Episode 12: A Recovery Curriculum #12 Leigh Blakeman & Amy Hockey (Chadsgrove School & Chadsgrove College)

This episode reports the development, work and outcomes of a school based Inquiry Project, the Open Book, from the national charity, Books Beyond Words.

The Project was led by Jo Egerton, (Schools Research Consultant), and directed by Professor Barry Carpenter.

Leigh Blakeman, Tutor, Chadsgrove College, and Amy Hockey, Teacher, Chadsgrove School in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, review the value of these wordless books for the emotional development of their students and pupils. The Project concluded its 2 year evaluation trial in the opening weeks of the pandemic, and Leigh and Amy apply their findings in the Project to the new context their learners will find themselves in, and how they can explore a range of feelings and losses outlined in the Recovery Curriculum Think Piece.

Using the Book Club model they discuss its effectiveness and value for social interaction. Leigh has, via zoom, re created this experience for some of her students, involving parents/ carers too. They specifically discuss the use of the free downloadable booklet from www.booksbeyondwords.co.uk, ' Beating the Virus", and how it has enabled their learners to explore their lived experience, during the pandemic, though open and honest conversations, (some of which we will be through alternative and augmentative forms of communication.)

The rich insights shared in this episode, from two outstanding practitioners, show how routes to recovery can be constructed that are personalised to student / pupil needs, using the Books Beyond Words resources.

The title and theme of the presentation is:

"Routes to Recovery through Books Beyond Words"

You can watch and listen to a video slide show of the presentation on the episode webpage:

https://www.evidenceforlearning.net/learningshared/recoverycurriculum12-bbw

There are also a number of articles and references on the episode page, as well as two videos, that show the resources being used in a real teaching and learning situation during the current shutdown.

More info on the Recovery Curriculum

For information on the Recovery Curriculum, including the original Think Piece entitled "A Recovery Curriculum: Loss and Life for our children and schools post pandemic", lectures, resources, reference materials and details of the online communities of practice, visit:

https://www.recoverycurriculum.org

Join the conversation about The Recovery Curriculum:

Clearly any form of Recovery Curriculum will need to be unique to each and every school, contextualised to the ethos, culture and values of that school, as well as its existing curriculum and crucially reflecting and addressing the needs and aspirations of its unique population of learners.

We have created private groups in LinkedIn and Facebook where colleagues and peers can discuss and share thoughts, ideas, experiences, resources and learning in relation to education and provision post pandemic. The groups are also an opportunity to connect people and help you to build a network that can support you on your own important journey over the coming months.

Facebook Group: Recovery Curriculum

We've set up a private facebook group specifically for The Recovery Curriculum at:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/recoverycurriculum

or search for "recoverycurriculum" in Facebook.

Facebook: EfL SEND Community Group

Join us at:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/eflSENDCommunity/

or search for "eflSENDCommunity" in Facebook.

The purpose of the group is to provide a safe, closed space to seek out and share ideas, experience and resources that can help with any and all aspects of SEND provision. It's also a community for practitioners and schools that use Evidence for Learning and Insights for Learning to share ideas, resources and support each other in using these apps. This is a peer-moderated and supported group.

Linkedin Group: The Recovery Curriculum

The group is called "A Recovery Curriculum for children & schools post-pandemic" and you can find it at:

https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12399451/