MAGPIE -‐ Museums & Galleries Partnership in Education MAGPIE, was an initiative that started in 2004 as a partnership between Manchester Children’s Services, Manchester schools and five museums and galleries in Manchester to develop new practice and resources to deliver the Primary Framework for literacy at years 3 and 4. The Primary Framework within Schools encouraged creative, cross curricular and whole class approaches to developing writing and language, as well as involving children in their own learning. Museums are extremely well placed to help teachers deliver these preferred ways of learning. MAGPIE was coordinated by a Primary Consultant: Museums and Galleries. Who was part of the advisory team at Manchester Children’s Services. The partnership was funded by five museums and galleries in Manchester through Renaissance in the Regions. Research proved that the partnership achieved on average an increase in pupil attainment in writing that was 35% greater than nationally set expectations for progress. In 2008/9 MAGPIE expanded by involving all primary year groups, Early Years, family learning, networks of schools and ITE in projects that explored the MAGPIE approach further: • Developing partnerships and communication between museums/galleries and teachers • Classroom teachers i.e. Lead Teachers, supporting other teachers and trainees • Incorporating creative approaches for all learning styles • Integrating sessions at the museums and galleries fully into programmes of study • Developing teachers skills and confidence to deliver their own museum and gallery sessions • Raising attainment in literacy by providing valuable learning opportunities. MAGPIE has been concentrating on embedding this approach in schools by working with specific schools to create structures to sustain good practice in museum and gallery teaching and learning. These schools and teachers can act as advocates, models and support for other schools. Over the last two years the partnership has widened to include many other Manchester cultural venues. MAGPIE officially finishes at the end of 2010. MAGPIE leaves three practical legacies: 1. Cultural Links web pages -‐ www.mewan.net/culturallinks . This space is for teachers, cultural organisations and creative practitioners to share information, ideas and resources. 2. Creative Approaches Handbook = This contains a directory of venues and organisations, information about planning and booking and lots of creative ideas to use both outside and inside the classroom. You can download a copy from www.mewan.net/culturallinks 3. magpie Creative Learning Network -‐ A strong partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University has resulted in the creation of magpie Creative Learning Network, this is a
network for teachers, cultural organisations and creative practitioners in all areas of the curriculum working in and around Manchester who are interested in creative approaches to learning. The aim of the network is to:
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Share ideas, advice and projects Communicate information about programmes and offers from cultural venues and creative practitioners Create projects in partnership with each other
For further information about the network go to www.mewan.net/culturallinks or contact Julie Howse magpieCLN@gmail.com Organisations involved in MAGPIE include: Manchester Art Gallery People's History Museum Whitworth Art Gallery Manchester Museum Museum of Science and Industry