Yorkmead JI School in Birmingham is looking for an experienced and talented sculptor or 3D artist to lead an exciting mathematical project with our Year 5 pupils. Application Deadline: 5pm Friday 26th November 2010 Interviews: Thursday 9th December 2010 Project Aim Through participation in the project we are looking to create a transferable model that will help engage girls in maths. We are specifically interested in providing them with an opportunity to apply their mathematical skills and knowledge in a variety of "real life", problem solving and "fun" settings that challenge gender stereotypes. Our School Yorkmead Primary is a friendly and welcoming inner city Birmingham school with a mixed ethnicity pupil population. The majority of our children have English as an additional language. We are embarking on our first enquiry project and are really keen to transform the way we teach and how our pupils learn. We are beginning to transform the curriculum to meet our needs for teaching creatively and want this process to be driven by pupils and teachers alike. We recognise the impact that a broad range of creative practitioners can have on the school. To that extent, capturing the legacy of this experience and sharing with staff and wider school community will be invaluable to us. Project Summary The project participants will be 30 girls drawn from our current Year 5 (9-10 years old) and their two class teachers supported by the maths co-ordinator in school. The aim of our project is to provide the opportunity for our girls to be inspired by the creative application of maths and to work with materials that oppose gender stereotypes. We have an open mind as to how a practitioner may wish to work and have some flexibility when it comes to structuring the project in school. We would also like to discuss the culmination of the project and envisage an event that will showcase the work of the pupils with the local community. After the project, it is intended that the teachers will be able to disseminate and share this good practice with colleagues throughout the school, leading to greater creativity and opportunity to plan and deliver experiences for our pupils that stimulate the application of their mathematic knowledge and skills. Timescale Application deadline is 5pm on Friday 26th November 2010. Interview by invitation on Thursday 9th December at the school. We are planning to start the project in January 2011 and run it during the majority of the spring term (depending on the availability of the creative practitioner). Therefore, the project should run for about 8-10 weeks until late March. Approximately 12 to 13 days will be spent in school working with children 2/3 days to work on planning and evaluation. Fees The total budget for the project is £4000 which will include attendance at planning and evaluation meetings, project delivery, all materials and travel expenses. The practitioner, the school, and the Creative Partnerships Agent will confirm the breakdown of the budget and the number of days during the early planning stages, before contracts are signed. Fees will be calculated on the current Creative Partnerships day rate of £220. Creative Practitioner Specifications: A real commitment to collaboration with teachers, pupils and parents A well developed professional expertise and the ability to share this expertise in a primary school setting An understanding of and sensitivity to the predominantly Muslim background of the girls on the project Be able to motivate, communicate and negotiate effectively Application If you think you have the necessary skills and interest then our staff and pupils would love to hear from you. In order to make sure we get the best person for the job, please ensure your application includes the following: - an overview of how you/ your organisation would like to work with our school (750 words max); - an up to date CV - 2 education sector references who you have worked in partnership with before. Please note it is a condition of this tender that you must possess a current Enhanced CRB Disclosure and have public liability insurance with a minimum value of £5 million. Those invited for interview at the school will be asked to make a short (5 minute) presentation on their approach to this project. Travel expenses are payable for the interview day. Applications including any web-links, supporting material etc must be submitted (preferably by email) by 5pm on Friday 26th November 2010 By e-mail a.newman-smith@yorkmead.bham.sch.uk and: iainpatelsmith@gmail.com Or by post: Mr Alex Newman-Smith Deputy Head Teacher Yorkmead Primary School York Road Hall Green Birmingham B28 8BB Tel: 0121 4644215 Fax: 0121 4646793 For an informal discussion about the post please contact: Andrew Mullen at Yorkmead School or our creative agent Iain Smith on 07733 126075 or email as above.
