Brilliant ideas alight
Small interventions that have a big impact on learning are described in a new publication from the Teaching Awards called 'Butterflies for Schools.
The book, edited by Hilary Wilce, is a collection of 20 ideas, gathered from our finalists, which, like a butterfly, could alight on any school to dazzling effect.
The notion is linked to chaos theory, which suggests that if sufficient butterflies whirred their wings in the Amazonian rain forests a tornado might ultimately result many miles north in the United States.
One example – called 'PE for everyone' – encourages all pupils to get involved in sports teams, whether it's putting away the ground flags or taking kit home to wash. Captains of teams aren't always players – but they can rally enthusiasm and plan strategies. It's a school where 'sport for all' is not just a phrase.
Professor Tim Brighouse, who has written the introduction, encouraged 'butterflies' in Birmingham schools when he was the city's director of education. As former chair of the TA national panel of judges, he's still passionate about passing on simple but effective ideas.
A copy of the book has been sent to all our 149 winners from the English regions, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. If you'd like a downloadable copy please contact poppyo@teachingawards.com
