Heritage in Schools Collaborative Project 2019
3,948 pupils from 44 primary schools in Co. Kilkenny, including 2 special schools & 3 DEIS schools, got free Heritage in Schools visits in 2019. This equates to 56% of all primary schools in the county. The project was co-ordinated by the Heritage Office of Kilkenny County Council and the Heritage in Schools Coordinator, and funded by the Kilkenny Creative Ireland Programme and the Heritage Council (Heritage in Schools).
The aim of the project was to encourage & support primary school children to engage with heritage, culture & creativity. Under the expert guidance of a Heritage in Schools practitioner, the children creatively explored & learned about their local heritage and culture.
Creative work at Gathabawn Primary School (photo courtesy of Orla Bates)
We also worked in collaboration with the Creative Schools Programme (funded by the Arts Council/Creative Ireland) in Gaelscoil Osraí by providing 5 free Heritage in Schools visits. Creative Associate, Laura ní Fhlaibhín, was instrumental in supporting meaningful ways to integrate creative approaches to learning about heritage. This collaborative approach added value to both the learning about heritage, and the creativity, elements of the project.
Schools Feedback
“We really enjoyed Lorraine’s visit. She was excellent with our special students”. School of the Holy Spirit.
“Our workshop with Michelle Castiaux on Biodiversity and Creativity was inspiring and informative. The pupils thoroughly enjoyed the experience and were very positive in their feedback about the workshop with Michelle. As a teacher I found the workshop very beneficial and complemented the work we are already doing as part of our OSIE and Arts curriculum”. Gaelscoil Osraí.
Students at Gathabawn National School, Kilkenny (photo courtesy of Orla Bates)
Creative Associate & Heritage in Schools Experts Feedback
“As a Creative Associate, I was delighted to have been offered the opportunity to support a pilot programme with Heritage in Schools. Funded by Kilkenny County Council, the Heritage Council & Creative Ireland, the project centred on Kilkenny’s heritage, emphasising biodiversity, & the initiative combined resources from both the Creative Schools & Heritage in Schools Programmes. The partnership between the 2 programmes worked very successfully, & eased communication and planning between all parties.”Laura ní Fhlaibhín, Creative Associate.
“We went around the school grounds and recorded the biodiversity. We discussed bees and the importance of pollination. We made origami bees and drew the plants that they like to visit for pollen. Great day & excellent feedback”. Michèle Castiaux.
