‘You can’t rush creativity…’
The bell goes – rush to registration, “here,Miss!”… Yes, A4E has gone back to school. Manning School for Girls in Nottingham is playing host to the A4E programme this week and has already had an exciting two days. And not a detention in sight!
Tuesday morning
Up three flights of stairs (puff) to Room 304, Miss Hodgson’s room. Great views over the city. The walls are adorned with encouraging quotes and comments, all aimed at inspiring the students. And it works. Twenty four eager pupils file into the classroom, curious to see what they have all been specially selected for. All seated, the room goes quiet.
First, an introduction from A4E Project Manager and former Manning Head Girl, Veda Harrison. “Coming back here is a real privilege,” she says. “Get involved, ask questions and be curious!” Rick Hall from A4E project partner Ignite Futures intoduces himself, as does project facilitators and leaders Catherine Grieg, Architect and Chrys Allen, Artist. Supporting the team are students from Nottingham Trent University School of Architecture, Marwa Derouiche and Steven Ehue.
An exploration of the community surrounding the school in Aspley is planned for the three days. But something out of the ordinary.
Chrys begins with a sensory exercise which gets the group imaginations and memories working. ” Smells like my dad when he gets home from work.” comments Megan. (She didn’t get the pot that smelled of lavender, then).
Then we’re off on a walking tour of the local area; past homes, many older residents on mobility scooters and past the ‘government building’ a group of very uninspiring buildings, surrounding by high security fences. ” Like locking life away,” Joy says. True poetry.
Down to Beechdale Road, the tour continues past the local shops, more mobility scooters and under an old railway bridge to a small derelict park. The tour inspires lots of comments and questions on return to school and the pupils are asked to note down their observations using a ‘visual musical score’. A messy, charcoal exercise that produces beautiful colourful pictures. So much productivity before lunch. Fantastic!
Tuesday afternoon
Back from lunch and the work continues. Next, a exercise using old maps of the local area from the 1900s, 1930s and 1960s. The students are ask to find Manning School, which is not easy when the area was covered in fields. Working in teams they are then asked to look at how the maps have changed and what they would like to bring back. But they need to consider who lives and works in the area and how it would impact on them. The day ends with much debate and discussion, and then the bell goes. A4E’s first day back at school comes to an end.
