For International Day of Education, we’re taking a look at the ways our Learning and Engagement team has been pushing the boundaries of what teaching and educating can look like. Keep reading to find out more about how we’re using the arts to empower and inspire the young people who visit our venues.
Written by Aaron Cawood and Learning and Engagement Administrator Sophie Ashley
“Some of the curriculum can’t be taught through the arts!”
While working through every aspect of a curriculum, it can seem easy to draw a line between arts subjects and STEM subjects. Through our workshops and tours, our team has been exploring the ways that the two can be used collaboratively, which has included running Continuing Professional Development days with teachers to expand the use of drama and performance skills in the classroom every day.
As well as history-based workshops exploring the background of our three venues, our Learning and Engagement team has spent time developing school workshops that apply the curriculum to our real-world case study; theatre and the arts.
Our theatre-based workshop Spotlights and Sound Effects brings science to life through the stage. Using the example of live performance allows students to explore how light works practically, how shadows are formed, and how this can affect mood. During a theatre tour, children can see all of this at play in real life. We use our industry-standard lighting rig to dive into these concepts at the theatre. When delivering similar science-focused sessions in schools, we have used a shadow puppet model of Hyde Park Picture House instead.
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We create an immersive learning experience linked to the English curriculum in Imaginary Settings. Diving into texts for learners in KS1 and above, this workshop draws from drama practitioners and on the inspiring backdrop of our venues to support young people in developing their imagination and communication skills, tied directly to curriculum requirements. Where possible, we get children on stage during a theatre tour to experience the link between a story on a page and performing a story with your body.
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“Learning about theatre is only for people who want to perform!”
Despite common misconceptions, there’s a large variation of job opportunities in and around the arts. A theatre is a good location for careers education as a whole, not just to learn about performing roles. As well as embracing the power of the performing arts, our team has also spent time showcasing non-performing roles across our venues, in a way that educates and inspires young people.
In partnership with University Centre Leeds of Leeds City College, we have been working to train the next generation of theatre technicians. Our focus in this has been to support young people to be industry-ready and to offer practical skills development opportunities, with the skills gap in our industry in mind. Their first term of training resulted in the students gaining paid work through the festive pantomime season as Assistant Stage Manager, Lighting Assistant and Follow Spot Operator.
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Through our Careers Workshop, like our World of Work for KS3 and comprehensive work experience weeks, we’ve been able to help young people embrace non-performing roles, spanning from theatre-specific roles to roles that are more rooted in business, such as marketing and finance. Giving young people the opportunity to interact with professionals in this space proved productive for their development and inspiring.
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And of course, we embrace the performing roles too. Leeds Actors in Training is a studio-based vocational programme, aimed at those aged 18-25, with a focus on developing a professional toolkit that aspiring performers can carry forward into the working world. From showreels to showcases, this group allows young people to explore performance in a way most suited to their career aspirations and specific skills.
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“It’s more productive to control creativity in the classroom!”
While it’s sometimes as if overly creative students should be expected to dull their sparkle to work well in class, we are continually exploring the ways that creativity can be embraced and used as a learning tool. We have been able to observe the progress of young people aged 7-11 and how drama exercises help them to develop key skills for life, further proving the importance of play and the opportunity to be creative in terms of young people’s development. Supporting young people’s confidence to perform helps them to improve the social element of their lives in all sorts of future contexts.
We have partnered with Castleton Primary School to deliver after school drama clubs within the school setting once a week, working with a different group of KS2 pupils each term to practice drama skills. Each half term ends with a sharing for teachers and parents to see the impact of the clubs, and this acts as a first introduction to drama for many primary-aged pupils, through games and exercises with a focus on supporting wellbeing, building confidence, effective communication, teamwork, and mutual respect.
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At Hyde Park Picture House we’re inviting young people aged 7-11 to take part in an Animation Workshop, where we’ll be providing an accessible introduction to the art of animation in collaboration with Leeds Animation Workshop – a women’s collective set up in 1978 to produce and distribute animated films on social issues, who have been giving workshops to beginners of all ages for over 40 years.
Through the creative use of drama games and techniques, LHT Unwrapped: Drama Day invites ages 8-11 to Leeds Grand Theatre to expand their imagination and confidence. From improvisation to script work, this is an opportunity for budding creatives to throw themselves into a safe and collaborative environment and learn in the process.
In collaboration with Circus Leeds, our LHT Unwrapped: Circus Skills workshop gives young people aged 8-14 the chance to learn about specialised skills like clowning and balancing acts. With a focus on mastering new skills, making friends and learning something new, we’re bringing the incomparable joy of the circus to Leeds Grand Theatre.
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.
