Learning and Engagement Newsletter Summer 2025
After-school drama clubs
From the autumn, we are open for bookings for after-school drama clubs with new primary schools in Leeds.
Our drama clubs use fun, performance-based games and exercises, led by industry professionals, to help young people build confidence, communicate effectively and learn skills like teamwork. These are weekly one-hour clubs for up to 15 children across Years 3-6, costing £120 per session. Sessions are discounted for schools in certain wards.
Is your school based in: Armley, Beeston & Holbeck, Burmantofts & Richmond Hill, Chapel Allerton, Gipton & Harehills, Hunslet & Riverside, Kirkstall or Little London & Woodhouse?
We can offer a free taster session and a 50% discount on clubs to schools in these areas.
Please get in touch to discuss drama clubs for your school.
Spring highlights
Last term, we not only forged new partnerships but also had old friends visit us at Leeds Heritage Theatres.
For example, Trinity Academy Leeds returned as part of their Year 7 Empower programme to raise aspirations and provide high-quality careers education. The students toured City Varieties Music Hall and took part in our World of Work session focusing on arts careers.
Secondary school students during a World of Work workshop. Credit Chris Werrett
Performing Arts students from the college. Credit Gavin Joynt
We also ran a series of SEND-friendly workshops in the spring, including welcoming back our friends from Leeds City College for Act Like An Employee. In this workshop, we explored how drama skills can prepare young people for the world of work, whatever career path they choose.
For the very first time, students from Temple Moor High in the East SILC enjoyed a backstage tour of Leeds Grand Theatre before seeing Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Read their teachers’ feedback below!
“Thank you so much for all your staff’s support, kindness and guidance throughout the visit.”
“It was one of the most inclusive tours we’ve ever done for our students in wheelchairs.”
Teachers from East SILC
Get ahead for next year
Did you know that the summer term is our busiest time of year for projects here in the Learning and Engagement team? This means that we’re looking ahead to autumn and taking advance bookings for school workshops and work experience projects.
Early bird discount
We are offering an early bird discount on all bookings of our Primary: World of Work workshop for autumn. Book now for 10% off our theatre-based session introducing careers learning to KS2 pupils.
Find out more
Work experience
Our project-based work experience for Year 10 allows up to 15 students at once to go behind the scenes at our theatres. We are already open to expressions of interest for group placements in 2026.
Find out more
Design competition
In time for Leeds Grand Youth Theatre’s production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, we are running a competition for under 18s to design the chocolate bar for sale during the show.
Download our template here and submit your design via learning@leedsheritagetheatres.com by Mon 9 June 2025 for the chance to win free tickets and see your snack come to life.
You can also collect and return paper copies of our wrapper template via Leeds Grand Theatre Box Office (LS1 6NU), or email us your free-hand design (portrait, 12.3×8.8cm).
Coming this term
We are running a creative book club, engaging teenage girls in Years 6-8 with the story and themes of Little Women through weekly Wednesday meets at Leeds Grand Theatre (4.30-5.30pm). Each member will receive a free copy of the novel and a ticket to see the production on Tue 10 June 2025.
Apply now
Inspired by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, we are delivering a drama project for ages 8-11 called The Vanishing Factory, exploring the history of Leeds’s forgotten chocolate factory. The group will be performing at the event space in Kirkgate Market Kitchen on Sat 21 June 2025.
Read about the origins of the project
Are you looking for inspiring careers opportunities for your students? Join us virtually on Wed 25 June (3.30-5pm) for our next Careers in the Creative Industries Network meeting bringing together creative industry professionals and careers leads.
Stories from our blog
World Art Day
To mark World Art Day, we sat down with Trish Mayes, a freelance scenic artist, to shine a light on the contributions of visual artists to our sector and highlight this skillful but lesser-known role.
Read more
International Book Giving Day
Our Learning and Engagement Officer Imogen talks about the origins of her Little Women-themed project for teenage girls and the importance of reading in her life as a young person.
Read more
Leeds Heritage Theatres Engagement Fund
Every year, we work with over 10,000 young people across the city, in schools, youth groups and other sessions to help them build skills, confidence and pride through our creative learning and engagement programme. All donations to this fund will help us to continue our work and reach more people across the Leeds City Region.
