Home Log In Site Map Contact High

Contrast

Large Text

Mobile

About Us Fellowship Projects Events House

Our projects Home  »  Projects  »  Education  »  Opening Minds  »  Opening Minds Conference 2008

Business Improvement RSA Project blogs

Districts Opening Minds Conference 2008
The Ambivalence Gap
Citizen Power The 2008 Opening Minds Conference was held at the RSA on Tuesday 13 May 2008. 
Thomas Neumark says: Government's
Connected Communities Conference highlights "risk adverse paternalism" is partly a
result of our ambivalence towards the
Design Opening Minds is a competence-based curriculum framework which gives teachers the state.
Education flexibility to make connections between subjects and prepares pupils more effectively for The economic recovery could be
the world beyond school. Results are impressive in terms of pupil attainment, motivation going off track and a Green
» Area Based Curriculum and behaviour. Opening Minds produces self-confident and independent learners. Investment Bank is not a real
solution
» Opening Minds Adam Lent says: A new study shows
Building on its success, the project is now focussing on changes to the way learning is
» Social Justice in organised in schools in order to make it more relevant to the demands placed on it by life the recovery is not following previous
in the 21st century. patterns. But the much lauded Green
education
Investment Bank is far too small an
» RSA Academy Delegates heard presentations from : initiative to get us back on track.
Is success a failure?
» Previous initiatives Michael Gernon, RSA Tipton Academy Principal Thomas Neumark says: If a stigmatised
Enterprise area is rejuvenated does this
Paul Hammond, Deputy Head, Oasis Academy necessarily lead to gentrification and
Environment Awards the displacement of low income
Mick Waters, Director of Curriculum, QCA residents?
Social Brain London; the never ending story
Past Projects Panel session Alison Masters says: Buildings tell our
stories, but in a dematerialising age
Partner Us The panel sessions included contributions from Wayne Shand, Head of Economic and what will be the next chapter?
Urban Policy for Manchester City Council. MCC are currently exploring the potential for a
Films
'Manchester Curriculum' - where the curriculum content would be drawn from
Manchester's rich cultural, social and economic heritage located within a forward-looking Contact Us
and global context. Wayne was keen to share early thoughts and to get feedback from
the conference delegates. RSA Education

We were also delighted to have David Martin attending: Education Consultant with the 8 John Adam Street
European Commission. David has been working with the RSA on plans for a European London
wide competence-based project. Around 32 schools located across Europe would work WC2N 6EZ
with some of our Opening Minds schools to develop a range of competence based UK
modules of work that are proving to be so successful in these schools. Again, the work is
Email Janet Hawken
just at planning stage, but he welcomed the opportunity to discuss current plans and
+44 (0) 20 7451 6874
receive informed feedback.
View full list of Education team
Also joining us for the panel sessions were representatives from two Opening Minds 
schools, both of which were featured in the recent Teachers TV programmes: Whitley
Abbey School in Coventry and Hinchley Wood School in Epsom.

Lorraine Allen, Headteacher at Whitley Abbey, is expanding the scope of Opening Minds
through Key Stage 3. Alan Griffiths, Deputy Head at Hinchley Wood, currently uses
Opening Minds in Year 7 but is looking to expand it to Year 8. Hinchley Wood was also
part of the recent QCA project exploring assessment methods for competences and
Personal Learning and Thinking Skills.

Missed the conference this year?

You can access downloads of presentations and speeches from the event below.

Presentation

Michael Gernon, RSA Tipton Academy Principal

Download Michael Gernon's presentation (PDF, 54 KB)
 
Paul Hammond, Deputy Head, Oasis Academy
Download Paul Hammond's presentation (PDF, 9 MB)

Mick Waters, Director of Curriculum, QCA

Download Mick Waters' presentation (PDF, 63 KB)

Speeches

Download the conference introduction (MP3, 9 MB)

Download Michael Gernon's speech (MP3, 43 MB)
Download Paul Hammond's speech (MP3, 34 KB)
Download Mick Waters' speech (MP3, 31 KB)
Download the Q&A (MP3, 54 MB)

http://www.thersa.org/projects/education/opening-minds/events/opening-minds-conference-2008 Page 1 / 2
 Find out more on the RSA Education blog.

Printer friendly Send to a friend

Share

Copyright © RSA 2008-11 Privacy Contact Us Media Disclaimer RSS Video file hosting and streaming by GroovyGecko Powered by Open Source CMS

http://www.thersa.org/projects/education/opening-minds/events/opening-minds-conference-2008 Page 2 / 2