SPIRA (the Stanley Park High Research and Innovation Academy) has been created to share, spread and exemplify the school’s leading-edge practice, both internationally and nationally, through offering a programme of tours, immersion days and conferences, along with consultancy and research.
Ofsted inspectors in November 2015 described the school as “an innovative and imaginative school where pupils are very successfully prepared for their future lives”.
Through SPIRA, the school is offering visitors a range of opportunities to find out more about the school’s bespoke curriculum and unique approach, from Snapshot Tours which give an insight into the school’s innovative practices, to Immersion Tours which offer a full day’s experience of the pedagogy of Stanley Park High and in particular the school’s award-winning Excellent Futures Curriculum. SPIRA will also lead an annual conference, as well as an overseas study tour to look at innovative practice in some other European countries.
Jacquie Thomas, Director of SPIRA, said, “SPIRA aims to exemplify and spread our existing innovative practice, as well as create research into the new. In so doing, we hope to be part of a movement that encourages change, discourages factory schools and makes our schools more human.”
SPIRA is also the centre of professional development for the school’s teaching staff, with the recent Ofsted Report stating “Professional development for all staff moved into a higher gear with the recent establishment of a ‘Stanley Park Innovation and Research Academy’ (SPIRA). Leaders encourage staff to study for Masters-level degrees, develop links with primary schools and carry out action research in school.”
Head Teacher, David Taylor Stanley Park High Head teacher said. “Following our designation as a ‘One School Pathfinder’ under the ‘Building Schools for the Future Programme’, we were charged with being innovative in providing an education for the children and young people in our local community. We also had to act as a source of inspiration to other schools. SPIRA provides the structure to enable this to happen.”
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For more information about all of the school's activities go to SCHOOL