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As part of the work of the Centre for Creative Explorations, a creative research centre based at HGAED, we hosted 24 teachers from the Philippines who are currently studying on an MA course in Redesigning Education at Goldsmiths University. 

Part of their course is looking at decolonisation and radical education practice. Part of the day was a sharing of some of these practices that are being developed in school. One example is how we support student empowerment through developing their own creative research and we were fortunate to have two of our recent A’ Level artists with us to lead workshops with the visitors.

Nadia led a Debate Cake session, a method that supports conversations over food and drink, around her current research that explores her Muslim identity. Nadia uses this method to encourage people to chat about their own experiences of race and feed into a share artwork called “community Hijab’. The highlight as always with this particular session, was Nadia’s spiced tea, which is always a treat.

Jenna also led a workshop, this time exploring themes around gender identity. Jenna used the very simple post-it note as a metaphor for the square box that people often feel they have to fit into. By offering the post-it up for re-design, she created opportunity to share individual experiences and listen to stories, some celebratory and others more difficult to hear, but through sharing creates opportunity to build community.

The visitors also visited various lessons throughout the day, as well as having the opportunity to share practice with teachers across the school. The opportunity to share practice from different global contexts is rare so this was particularly exciting for all of us. We are now hoping that we will be invited to visit them in the Philippines!

If you are interested in the work of the CCE pleasesee the website.

Ms Stanhope

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