Learning and Engagement Newsletter Autumn 2024
Summer term highlights
After school drama clubs
Last term we delivered after school drama clubs at Castleton Primary and Seacroft Grange Primary. For six weeks, we supported the groups in exploring the world of drama and developing drama skills. The groups learned how drama techniques can be used in everyday school life and for general wellbeing. As an opportunity for participants to demonstrate their new skills, the term ended with a sharing for parents/guardians and school staff.
If you are interested in a drama club for your class, please get in touch via learning@leedsheritagetheatres.com. Watch our reel here for more information.
“Wonderful space to learn self-expression and how to use your body language to communicate. Thank you!”
– Parent of drama club participant
Pupils excited for a screening at Hyde Park Picture House. Credit Daniel Johnson
Hyde Park Picture House film club
We have been running a trial after school club with 20 Brudenell Primary students in Years 4-6, every Tuesday for a month. The film club is an opportunity for young people in our local community to attend the cinema for free and be introduced to a range of films. Through repeated cinema visits, the young audience was able to gain confidence within the space to hopefully become the next generation of cinemagoers. We had positive feedback from participants and this year we will be expanding our film club offer for Brudenell Primary and other local schools.
“The awe and wonder on the children’s faces on entering the building remained throughout.”
– Teacher from Brudenell Primary
Young people’s groups
The summer term was busy with projects led by our young people’s groups, from full-scale professional productions with our youth theatre and Leeds Actors in Training to a youth-led event with Child Friendly Leeds at the Varieties.
Cinema careers opportunities
Coming this term
Ghosts of the Grand
Ghosts of the Grand is a six-week creative writing project for KS2. Pupils will be immersed in the world of theatre and the ghoulish apparitions that haunt the buildings; the project will inspire even the most reluctant writers to pick up a pen and write their own stories. The project includes two sessions at Leeds Grand Theatre, three further session plans to be delivered by teachers in school, and a final celebratory sharing led by our Learning and Engagement team.
Scroll to the end of this page for our blog post detailing the origins of this project!
Primary school pupil in the Varieties auditorium. Credit Chris Coote
Primary Workshop. Credit Ollie Jenkins
World of Work: Primary
Due to the demand for careers-based learning, we have adapted one of our most popular KS3 workshops for primary students. With links to PSHE, pupils will learn about key roles in a working theatre and how we operate as modern businesses, undertake job-specific tasks, and explore a working theatre.
Panto workshops
It’s nearly pantomime season… oh, yes it is! Our Panto Skills workshop is the perfect addition to your visit to the theatre this winter season and an opportunity for pupils to practice the art of panto. Pupils will learn about the traditional elements of pantomime and practice theatrical storytelling techniques. This workshop can be tailored for any key stage and can be delivered at school or in the theatre.
Artwork for the Rock 'n' Roll Panto: Jack and the Beanstalk
LHT Unwrapped: October half-term
Spooktacular Theatre – 6-8 and 9-11yrs
Get ready this Halloween for our Spooktacular Theatre workshops at Leeds Grand Theatre. Let your imagination run wild as you portray our most ghoulish friends at the theatre and learn drama games that are more treat than trick!
Haunting Theatre – 12-14yrs
Dive into the spine-tingling world of drama with Haunting Theatre, our workshop for young people with a passion for the macabre. Join us for a day of exploring the art of horror storytelling, mastering the art of suspense, and unleashing your inner ghoul in a supportive environment.
Several free places are available per day on our holiday activities to support families who might struggle to cover the cost of taking part (e.g. those receiving free school meals or Universal Credit). Please call 07738 267757 or contact learning@leedsheritagetheatres.com for more details on eligibility and how to apply.
Collaborate with Leeds Heritage Theatres
In partnership with Leeds Playhouse and Northern Ballet, Leeds Heritage Theatres organised a trip to the Playhouse for all schoolchildren across the five schools in the Leeds East Primary Partnership (LEPP) to see a professional show last year. In most cases, this was a first-ever trip to the theatre and inspired the young people to think about their creativity and what it could mean in their futures.
As part of this partnership, we also arranged a teacher CPD day for colleagues across the five schools to develop skills in incorporating dance and drama into their classroom teaching. We are also pleased that the legacy of our collaboration has been to introduce after school drama clubs at one of the schools involved.
If you are a community group or school interested in a similar project or collaboration, please get in touch via learning@leedsheritagetheatres.com.
Teachers listen to speakers at CPD day. Credit Grow Productions
Children watch a performance at the theatre. Credit Grow Productions
Other opportunities
From the blog
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.