Joint winners of the 2007 award were: Mary Fawcett and Wendy Whittaker/Val Melnyczuk. Many congratulations to them were expressed at the November Conference for the quality of their work in relation to 'Innovative Learning Journeys'. (More information to follow).

The Innovative Learning Journey Award of £500 will be presented annually to any member of TACTYC who demonstrates innovation, imagination or originality in stimulating learning for children, practitioners - or both! DOWNLOAD YOUR APPLICATION FORM HERE!

What is TACTYC looking for?

• Do you feel that in the last year or two you have made a contribution to the learning journeys of young children or of adult(s) by working and playing with them through a project you have initiated and sustained? Could you describe or illustrate the impact of this work on these participants?
• Can you illustrate what you have learned on this journey?
• You'll need to do both of the above but we're sure you can.

What might you have done? Here are a few examples:

• involvement of children and young people in decision making and/or policy development;
• involvement of children and young people in research or action research;
• introduction of new approaches to pedagogy in the early years;
• engagement with learners in a new curriculum area, e.g. philosophy, a foreign language, social/emotional development...and so on;
• introduction of a new look to an established curriculum area or re-structured the learning space(s) in the classroom/setting;
• development of innovative multi-professional practices;
• specific and carefully planned promotion of diversity and equality;
• development of innovative practice in relation to a new or current initiative.

and many more we are sure . . .

Why this focus? We want to:

• Encourage the documenting and presenting of effective, reflective and creative ideas and innovations in stimulating learning amongst children and/or adults;
• Demonstrate how particular approaches to teaching and learning have stimulated high quality learning outcomes;
• Disseminate outstanding practices in stimulating learning that might otherwise not be available;
• Celebrate the creativity and innovation that abounds in the early years

How might you demonstrate your achievements?

• Through a course module and its outcomes
• Through a booklet or portfolio
• Through a book made with children
• Through a CD ROM or a video or DVD
• Through photographs and commentary
• And in many other ways...

Remember we also want you to illustrate/evaluate what you have learned
In a paper of around 1,000 words tell us:

• what you are doing that's different and why;
• what you have learned about children's learning or social interactions or emotional development . . . and more;
• what you have learned about supporting your colleagues' development;

Any of the above and other personal development experiences can be briefly written up and/or illustrated in a range of ways - just be innovative!

Who can apply?
The award is open to all TACTYC members. Members may make a joint submission.

How to apply
Submit your piece of work in writing to: Dr. Claire Mould by the 1st August in any year. Her address is: SCAlchemy Training and Development Ltd., 1st Floor, 54 Foregate Street, Worcester, WR1 1DX (0190 521440).

While we cannot undertake to return submissions we will return winner's submissions at our annual conference when we make the award and make all other submissions available at the conference for viewing and collection.