Creative Collaboration Brings the New Welsh Curriculum to Life to Celebrate Local Welsh Heritage

18 July 2023

Through an innovative collaboration of schools, community organisations, and volunteers, the International Institute for Creative Entrepreneurial Development (IICED) at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) launched a project aimed at enriching local heritage and cultural knowledge.

Children sit cross-legged on the green in front of Oystermouth Castle.

The project at Osytermouth Castle aimed to bring the four purposes of the new curriculum to life through the concept of Cynefin – the relationship between people, place, heritage, and identity.

This ambitious endeavour promotes an experiential learning approach towards Cynefin and the new ‘Successful Futures’ curriculum. Students are invited to explore Swansea’s 12th-century history, centred around the Battle of Gower on Garngoch Common. This historical event, a milestone in Welsh history, will serve as a cornerstone for student research and peer-led learning.

Going beyond the confines of classrooms, this project empowers students to share their findings with the wider community, instilling a sense of pride and ownership over Wales’s rich cultural legacy. The initiative enlists the support of local experts, the Council, Library Service, Friends of Osytermouth Castle, Gwerin y Gwyr, and more.

Alison Williams, the Head of Penyrheol Primary said: “We have come together as professional educators to share our experience to create the curriculum we know our pupils need and we are collaborating with the University and international experts to help us make sure that we deliver powerful meaningful inclusive learning experiences to bring the new curriculum to life.

“We know we have ambitious capable learners in Swansea, and we are developing opportunities for pupils to show just what brilliant enterprising creative contributors they can be. Look at the inspiring views from the Castle - what a fabulous location for a community classroom!”

The project’s launch event invited attendees to explore an exhibition featuring initial student research. Attendees were encouraged to provide feedback, fostering an environment of constructive improvement.

The coordinator of the initiative, Hazel Israel of IICED, UWTSD, emphasized the importance of community participation in education.

She said: “It takes a village to raise a child. In collaboration with Swansea Council and schools, the University is mobilising a Team Swansea, Team Wales approach to bringing the new curriculum and four purposes to life.”

“Our pupils are taking the role of community historians, using their learning to create social and cultural value for themselves, in, with and for their communities. This not only enriches our shared understanding of local heritage but also cultivates a sense of ownership and responsibility for our shared cultural resources and enables learning to use local people and places as resources to make sure our new curriculum in Wales can be the best in the world.”

Three primary-school-aged children dressed up in cloaks with plastic swords and crowns.

Nicola Powell, INSPIRE Civic Engagement Development Officer at UWTSD said:”The event was a resounding success with UWTSD, Local Authority Representatives and Schools working together to create a fun-filled, historical educational experience for the young people in the local community and utilising a green space. It was great to see pictures and stories created by the young people showing an understanding of sense of place and local history and supporting teachers to develop action research skills to bring the new curriculum to life.”

The project covers diverse areas beyond history and geography, such as science, technology, and expressive arts. Innovative approaches include the application of VR technology and sustainable energy practices, providing a rich, well-rounded exploration of local heritage and the use of solar panel capes by energy warriors.

Pupils will further refine their projects based on the received feedback, culminating in a digital book. This resource, to be shared with local libraries, will be instrumental in teaching future classes about the Battle of Gower. In addition, pupils have teamed up with Gower College Swansea to create a 3D VR map of the Castle, making it accessible to individuals who can’t physically visit the location.

Have a look at the what the pupils have created with the help of digital learning staff from GCS to help people to learn about and experience the Castle and keep your eyes peeled for the battle of Gower immersion room experience at UWTSD SA1 campus and published books containing the pupil learning at a local library near you.

With thanks to IICED UWTSD, Swansea Council, GCS, Friends of Oystermouth Castle, Gwerin y Gwyr, Bantani Cymru, Awel Aman Tawe, Swansea Library Service, Penyrheol Comp, Penyrheol primary, Pontybrenin, Gorseinon, Casllwchwr, Tre Uchaf, Whitestone and Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr.

For further information about this unique initiative and opportunities for involvement, please contact h.israel@uwtsd.ac.uk.