A POTTERS Bar school has been given £40,000 to promote creative teaching across the country.

As one of 26 "schools of creativity" in England, The Wroxham School, in Wroxham Gardens, will carry out research to develop innovative ways to teach creatively.

It will also help to shape national-level policy through partnership with other schools and creative groups.

The school was chosen from more than 100 applicants for the programme. It will be given £20,000 per year for two years, plus an education consultant to help develop and promote creative learning programmes.

The scheme aims to raise educational standards and develop skills that employers say they need, including the ability to question, innovate, problem solve and reflect critically.

Alison Peacock, headteacher at The Wroxham School, said: “We are very excited about becoming a school of creativity.

"We have a highly innovative, inclusive ethos at Wroxham and this grant will give us the opportunity to work in close partnership with other schools to explore a creative approach to learning in all areas of the curriculum.”

The Creative Partnership programme is managed by the Government organisation Creativity, Culture and Education (CCE), which has worked with almost 5,000 schools across England.

A survey by the organisation revealed that seven out of ten secondary head teachers believe the scheme helps to improve pupil behaviour in their schools.

Paul Collard, CCE chief executive, said: “The Wroxham School is already a leader in the field of creative learning and, by working with 'schools of creativity', it can progress its own journey of transformation as well as influencing its local schools and the national agenda.

"It is a fantastic achievement for The Wroxham School to be selected from over 100 applicants and with their help we look forward to embedding the partnership practices across the country.”