Working Collaboratively Across Curriculum Areas

Earlier this year, Novus learners in the English department at HMP Humber took part in The Spinning Tales Project which was organised by the National Justice Museum (NJM). The work produced was then included in the NJM publication earlier on in the year. 

The learners enjoyed the project so much, that the English department decided to re-run the project internally as a collaboration with the art department. 

Working collaboratively across subjects to provide more enrichment opportunities

12 learners in the English class wrote personal and honest stories about themselves, titled 'Being Me'. These were then sent over to the art department where another 12 learners were asked to read the stories and respond by making a spinning top inspired by the story they had read.

The art learners spent a lot of time reading and re-reading the stories, and putting thought into how they would respond and which materials they would use to make links to the stories. Some of the stories written by learners in the English department were quite personal, and some of the art learners shared that they were humbled by their willingness to share their stories with other learners. Which enabled a sensitive, emphasising response to the whole project. 

The spinning tops were then given back to the learners in the English department. During the group activities, learners really enjoyed spinning the tops. The spinning tops served as a dual purpose as they acted as fidget/stimming tools which allowed a lot of the LDD learners to participate and focus during the project. 

The project was a huge success with learners commenting positively on the experience: 

I thought the stories were very honest and come from the heart. It's inspired me to be more honest and have faith in the people around me and to be positive about life.

I have learned that if I want to make a paper plate spin good, I have to stick the stem to the plate in order to make it spin well. I'd like to think I'd have more time to think into other's stories and imagine myself in their shoes.

Projects like this enable more learners to engage in enrichment opportunities. A project that was initially aimed at learners in the English department was able to be modified so that the art department could get involved, further engaging more learners in enrichment opportunities. 

It also enabled learners to learn more about each other as well as develop their social and emotional abilities. Showing empathy towards the English learner's stories and being respectful not only develops personal relationships and a bond with the other learners, but also helps them to express empathy towards others, positively impacting their personal development skills. 

To learn more about our enrichment projects, take a look at the news section.