Rethinking Curriculum – The Power of Place – what happens when you put place at the centre of curriculum design – Operation Spitfire 4 Schools in Stoke-on-Trent
Are you interested in developing your primary curriculum? Hear from colleagues who have created ‘Operation Spitfire 4 Schools’. Rooted in place, this project focuses on history, engineering, science and careers, with a focus on Stoke-on-Trent’s role in the iconic Spitfire’s development. Students explore a creative, inclusive curriculum, meet fighter pilots, relatives of Spitfire pilots and engineers, engage with employers, visit the Spitfire Gallery, and compete for a fantastic prize in a STEM competition. Piloted with over 140 students, the programme demonstrated a significant boost to scientific knowledge, skills, engagement, and civic pride.
This webinar comes to you as part of the Rethinking Curriculum webinar series. The project aims to support and equip teachers and school leaders with the knowledge and skills to identify, plan and implement curriculum development work in a sustainable, creative and place-based approach. This will mean that all pupils will have access to an expansive, inspiring curriculum that connects them with local communities and enables them to lead healthy, fulfilled lives.
The session will be hosted by Lily Wheeler (Events Officer)
Lily Wheeler is Events Officer at the Chartered College of Teaching, organising and leading on the events portfolio. Lily works within the Research, Policy and Events team ensuring that the events offered are enriching and broaden opportunities for Fellows and Members of the College. These include roundtables, webinars, journal clubs and larger-scale events such as the Annual Lecture. Prior to joining the College, Lily worked as an Engagement Advisor at the National Citizen’s Service, liaising with various stakeholders in schools and Local Authorities, completing the end-to-end planning and implementation of events such as assemblies and year group programmes. Lily is also a qualified dance teacher and currently teaches this in schools.
Speakers:
Jo Malone is an education consultant, adviser, and coach, dedicated to making education more inclusive and equitable for all learners and educators. She is CEO of the charity Operation Spitfire 4 Schools (OS4S), which she has led from ideation through pilot and implementation and is now taking to scale. Jo is also an executive member of the Foundation for Education Development and co-founder of a women’s consultants and advisers network. Previously, she spent ten years as Senior Education Adviser at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, leading a global education programme, following 16 years teaching and leading in the state secondary sector. She also serves as a primary school governor and adviser to two global education organisations.
Emma McNeil is a Primary School Teacher, STEM specialist and Head of Education for Operation Spitfire 4 Schools. She has developed the OS4S curriculum whilst working at the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery. Previously she held roles at The Museum Of Science and Industry, The National Trust and Catalyst Science Discovery Centre and Museum. Throughout her career she has taught lessons within museums which combine historical knowledge with scientific enquiry. She is a strong believer that through scientific enquiry young people begin to understand the world and by learning about the past they can find out how new discoveries have been made.
