All schools have pupils who exhibit challenging behaviour and Oxclose community school in Sunderland is no exception. The outstanding moment of the first year in the school's new premises, which opened in June 2007, involved one such individual, according to headteacher Tony Cunningham. "To see this young man, an accomplished guitarist and singer, stride confidently across the stage to the microphone and share his talents with an audience of 200, including his peers and his parents, was uplifting."
Oxclose is a specialist performing and visual arts college, and one of the major BSF investments was in a new performing arts block. "The state-of-the-art facilities have provided huge encouragement to the performing arts," says Cunningham.
Productions have ranged from Shakespeare to Jesus Christ Superstar, as well as the Christmas and summer shows of local primary schools, which are encouraged to share the facilities. Students can also learn technical and vocational skills such as staging and recording.
"We have been able to put on high-quality performances backed by high-quality technical support, and the excitement for students and parents has been at a level we could never have imagined," says Cunningham. (Building work was by Kier Construction. Sunderland has appointed RM as ICT provider for all its BSF projects.)
The Michael Tippett school in Lambeth, which opened in February 2008, is the first BSF school in London. It is also the first school for children with special educational needs (SEN) built under the BSF programme, where student needs range from severe or profound and multiple learning difficulties to autistic spectrum disorders. Drama here is not an "extra" but a vital part of the curriculum.
"Students with limited or alternative communication need different ways to access the curriculum," says headteacher Jan Stogdon. "We use music and drama to communicate core subjects, rather than sitting at a desk."
Drama is used in all aspects of education at Michael Tippett in facilities ranging from the classrooms to the sensory room and hydro-pool. The music and drama studio is to be kitted out with a lighting rig that the students can work themselves. Recent projects have included performing at the Young Vic theatre in London.
"Some of our more able students worked with a staff member and were able to perform in front of an audience," says Stogdon. "It was impressive how they developed their understanding and confidence."
Linking with BSF has also benefited the Shakespeare schools festival, which for the last eight years has enabled secondary school students to stage a half-hour, abridged Shakepeare play at their local theatre, following workshops with theatre professionals. In May, the festival presented performances to MPs at Westminster.
"Since then, a company called Trillium, involved with BSF, has come forward as a major sponsor," says Penelope Middelboe, the festival's deputy director. Middelboe points out the long-term positive effects of performing, alongside the sheer enjoyment factor. "Once someone has had this positive experience, they put their hand up in chemistry. They have recalled they have a voice, they have gained respect," she says.
(Marks Barfield, arcitects for the London Eye, led the design team, building was by Apollo Education; and RM won the ICT provision contract.)
Weblinks
Apollo: theapollogroup.co.uk
Kier Construction: kier.co.uk
Marks Barfield: marksbarfield.com
Michael Tippett: http://tinyurl.com/5lnouv
Oxclose: oxcloseschool.net
RM: rm.com
Shakespeare schools festival: ssf.uk.com
