Warwickshire school children perform in the National Shakespeare Schools Festival
On 22 November, Warwickshire schools performed at Warwick Arts Centre as part of the Shakespeare Schools Festival (SSF): the world's largest youth drama festival. The festival itself has 30,000 young people from 1,132 schools involved as either performers, backstage technicians, or student directors.
Above: Claverdon Primary School performing Romeo and Juliet
Claverdon Primary School, completed their journey with the Shakespeare Schools Festival with a very successful 30 minute production of Romeo and Juliet (using original Shakespearean language). They had an acting cast of 30 with two technical students involved in creating and implementing the lighting effects for their performance. Children and staff worked on the project over several months, allocating some time each week to creating their version of the play.
Rebecca said, "I was really nervous before, but now I would do it all over again. It has boosted my confidence."
Henry said, "It was really inspiring to be given tips by a professional director and actor."
All the staff and children enjoyed being involved in the project, it has helped the children grow closer together in the way they work and interact and all have gained confidence.
Shipston Primary and Brailes C of E Primary performed their version of The Tempest in a joint collaboration.
Alec, 9 years old from Brailes, who played the lead role of Prospero said, "If we could, I would do that again right now because I had an extraordinary time."
Above: Shipston and Brailes performing The Tempest
Audiences also enjoyed productions of Antony & Cleopatra from Round Oak Special School and A Midsummer Night’s Dream from Shrubland Street Primary.
Round Oak Broad Spectrum School put on a performance that won great praise from resident SSF director Matt who said the skillful use of costumes and lighting reminded him of a Hollywood epic movie. He also commended the use of a filmed extract, a new innovation in his experience of the Shakespeare Schools Festival. The pupils, who ranged in age from 14 to 18, had a wonderful day:
"I had lots of fun and had a great time” Lauren
“I enjoyed the acting warm ups” Connor
Shrubland Street Primary School have participated in the Shakespeare Schools Festival for the past three years using Shakespeare as a focus for the Year 5 English curriculum. Deputy Head Teacher Mr Wright explains 'It gives the children a great opportunity to learn about Shakespeare and get to grips with some of the language. All of the children love the experience of performing at an iconic venue and you certainly get to see a different side of some children'.
'I just loved working together with my classmates in a different place' Josh
'All the music and the lights and being on stage was awesome' Freya
Over 1/4 million young people have taken part in Shakespeare Schools Festival since it began 16 years ago. For further information visit: http://www.ssf.uk.com
Google expedition visits Claverdon School
On Wednesday 23rd November Claverdon pupils explored the Pyramids, wandered around our Capital City, discovered Roman ruins, and experienced a lunar landing. This was the Google Expedition Experience.
To join the Google Expedition experience, a box arrives in school with everything you need to travel: a tablet for the teacher, and cardboard viewers and phones for every student. Next, the teacher selects a destination, and the entire classroom jumps there automatically. You could be in Petra strolling through the ancient city; you could be flying through the universe observing the planets or in the middle of a volcano. You feel as if you are right there! The virtual reality is just amazing as it is so vivid and dramatic.
Children’s imaginations are fired by such memorable experiences. The teacher is in control of the setting using an IPad but children choose where they look. On Wednesday Claverdon pupils explored the Pyramids, wandered around our Capital City, discovered Roman ruins, and experienced a lunar landing.
While nothing replaces hopping on the bus for a field trip, Expeditions enables teachers to take their classes on virtual reality trips around the world, providing an unparalleled opportunity for supplemental learning. This technology immerses pupils in experiences that bring abstract concepts to life and gives pupils a deeper understanding of the world beyond the classroom. These trips are collections of virtual reality panoramas of 3D images and video and ambient sounds, all annotated with details, points of interest, and questions that make them easy to integrate into curriculum already used in schools.
Claverdon children had an excellent day and were truly immersed in the experience of going round the world with virtual reality. Sienna (Y6) said ‘I really enjoyed it because it felt like I was actually there instead of in our school hall’; Chloe (Y6) added ‘It felt like you were there in real life’. All the children learned a lot whilst having lots of fun, Stefan (Y3) said ‘I thought it was an amazing experience and I really enjoyed it’
This technology immerses students in experiences that bring abstract concepts to life and gives students a deeper understanding of the world beyond the classroom. These trips are collections of virtual reality panoramas of 3D images and video and ambient sounds, all annotated with details, points of interest, and questions that make them easy to integrate into curriculum already used in schools.
This technology immerses students in experiences that bring abstract concepts to life and gives students a deeper understanding of the world beyond the classroom. These trips are collections of virtual reality panoramas of 3D images and video and ambient sounds, all annotated with details, points of interest, and questions that make them easy to integrate into curriculum already used in schools.
Quick news round up
Sydenham Primary School
All 330 pupils at the school contributed to the production of their own storybook 'The Unique Unicorn' with the help of children’s author Lee Sterrey. The book has received a special commendation in the 2016 Arts & Minds competition - an annual UK-wide competition aimed at promoting race equality and diversity in schools.
Bishopton Primary School
The school has undergone a £2.7m expansion to become a two form entry school and increase its potential pupil intake to 420. The expansion includes an enlargement of the current assembly hall, a new area of car parking and eight additional classrooms.
If you have any news you’d like to share in Heads Up, please send it to schoolpartnerships@warwickshire.gov.uk.