The Mbawula event at the end of last school year was a phenomenal success, from workshops in schools, adult choir workshops and a stunning concert at Magna. Lots of people have asked if there could be another, but the huge cost of such a project means it would be difficult to sustain this every year. However, Clifton Partnership are soon to be in talks with Mbawula about organising something for 2009. More news towards the end of January, but fingers crossed for some exciting announcements!
Young Performers
December 2008
Schools across the Clifton Partnership Education Zone are singing, dancing and playing their way to Christmas. Its a marvellous sight to see children and young people so excited as they prepare for their performances, and to see them perform so confidently in front of large audiences. From Young Voices at the Hallam Arena to participation in the record-breaking Big Sing and from live bands to infant nativities, theres surely been something for everyone, and theres no doubting the impact such things have on engagement, attendance and confidence of all involved. Its been a wonderful year for performing arts experiences, and more exciting things planned for next year. Watch this space!
Staff Choir
December 2008
Four years on and still going strong, the Clifton Partnership Education Action Zone Staff Choirs next performance is at St James Church, Cambridge Street, Rotherham on Wednesday, 17th December, as part of Clifton: A Community Arts Schools Christmas carol concert. Starting at 7pm, this will really get us in the Christmas spirit, and without a drink in sight!
If youd like to be involved with this great group of people, who leave school behind once every two weeks to come and sing, just contact Nick Chandley for details. Its very informal, a good laugh and a great stress-buster!
Ready to Rock?
December 2008
As different from Joseph as it gets, We Will Rock You will be our next performance. Rehearsals are currently under way, with all Clifton: A Community Arts School Expressive and Performing Arts department staff getting the most out of their young performers.
The show will be performed in the week commencing 23rd March 2009 - watch this space!
Drama Into Literacy
Introduction
Clifton Partnership Action Zone participated in the first phase of the Local Authority’s Drama into Literacy (DiL) project last year, in which three primary teachers received CPD on using Drama as a strategy in Literacy. One of the project’s outcomes was that these teachers would then work with teachers from other schools (Drama Development Schools) in the second phase of the project.Three further teachers from the EAZ joined this second phase, making six in all.
As a way of supporting this project, Clifton Partnership undertook to provide additional CPD for both those teachers enrolled on the project and also any others who had a keen interest in Drama.Funded through Creative Partnerships, we recruited Larraine Harrison to lead two days of curriculum Drama, and the focus of this evaluation was inspired by one of these days.
Kay Murray, Year 2 teacher from EastDenePrimary School, was particularly excited by the potential of creating a community with the children, and an upcoming topic on Percy the Park Keeper seemed too good an opportunity to miss.A week-long project was planned in collaboration with year group partner LouiseRidge for both Year 2 classes, in which the children created their own park.They decided what should be in the park, such as a boating lake, playground, café, etc, and, in small groups, took charge of their ‘attraction’.The whole week was given over to the project, with subjects such as Art (making posters), Numeracy (coordinates, money, etc), Drama (acting out their roles) and, principally, Literacy, with a focus on persuasive writing.
The stimulus for their writing was provided by a visit from a flour mill owner (teacher in role) who had been given planning permission to build a new factory right next to the park.This dilemma was introduced mid-week, after the children had built up a feeling of ownership of their park, and they immediately rose to the challenge of trying to persuade the owner to build his factory somewhere else.This provided the Literacy focus for the last three days of the week, culminating in another visit on the Friday afternoon by the factory owner, to whom the children presented their work and their arguments.Needless to say, based on some excellent suggestions from the children, there was a happy ending!
Aims
To introduce the children to a range of Drama strategies
To use the theme of imaginary community to impact on Literacy attainment
To engage all ability groups
Positives
Engagement of all pupils
Excellent attendance during the week
Improved behaviour during the week
Real-life context gave children a valid reason for their writing
Standard of written work greatly improved, across all ability groups
Increased confidence resulting from Drama sessions
Lots of fun for both children and teachers
Atmosphere of excitement spread around school
Improvements
The success of the week became more apparent as it went on.In subsequent themed weeks, a more structured approach to measuring impact could be planned
More overt links to the Learning Skills Curriculum could be planned
The Future
Learning Skills Curriculum to become part of the planning process
Examples of written work to act as evidence of impact
Anecdotal evidence of engagement, behaviour, etc, should be documented during the week
Further themed projects to be planned as a result of this success
