Ruskin Legacy Project

The Ruskin Legacy Project was launched at Alston Hall, near Preston with two days of residential workshops. Course participants included teachers, teaching assistants, lunchtime organisers, parent governors and consultants drawn from primary and secondary sector; all were expected to make a full and undifferentiated contribution.

The workshops covered drama, dance, music making, singing and visual arts and were linked into a narrative theme exploring social conditions for ordinary folk around the turn of the eighteenth century. The work also encompassed history, geography, citizenship and a significant amount of speaking and listening. There also exists within the theme enormous scope for using research skills especially the internet for secondary sources of information.

From the outset the material presented was challenging and at first colleagues were working outside their comfort zone, but as the sessions progressed confidence grew.

Despite long days, the sessions did not finish until 10.00pm and the intensity of the work, the course participants offered these comments on the work undertaken so far:

"A great course the best yet!" "Tiring and Inspiring" "Highly recommended" "Full of ideas to use in the class" "Brilliant" "Excellent and productive"

The project and the commitment continue through the course of the year with a series of twilight sessions taking place on fortnightly basis at Touchstones. Colleagues are now modelling what they have learnt and will continue to learn to pupils back in their own schools. It will culminate in performances as part of the Manchester Arts Festival to be held at the Contact Theatre in June and an associated exhibition of visual art.

For more information contact Mike Diggle at Rochdale EiC on 01706 925098