Woodwork

Monday June 12th 2023

9.30- 3.30

HEADS TRAINING CENTRE
Bertram Crescent, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE15 6PY

Booking:

either via Eventbrite: https://bit.ly/3AuMxbk

or email Pete: studio@petemoorhouse.co.uk and I will invoice

Day overview:

An introduction to the day. The historical and current context. Equal opportunities.

Theory: Where woodwork meet curriculum: Associated learning and development

Introduction to tools, wood, resources and workbenches

How to set up a woodwork area and manage the provision

Health and safety and risk assessment. Parents.

Longer term and collaborative projects, primary progression, makerspaces

Practical sessions: 2 practical sessions offering hands-on experience

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There is something really special about woodwork. The smell and feel of wood, using real tools, working with a natural material, the sounds of hammering and sawing, hands and minds working together to express imagination and solve problems, the use of strength and coordination: all go to combine captivating young children’s interest. It provides a truly unique experience. Woodwork is hugely popular with children, providing a rich source of enjoyment as well as learning. It is truly cross-curricular embracing so many areas of learning as well as building on children’s dispositions for learning. The impact is profound and long term.

This practical workshop will look at ways in which woodworking can be safely introduced in your school. We will look at the theory and the associated learning and development relating to the EYFS and KS1. There will be explanations of the most suitable wood and tools for children and instruction on how best to use them. We will look at the stages of children’s progression in woodwork. Information on potential suppliers of wood/ tools will be provided. Explanations on how to set up and manage a woodworking area. I emphasise open-ended exploration and also provide examples of possible longer term projects. There will be practical sessions for teachers to explore the tools, gain confidence and share the experience of making creations in wood.

From this course you will:

Understand the value and theory of woodwork especially in relation to EYFS/KS1

Learn about the current and historical context of woodwork

Understand the potential of woodwork for creativity and critical thinking

Learn how to introduce woodwork safely, implementing an effective risk assessment

Understand the most suitable tools for young children and how to use them

Be confident to develop a woodworking area

Know where to buy the most appropriate tools and materials

The venue is HEADS TRAINING CENTRE

Bertram Crescent, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE15 6PY

Drinks provided, bring a packed lunch.

Arrive at 9.15 for prompt 9.30 start

Tutor:

Pete Moorhouse is an early years creative consultant, researcher , author and artist educator based in the UK. He is an associate trainer for Early Education and deliverers training nationally and overseas and is also an endorsed Froebel Tutor. His work in schools is centred around nurturing children’s creativity and his practice is inspired by Froebelian principles and practice in Reggio Emilia. Pete is the UKs leading authority on woodwork in Early Years education and has written several books and journal articles, including ‘Learning Through Woodwork’ (Routledge) and books on outdoor learning. He is currently working his latest book – ‘Creativity in Practice: Nurturing creative and critical thinking in early childhood education’. He was awarded an honorary research fellowship from the University of Bristol and is currently researching the value of woodwork in early education. Pete was also awarded a Churchill Fellowship to undertake international research into best woodworking practices in education. Pete won the national award (2019) from the Creative Learning Guild for his work promoting creativity in education and is Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

A free session for parents to encourage more woodwork at home hosted on Instagram!

I have a new blog out on the RSA website –

https://www.thersa.org/discover/publications-and-articles/rsa-blogs/2019/12/the-wonder-of-woodwork

In this blog I look at the importance of woodwork in early childhood education – building confidence, especially creative and critical thinking skills well as providing a foundation for lifelong learning and incorporating all curriculum areas.

‘As children make with wood they are learning skills that will empower them to shape their world’

Researching the rich potential of creative woodwork in early childhood education
Winston Churchill Fellow 2018- update

My research abroad is now almost complete. The final leg will be to Sweden. It has been such a privilege to travel as a Churchill Fellow – and it has certainly opened up many doors. Through my trips I’ve met leading researchers at Harvard University, The mayor of Helsinki, The director of education for Finland, and many leading academics, authors and policy makers in New Zealand, as well as a great many passionate and dedicated teachers.

I have been overwhelmed by everyone’s generosity, with people often dedicating half a day of their time to being interviewed, having in-depth discussions and showing their provision. (But no-one let on just how much time it takes to set up and coordinate all these appointments!)

My research has been looking into the value of woodwork and making in early childhood education, looking at countries that have well-established provision or have innovative practice. There is wealth of rich practice out there ranging from the well-established making in Finland both in early years and primary education. Every primary school has designated technology spaces for woodwork and fabric work and their work is often directly connected to other areas of learning. In the USA the rise of the maker movement has had a phenomenal impact on education with many schools adopting ‘tinkering labs’ or ‘makerspaces’. In New Zealand woodwork is firmly established in early years settings – it was a delight to see the engagement of very young children working on their models with real tools.

Practical work is highly valued in many cultures but in the UK we have very mixed messages. The sad reality is that the majority of UK school children never get to use tools in their entire education – early years, primary or secondary.  Less than half schools in the UK even offer D&T at GCSE level and courses are being cut almost weekly due to funding and EBacc prioritisation marginalising arts and technology. Meanwhile the government is saying we need more students with practical skills and we need to encourage more students to go into manufacturing, engineering and science. In terms of early years we are also dealing with new challenges – for a generation that is learning to swipe before they can walk we desperately need more hands-on experiential learning.

From my research the value of working with tools is clear. Woodwork is a truly cross-curricular activity embracing all areas of learning. Children almost universally seem to enjoy working with tools, with hands and minds working together and we see extraordinary levels of sustained engagement with high levels of persistence. Raised self-esteem and confidence is central and all teachers highlighted just how important woodwork can be for developing children’s creative and critical thinking skills as children express their imagination and problem-solve. The benefits are truly wide ranging: increased physical development, enhanced well-being, increased sense of agency – that can-do spirit, mathematical thinking, scientific knowledge, artistic expression, craft and design thinking and all of these combine to have a profound impact on children’s learning and development. They are becoming the designers, creative thinkers, architects, engineers of tomorrow. Woodwork also provides a wonderful foundation to go on to more technical ‘making’ incorporating electronics and computing.

I have been in the fortunate position that I get to present regularly at national and regional conferences as well as deliver regular training to teachers so in that way I have almost immediately been able to share findings from my research trips and hopefully these inspire others and already start to have an impact on provision here in the UK. I am now in the process of establishing the Early Childhood Woodwork Association in the UK and The Big Bang Project to further research woodwork and promote woodwork both here in the UK and overseas. I’m looking forward to the final phase in Sweden and then working out just how I can best use this knowledge, how to best make waves in the media and how to really have the greatest impact on provision here in the UK.