the nearby junior school, it is hoped that year 2 children who took part in the project will take forward their learning in the following year.   

Watch the film here.....

Next steps

The school are planning a creative field trip in the spring in consulation with Ellie and Russell. To ensure progression, Brenda hopes to support the school further by developing an creative learning action plan in the spring term with the headteacher.

Find out more

Email Ellie Chaney or Brenda Fishwick