Jo Baldwin

I can honestly say that my favourite time spent at school was when we were allowed to immerse ourselves in a big project. Whether it was The Queen's Jubilee, the royal wedding, or even the ancient Egyptians, each provided a flashpoint of inspiration to let our imaginations run wild.

After a combination of research, storyboards and essay writing, we would end up either making something - a hat to wear to the celebrations, our own chariots, or even a poster to advertise a celebration.

Sometimes we would create a play about a famous figure and end up rewriting history. It was both magical and memorable.

However, these days, prescriptive teaching which follows the set curriculum dominates as this allows all the assessment to take place which is required by the Government. And while it serves its purpose, it's a shame to say the least, and for many reasons.

While we’re in the midst of these strange times, we are presented with a real chance to ignite imagination and let the children guide us towards intellectual development. Here’s why I think it’s a great idea.