Schools work
Thank you so much for sending Carole again this year; she always works wonders with the children. The dances were perfectly pitched and have enthused dancing at home (unheard of) and in the playground. One class is doing a set for our assembly—a show and tell type thing—and the drummers are moving around along with the Spanish chef! Carole is a star and I hope she will come again next year at least once if not more. The Tameside language advisor was very impressed.
Jonathan Seville, Deputy Headteacher, Hurst Knoll Primary School, Ashton-under-Lyne
Mainstream has been involved with Manor Green for several years. The quality of dance has improved tremendously. During the past two years, our main focus has been on drama, and Mainstream has again provided a superb member of staff to deliver quality lessons to all year groups throughout the school. There has been a significant improvement in the quality of the children’s speaking, drama and role play in class assemblies and school concerts. The after-school Theatre Workshop club (music, dance and drama) is extremely popular.
Mrs J. A. Lomas, Headteacher, Manor Green Primary School, Denton
We have been using tutors from Mainstream to deliver dance and drama for a number of years. Tutors are reliable, hardworking and enthusiastic. The children enjoy the activities, and after-school classes are extremely well attended.
Linda Pennington, Headteacher, Denton West End Primary School
The Mainstream Theatre Arts company has provided our pupils with excellent opportunities to develop a wide range of skills. I have seen considerable changes in pupil confidence, self esteem and performance skills with dramatic improvements in their acting skills. The comprehensive modules have culminated in fantastic performances which have been shared and celebrated with both parents and staff. I would wholeheartedly recommend the company to deliver both quality curricular and extra-curricular performing arts education.
C R Jones, Deputy Headteacher, Lacey Green Primary School, Wilmslow
Mainstream Drama provides a rich variety of learning-based activities for children across the primary range. Punctual and consistent support by a single instructor has enabled children to gain maximum enjoyment and make good progress with their learning. Adding focused drama lessons to our curriculum has allowed us to provide a quality learning opportunity for our children in addition to freeing up staff time for planning and preparation.
Stuart Harris, Deputy Headteacher, Park Road Primary School, Timperley
Year Groups 1-6 have enjoyed excellent classes incorporating dance, drama and singing. These are keenly looked forward to by the children and help to develop their confidence, speaking and listening and performance skills. Both curricular and after-school classes have been very popular.
Sheena Hyman, Deputy Head, St Anne’s Primary School, Denton
Theatre-in-Education
The following comments are from anonymous feedback forms completed immediately after Mainstream's visit to the schools.
Comments from teachers:
Obviously well planned and delivered with expertise. The children gained more from this than six weeks of lessons.
A very enjoyable workshop day that made the pupils think about the social issues related to drink as well as the statistics. Some very good support material as well which covers all the subjects within the National Curriculum.
A thoroughly enjoyable way of teaching the children a very important message. The children were wholeheartedly involved throughout the day.
Pupils thoroughly immersed themselves in the play making them fully aware of the dangers of alcohol. Gave children opportunity to use their creativity, humour and show powers of working co-operatively.
Very relevant in this area—high % of difficulties with alcohol. The drama was wonderful. Sensitive issues raised with great sincerity and thought. This is our third year of involvement. As always a very professionally organized and enthusiastic group of young people.
Excellent attempts at involving all pupils, even SEN. Many of our children lack confidence to speak out & 'act'—it was great to see this & they greatly appreciate an opportunity to see 'live theatre'. Thanks.
Group work carried out in a very inclusive manner. All children engaged. Non-threatening yet challenging at the same time!
Everything about the day was excellent. The children enjoyed a practical learning experience which was well produced and delivered. Thank you!
The session allowed many children to air opinions / concerns they have which was an opportunity for them & useful for the staff to see & take further in follow-up sessions.
I'm pleased to say, this is the second year we've been involved with 'Mainstream'; the theatre-in-education programme is just super … very worthwhile - hands on, interesting and INFORMATIVE in a non-threatening way.
A fantastic workshop that was thoroughly enjoyed by all the children involved. We thought the actors were excellent.
Covers a great deal of PHSE and issues we tackle in assembly time.
A fantastic day. The children absolutely loved it. Very well organised from start to finish. Loved the mixture of drama, hotseating, performance erc.
The whole day was a good follow on from the work completed in class on this issue. A great day which has obviously helped to deepen the knowledge the children already have.
Comments from pupils
I really enjoyed the day, I think most things should be learnt this way.
I think it is fantastic way of learning because the children joined in too.
Brilliant play! Learnt stuff. Liked presenters. Teaches you about alcohol.
I think it was fantastic and other schools will too. Brill!!
I thought everything was good and nothing was poor. I learnt quite a few things even that my parents didn’t even know.
I really thought it was a fun way of learning about alcohol + what it can do to you. The best part was the acting + dancing where we performed + I really found out watching other people’s performances showed me how alcohol can be bad in some ways! I really liked the actors in the play too!!!
I thought it was good that you put it into a play because it’s more fun than just having to sit there and listen for hours.
I think it was a really good way to learn and we should do it more often for stuff like cigarettes.
The actors got everyone involved and that was really good.
I think it was the best way to learn because I didn’t even know I was learning but when the end come I knew loads of things.
I thought that making your own play makes you realise the consequences.
It was a good way to learn about alcohol because we did plays about it and it was like it was really happening.