Yesterday I visited St
Thomas' Catholic Primary School in Sevenoaks to deliver a taster of our
developmental drama classes to its pupils. I had a really great time; the
staff and students at St Thomas's are always really friendly and welcoming. They
are also really receptive to our drama programme and very supportive of the
classes we run there after school on Thursdays.
Throughout the year,
I visit a variety of local primary schools to provide free drama workshops
lasting between 30 minutes and 1 hour. Each class that I see participates
in a sample lesson from our programme, which is designed to:
* DEVELOP ONGOING
CONFIDENCE * BUILD SELF ESTEEM
* BE EMPOWERED
VERBALLY * ENCOURAGE ATTENTIVE
LISTENING
* MAKE NEW FRIENDS * GROW CREATIVELY * ACT IN PLAYS * HAVE BAGS OF FUN!
These
aims are achieved through a highly developed, original, drama programme. Each
lesson is carefully planned. A typical lesson can include introductory
activities, speech, verbal dynamics, creative movement, mimes to music,
language development, structured improvisation, dialogue development, snippets,
a play, scene starters and mini-scripts.
During
the time I spent at St Thomas's yesterday, with a little imaginative thinking,
some creative ideas and language we turned the school hall into a waxwork
museum and a stadium for motorbike champions.
I
always encourage the teaching staff to watch and participate in the workshop
with their class. Teachers will often comment on how much they and their
class have enjoyed the session. It is sometimes an eye-opener for
them to see how students who may be quiet in the setting of the classroom react differently
and more confidently within the structure of the drama session.
Next
week I am visiting two Primary schools in Bickley and very much look
forward to working with them.
Helen
Helen Walls,
Principal