1- Capacitate the whole school (principal, educators, assistants, support staff) in creating a collaborative arts-based teaching environment that nurtures creativity and 

supports each child’s ability to learn.

2- Work within the context of each school to get the best results for educators and children regardless of the environment in which

the school and community finds itself.

3- Provide the whole school with professional training to the member school. (View Yearly Breakdown)

// Professional Training Yearly Breakdown

Year 1

Five day summer professional development programme for all the staff

One day winter professional development programme for all the staff

One day leadership professional development programme for school leaders

Year 2

Three day summer professional development programme for all the staff

One day leadership professional development programme for school leaders

Year 3

Two day professional development programme for all the staff

One day leadership professional development programme for school leaders

Learning seminar

Year 4+

Professional development provided on request from schools //

4- Provide the whole school with on-going on-site A+ implementation support to the member school. The support needs are determined each year by the school staff.

(View Yearly Breakdown)

// On-going on-site A+ Implementation Support

Year 1 – 3

Implementation support to all the staff at member schools e.g. workshops

Observation visits to schools of excellence followed by an implementation workshop

Leadership support to principals and managers

Year 4+

Maintenance phase – further development and support on request from schools //

5- Collaborate with government, civil society, the arts, education, business and local communities in the interests of developing schools.

6- Generate research to inform action.

7- Belong to the international A+ Schools network.

The A+ Essentials

We are bound by a firm commitment to the eight A+ Essentials™. Years of independent research tell us that this framework effectively supports whole school transformation.

Arts

Music | drama | storytelling | the visual arts | dance & movement | creative writing. Valued as essential to the learning process, taught daily and included in planning.

2- Curriculum

A+ is not a curriculum. The arts are integrated into the school learning programme so that they complement and support the aims and outcomes of the South African national school curricula.

3- Enriched Assessment

Evaluates achievement by allowing children to demonstrate mastery through multiple means. Assessment becomes a meaningful evaluation process that is an integral part of teaching and learning.

4- Multiple Learning Pathways

Provides opportunities for learning to be absorbed in a variety of ways because nobody is the same. Accommodates different learning styles and entry levels.

5- Experiential Learning

Hands-on real world application of learning. A concrete, experiential, differentiated approach that supports the development of innovative and critical thinking.

6- Collaboration

Acknowledges and intentionally strengthens the role that parents, caregivers and communities play in their children’s development.

7- Infrastructure

Organises time, space, technology and resources to support transformative learning.

8- Climate

Teachers and children are respected, and the creative process is highly valued. Share a common vision and mission.