Creative Approaches to Improving Participation：Giving learners a say

Introducing creativity to the classroom is a concern for teachers, governments and future employers around the world, and there has been a drive to make experiences at school more exciting, relevant, challenging and dynamic for all young people, ensuring they leave education able to contribute to the global creative economy.

Creative Approaches to Improving Participation examines ways in which young people have been given a creative voice in the classroom, and have actively participated in their own learning, transforming classrooms, curricula, assessment structures and teaching practices. Promoting reflection on current ‘student-teacher-school’ relationships, the contributions within this book illustrate how the active engagement of students can lead to greater motivation, self-reliance and risk-taking, skills essential for a successful post-school career. Through an exploration of students’ current inclusion in school life, this book provides:



a study of key issues and debates surrounding student participation
ideas for increasing student participation and ‘personalised learning'
case studies from a range of creative learning projects with analysis of their achievements
guidance on the creation of active pedagogies
practical suggestions for reflective practice.


A practical, accessible guide to creatively increasing students’ participation, this book is valuable reading for all practising and trainee teachers, school managers and school leaders working with young people in education.

Helen Manchester is Visiting Research Fellow in the Education and Social Research Institute at Manchester Metropolitan University, UK.

Series Introduction 1. Introduction by Helen Manchester 2. Adult Ambassadors and Textile Interventions; the Birth of a Creative Youth Panel Sarah Joubert, Rachel Carter, Ruth Turnbull and Rehmuna Begum 3. Teacher led Creative Participation; Designing a 'Home Grown' Curriculum with Young People Debra Cleeland 4. Students as Creative Consultants: Researching and Developing a New Pastoral System Sally Cox 5. Small Actions - Big Change: Co-Producing Creative Approaches in School and Out Claire Simpson, Asima Qureshi and Parmjit Sagoo 6. Creative Islands: Creative Approaches to Inclusion and Voice Ben Edwards 7. Room 13: Children in Charge of a Creative Space on the Margins Neil Small Staff Development and Resources