Conference 2008

Creativity - more than you may imagine . . . story, ritual, memory, and the making of minds

Join us over the weekend of 3-5 October at Oriel College, Oxford
It's your chance to work with some of the world's leading drama practitioners and to share ideas with other classroom teachers.
It's your opportunity to stimulate your mind, refresh your thinking and hone your practice ready to face the challenge of change - and to do all this amid glorious surroundings and invigorating company.

Creativity is the new buzz word in education but what do we really mean by that? What is creativity and what is the relationship between creativity, imagination and memory? And how do we, as teachers and artists working with young people, create the conditions within which creativity can flourish? How do we respond to the child's novel idea when it appears to make our hours of planning redundant?

Our conference this year will be an opportunity for all of us to explore these questions. We're delighted to have internationally acclaimed keynote speakers and workshop leaders to guide us. Kieran Egan, whose groundbreaking work is influencing thousands of teachers, has crossed the Atlantic to share with us his work on imagination and story in learning. Jonathan Sharples, Deputy Director of the Institute for the Future of the Mind at Oxford University, will bring his experience as a leading neuroscientist to our conference so that we may contextualise our exploration of creativity within the newest knowledge of the brain. He'll be looking also at the way in which digital technology may be shaping how our minds develop. Luke Abbott, instrumental in liberating teachers from a narrow curriculum, will be able to speak with authority about the possibilities opening up to teachers to work creatively and with integrity.

Our in-depth, practice based, workshops are led by outstanding practitioners. Dorothy Heathcote, the inspirational teacher who has worked with children and their teachers around the globe, will be with us. Brian Woolland, Maggie Hulson, Chris Ball, Mark Wheeller, Kate Katafiasz, leading authorities in educational Drama, and all of whom can draw on many years work with young people across the age and ability spectrum, will be leading workshops too. We're delighted that Wasim Kurdi, Director of the Qattan Centre for Educational Research will be with us. Wasim can be credited with introducing Drama in Education to teachers in the Middle East and his experience of working with teachers unfamiliar with Drama is invaluable. Duncan Bathgate's work at Bealings School has transformed it into a beacon for educators everywhere. Ondrie Mann, a geographer, has taken Drama and used it to develop a new curriculum model for KS3 at Kingstone School.

We're delighted that Theatr Powys, in collaboration with Chris Cooper, artistic Director of "Big Brum TIE, will be opening the conference with their latest work.

So, whether you are a Drama specialist working with 'A' level students or a KS1 teacher using drama for the first time or an artist working with young people, you'll find plenty to interest you and contribute to your professional development. Join us as we continue to develop new ways to use drama, to probe the centrality of story for human meaning making, in the curriculum of the future.

Creativity - more than you may imagine . . . brings you the best in professional development

in-depth workshops with leading practitioners
inspiring and provocative keynote speakers
the best conference bookshop ever - in association with London Drama

For more information about all our contributors, Oriel College, how to book your place, our easy payment scheme, and regular news updates check www.natdconference.blogspot.com