Press Release
Date: Wednesday 9 June 2004 (NR/15/04)
P7 pupils learn how to take their dream and ‘Make It Real’
Primary School children have been creating their very own town communities complete with mini-businesses. It is all part of an innovative pilot project initiated in January 2004 by CCEA and the NEELB in five schools in the North Eastern Education and Library Board.
The children learn about making financial and lifestyle choices whilst working as a community group to ensure their town is governed properly and carry out assignments as a business team.
The pupils will be guests of honour today at a special event in Antrim Board Centre, organised by CCEA and NEELB. Local TV personality, Frank Mitchell, will present the pupils with certificates and ask them for their feedback on the project at today’s event in Antrim Board Centre, where some of the children’s work will also be on display.
Cecil Holmes, Principal Officer for Curriculum Development at the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment, comments:
“By bringing real life into the classroom, the ‘Make It Real Game’ has provided these children with an excellent insight into what it means to be part of a working community.
The ‘Make It Real Game’ is an excellent tool for
helping children understand the different ways in which they can make
learning and life choices. Most importantly, the game engages children
by making learning relevant and fun.
The interactive exercises allow the children to develop their teamwork,
decision-making, problem-solving and communication skills whilst having
fun and building positive relationships with their classmates, teachers
and local business people.”
Verona Hassan, Assistant Adviser for Business Education at the North Eastern
Education and Library Board, comments:
“The Board is delighted that its schools are the first in Northern Ireland to introduce the Make it Real programme to their pupils. The programme is a very good vehicle for developing the skills that employers are looking for as well as covering the important areas of languages, English and citizenship”.
“The pupils in all of the five schools have shown some amazing creativity in coming up with their ideal mini-communities. The Board would commend them and their teachers for taking part in the Make it Real Game. We are looking forward to extending this to a further group of schools in September”.
The pilot project schools are All Saints PS, Ballymena, Balnamore PS, Ballymoney, Castledawson PS, D H Christie Memorial PS, Coleraine, and Spires Integrated PS, Magherafelt.
Make It Real Game:
The ‘Make It Real Game’ is a Canadian-based resource that has been adapted and used in countries throughout the world.
The game allows children to develop and practice skills such as communication, problem-solving, decision-making and teamwork. These are central to the concepts of employability and citizenship, which CCEA has recommended should be incorporated into all stages of the Northern Ireland Curriculum. The ‘Make It Real Game’ therefore allows children to develop the confidence, skills and knowledge needed to contribute positively to the Northern Ireland economy and to their local and global communities.
Make It Real Game Celebration Day:
Antrim Board Centre (17 Lough Road, Antrim, BT41 4DG)
Wednesday 9 June 2004 at 10.15am – 1.15pm
Order of events:
| 10.15 am | Arrival, Tea and Coffee – chance for guests to view displays of pupils’ work |
| 10.30 am | Welcome and Introduction (Verona Hassan, NEELB and Cecil Holmes, CCEA) |
10.40 am
|
Frank Mitchell asks children for their feedback on the project and presents certificates. Dance and drama production by Spires Integrated Primary School |
| 12.10 pm | Lunch |
| 1.15 pm | Close |
Each school will prepare a display of their work so that invited guests can see some of the activities and learning that took place.
Spires Integrated Primary School will also give a short presentation of drama and Japanese dance which they developed as part of their business assignment.
The statutory regulation of external qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is available on the CCEA website at www.ccea.org.uk It has been sent to all 114 awarding bodies which have qualifications accredited to the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) and is also relevant for sector bodies, Sector Skills Councils, professional bodies and organisations involved in the delivery of accredited qualifications.
Media enquiries to Ruth Maguire on (028) 9026 1216, Mobile 07796947993. E mail rhmaguire@ccea.org.uk
ENDS
Note to Editors
CCEA is the Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment.
CCEA places learners and those who have a concern for their educational and personal development at the forefront of its thinking. CCEA's mission is:
"To enable the full potential of all learners to be achieved and recognised"
What we do
CCEA is a unique educational body in the UK , bringing together the three areas of curriculum, examinations and assessment.
Advising Government – on what should be taught in Northern Ireland ’s schools and colleges.
Monitoring Standards – ensuring that the qualifications and examinations offered by awarding bodies in Northern Ireland are of an appropriate quality and standard.
Awarding Qualifications
– as Northern Ireland’s leading awarding body we offer a diverse range of qualifications, such as GCSEs, including the new GCSE Double Award specifications in vocational subjects, GCE A and AS levels, Entry Level Qualifications, and Graded Objectives in Modern Languages.
- CCEA also offers a range of Awards and Certificates in Education, Training and Skills (ACETS) targeted at learners who want to get
the knowledge, understanding and skills needed
to hit the ground running in the world of work.
