Using virtual reality technology in the classroom, setting up outdoor ‘mountain’ schools and the benefits offered by Lego therapy are just some of the techniques that will be explored when more than 800 teachers, pupils, educators, trainers and employers gather in Bridgend County Borough for a unique Festival of Learning.
Taking place between 25–29 June, the festival is designed to showcase some of the new and innovative learning and teaching methods that are being used at schools throughout the county borough.
It will seek to encourage schools to share their experiences and knowledge with one another while establishing new training opportunities for teachers and staff.
Throughout the week, schools across the area will host up to 100 workshops which will demonstrate how the latest modern classroom developments are being used to benefit local children alongside traditional numeracy and literacy techniques.
A symposium event at Bridgend College on Wednesday 28 June featuring key speakers and a Q&A panel will give educators an opportunity to focus on how the health and well-being of pupils can be developed, maintained and improved.
This will be followed by a Learners’ Day at Bridgend Life Centre on Thursday 29 June where pupils from local schools will set up stalls and offer displays and practical demonstrations of some of the classroom techniques that are in use.
The event will also include an address from Professor Sally Holland, Children’s Commissioner for Wales.
The last few years have seen some remarkable developments in technology as well as new trends and insights into the health and well-being of children.
As educators, it is important that we keep abreast of this, and take full advantage of every opportunity for finding new ways of supporting children as they learn, grow and flourish.
The Festival of Learning is designed to help us achieve this aim by bringing organisations together so that they can share knowledge, gain fresh insights and take what they learn back with them.
Councillor Charles Smith, Cabinet Member for Education and Regeneration
“It will benefit those who teach as well as those who learn, and I am looking forward to the unique opportunities that the Festival of Learning will offer.”
Council Leader Huw David said “The Festival of Learning is the first of its kind in Wales and offers a fantastic opportunity to share knowledge and develop new ways of supporting children.
“I am proud that Bridgend County Borough is hosting it, and hope that it will grow and spread so that other parts of the country can benefit from its insights and developments.”
Among the organisations taking part in the Festival of Learning are Bridgend County Borough Council, Welsh Government, Estyn, the Office of the Children’s Commissioner, Bridgend College, Cardiff University, University of South Wales, the Central South Consortium Joint Education Service, Public Health Wales, Wellbeing In Secondary Education and the Art of Brilliance.
