National law firm Browne Jacobson is to sponsor inspirational training sessions for Nottingham primary school teachers to support the Hoodwinked education and learning programme, Robin’s Tales.
Robin’s Tales will bring the Robin Hood legend to life for pupils at city primary schools and aims to excite children about literacy and the arts.
The contribution from Browne Jacobson will finance three literacy training days for teachers at participating schools, giving them more skills and ideas to improve reading comprehension and to encourage children to read for pleasure. This training will be delivered by the Literacy Trust. There will also be Arts Award and Arts Mark training for teachers, delivered in partnership with The Mighty Creatives.
The Robin’s Tales programme complements the Hoodwinked public art sculpture trail, which will be a highlight of this summer in Nottingham. The education programme will inspire schools to decorate BookBenches, which will be displayed in public places as part of the Hoodwinked trail. Afterwards, they will be returned to school as a permanent reminder of their involvement in Hoodwinked. Schools will also receive an education pack with creative ideas and resources aligned to both the National Curriculum and Arts Award.
Sarah Walker-Smith, Chief Operating Officer at Browne Jacobson, commented:
“As a Nottingham headquartered business, we are committed and passionate about investing in our local community and leaving a lasting legacy in the city.
“This project, along with our commitment to ChalleNGe, a unique cultural education partnership between various education organisations and businesses across the city, and our involvement in the refurbishment project of iconic landmark Nottingham Castle are the perfect platforms to support this as well as help promote the economic, cultural and social vibrancy that Nottingham has to offer. We are delighted to be part of this exciting initiative.”
Partner and Head of Education at Browne Jacobson, Mark Blois, added:
“Browne Jacobson works in close partnership with many schools and education organisations across Nottingham in an advisory capacity so it is fantastic to be able to support local schools further through our involvement with the Hoodwinked education and learning programme. This will enable us to support teachers in encouraging greater participation in art and literacy as well as giving them the tools to help students improve their reading comprehension skills.”
Browne Jacobson also becomes the latest company to sponsor a unique robin sculpture for the Hoodwinked public art trail, which will run from 7 July until 30 September.
Councillor Dave Trimble, Nottingham City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, said: “We welcome this tremendous support from Browne Jacobson. The company is demonstrating its real commitment to the city not only by sponsoring a sculpture but by supporting these additional Continuing Professional Development days for primary school teachers across the city.”
Councillor Sam Webster, Nottingham City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Business, Education and Skills, said: “The training will help teachers ensure that their pupils get the best possible enjoyment and longstanding benefits from Robin’s Tales. It’s a fantastic programme that has potential to boost children’s literacy and enjoyment of the arts in a memorable way while bringing the Robin Hood legend to life. Ensuring that teachers have access to high-quality ideas and inspiration is crucial to its success and we are very grateful to Browne Jacobson for pledging its support.”
Hoodwinked is led by Nottingham City Council in partnership with Wild in Art, a leading creative producer of spectacular free public art events through the creation of uniquely-painted sculptures.
The decorated BookBenches will complement a trail of around 30 decorated robin sculptures, each sponsored by a business. The sculptures are all based on an identical mould but each one will be unique, designed and painted by an artist.
Money will be raised for the Hoodwinked charity partner, Nottinghamshire Hospice, with an auction of the sculptures in October 2018.
Schools who wish to sign up to take part in Robin’s Tales should contact gareth@oppnotts.org.uk or andrew.smith@collegest.org.uk by the deadline of 16 February.