Abstract

In this presentation, I will critically explore the literature on ‘creative learning’ and why it was an imperative to research and theorise this topic for my PhD. A key interest of the study was creative learning in children’s family homes, most particularly in ethnic minority immigrant family homes. I explain the necessity of repositioning myself as a researcher. It was important not to be ‘doing fieldwork’ but, instead, as a critically reflexive researcher to acknowledge the challenge of seeking/unravelling/understanding. I present how I used arts-based research tools and reflexive journal entries to do this.

Dr James Biddulph BA(Hons.) PGCE MA M Ed PhD FRSA MCCT has been a primary school teacher since 2001 and is now the first Head Teacher of the University of Cambridge Primary School, the first University Training School for Primary in the UK. Prior to this he started and was the Head teacher of a new Hindu faith school in East London. In 2002, his creative approach to teaching gained him Advanced Skills Teachers (AST) status in Music and in 2003 he was awarded ‘Outstanding New Teacher of the Year for London’. He completed his PhD in 2017 which focused on creative learning in ethnic minority immigrant children’s family homes.