Big Wide Talk is an independent uniquely skilled organisation that reaches out to and speaks with children, parents and practitioners where they live and work, strategically connecting them to government. We are committed to documenting debate about children’s lives, regardless of race, religion, politics or gender and to raising awareness about inequality and the ways in which it can be redressed.

We use a problem-solving approach rooted in participative action research and sustained deliberative dialogue. In this way we deliver services in partnership with local authorities, schools, and other public bodies that address many of the issues that confound existing solutions: the gap in educational achievement between the poorest and better off children; the reconciliation of family and employment; the inclusion of children with disabilities, and the eradication of child poverty.

News
“It was the best day of my life, better than Legoland!” - Jonah, Oakington Primary School; “The children haven’t stopped raving about it,” Kris Cairns, parent, “what a great experience.”
"We both had an absolute whale of a time" - Vix Ford, parent
"My eyes are on stalks!" - Ros Hicks, QCA
“I’ve just got back from our third visit to the Cloth Place.” – Rebecca Chicot, parent
"I think this should be compulsory for all primary school children in Cambridge." - Barbara Quail, teacher, St Laurence's Primary
"I'd like to volunteer and to be a part of this" - Kate Lowe, parent
Children, their parents and practitioners are doing exciting things in the old Habitat Building in Cambridge. Eleven Cambridgeshire Primary Schools have taken part and we are now beginning to work with them to make best use of the hours of wonderful footage captured. Over the summer the Big Wide Talk team will analyse the footage and information derived from the myriad conversations to offer some proposals for debate at our next seminar to be held in Cambridge in September.

Enjoying and Achieving in Cambridgeshire

On the 18th June at 7.30pm, five Cambridgeshire Primary schools (St Laurence's, Mayfield, The Grove, Orchards and Castle) and the Montessori Nursery at Gamlingay presented their stories about their experience of The Colourbox, another Big Wide Talk Theatre of Learning held in March 2009. David Howarth MP (see right) and Mary Jane Drummond also spoke about the importance of hands-on learning outside the classroom. The stories will shortly be published here; watch this space!
Day by day people are stopping to talk, old and young, parents or not. People are seeing children express themselves in their midst, not separated out behind school gates. Local radio and the press have also joined in. The Documentation Centre on the second floor is buzzing with focused dialogue prompted by the film footage of what children actually do and say when enabled to choose what they wish to do themselves.
"The Cloth Place is a success on every level and sets a precedent for the future use of empty buildings across the UK. Children stand to lose most if our economy goes under and here we see how putting children centre stage can unite people from very different parts of our community. People are making big efforts to get children here and the children are rewarding them with their sheer excitement and zest for life." - Ann Jamieson CEO Big Wide Talk
Michael Wiseman (Director of the Grafton Centre) said of the project, "we’re just delighted that this great building is being enjoyed by local people and their children. We’re glad to be of service to the community."

A new primary curriculum for your children?

"It has been at least 10 years since the primary curriculum was reviewed and changed and it was well overdue for a rethink. In 2008, the Government asked Sir Jim Rose a prominent education expert to review it and provide recommendations on how it should be changed. His review has been completed and consultation has now begun on a proposed new primary curriculum for your children."
Thus begins the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA)/ Department for Children Schools and Families (DCSF) invitation to consultation with parents. As part of this national consultation Big Wide Talk is helping QCA run focus groups with parents. Those of you who have taken part in recent Big Wide Talk Theatres of Learning, The Colourbox and The Cloth Place, have seen what children actually do and say when they are free to choose what they learn. This experience may give you a sound platform from which to discuss possible options for change.
If you have children of primary school age or who have recently been through primary school and would like to take part in the 9th July focus group at 9:30am, please telephone 01223 364727 or email events@bigwidetalk.org to book your place. If you are unable to attend but would like to register your views on the QCA online survey, please click here.
The focus group will be chaired by Ros Hicks from QCA and will be held at 17 Fitzroy Street, Cambridge CB1 1ER, the shop that used to be Habitat.

 

COMING SOON: The Morecambe Bay Theatre of Learning! Click here to read the prospectus > > >