Aspiring teachers get creative

A cohort of future teachers recently had the opportunity to flex their creative muscles during a full-day workshop exploring creativity in education.

The events of the day aimed to empower the soon-to-be educators with tools and techniques to integrate creativity into their teaching practices, enabling them to create a dynamic and stimulating learning environment for their students. The Primary Education students enjoyed workshops, group tasks, and open discussion about the subject.

Guest speakers also shared their expertise on the module subject, which is all about the curriculum choices a school may make. Across the day, three speakers worked with the group, including actor, writer, and teacher Ben Keaton from Creativity Academy, an organisation that visits schools and delivers workshops 'to give primary school teachers and their students the joy of making things.'

BGU Senior Lecturer Emma Rogers said: "I'm really grateful that Ben Keaton was able to join us for the morning to share the work on creativity that his Creative academy is doing in schools around Lincolnshire."

The students also heard from Liam Bielby, an Assistant Mathematics Hub Lead from the East Midlands East Maths Hub. Liam shared with the students the work of the maths hub and how they work with schools in the local area and the support available for early career teachers

Kateřina Dvořáková also visited the university from Czechia. As the Senior lecturer at the Faculty of Education, University of South Bohemia, Kateřina specialises in pre-service training of primary English teachers. She said: "My stay at BGU was absolutely fantastic. I I could observe a number of lessons and the teaching practice of the TESOL students.

"There have been several students from our university at BGU recently and more study visits are being planned. A semester at BGU can help our students improve their English and teaching skills and learn about Britain's culture and daily life."

Kateřina gave BGU students a fascinating insight into teacher training in Czechia. Students heard that, in her country, it takes five years to train to become a Primary school teacher so all teachers have a Master's qualification.

Emma Rogers added: "It was an insightful and productive day for students and staff alike.

"Everyone really enjoyed hearing from all three speakers, who offered the students a diverse selection of different voices and experiences."