For more than fifteen years Gateshead has been a place of innovation in community development and urban regeneration. Historically it has been a strong supporter of the arts, championing projects like the Angel of the North, and The Sage Gateshead and has developed an award-winning library service. Education here, as elsewhere, has been seen as a ladder of opportunity to compensate for the dwindling of its traditional industries.
Educational Development Plan
In 2002 the Gateshead Educational Development Plan adopted the commitment to deliver 'Education with Character'. This accepted that culture and creativity are essential to providing the right climate for the development of our young people. It is our vision that schools will be supported by a range of activities which provide a broad and vibrant curriculum, drawing on the expertise of outside partners and other agencies.
Cultural and Creativity Ambassadors (CCAs )
In 2003 we created a network of Cultural and Creativity Ambassador teachers (CCAs ) in Gateshead schools and Early Years settings to share good practice, information, develop skills and plan joint initiatives.
The nominated Ambassador teachers receive information from cultural organisations via the Council’s Arts Development team. The information is relayed via the post, email and a weblog which is hosted by Gateshead Grid for Learning. To date we have 93% of Gateshead schools taking part in the scheme and 91 cultural organisations feeding information to them.
Examples of initiatives and events:
November 2005
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The Cultural & Creativity Ambassadors second AGM at Tyne View Primary School.
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CCAs speakers joined Councillor Catherine Donovan and the Council Arts
Development Team staff in reporting the successes and feedback from the past year.
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September 2005
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Newcastle Council announce that they will be joining the network in 2006.
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July 2005
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Other LEAs interested in setting up similar schemes, to date - Oxford, Nottingham, Leicester, Blyth, Darlington and Kent.
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April 2005
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The network is extended, adding Early Years settings to schools.
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March 2005
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Top Two Ambassador schools 2004/5
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Harlow Green Junior School;
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St Anne’s Primary School.
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October 2004
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Local Government Association Conference at the Hilton Hotel, Gateshead
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CCAs scheme displayed for delegates’ viewing
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