Learning and Engagement Newsletter Spring 2025
Autumn partnerships
Across Leeds and beyond, we were delighted to initiate partnerships with new schools last term and deliver various workshops together. For example, we have been supporting St Oswald’s Primary School in Guiseley in their work towards the Artsmark Award by offering a series of creative workshops both at school and from the theatre. We also designed a bespoke production-focused workshop to help Year 11s at Cockburn John Charles Academy with their WJEC Tech Award coursework.
Old partnerships continued in the Autumn term as well, with technical students from Leeds City College returning to The Varieties for theatre-based training and pupils from Leeds Trinity Academy and Upper Batley High School paying a visit to Leeds Grand Theatre to find out about all things careers. We even got to give the students a sneak peek of the view from the stage and the respective sets for Blood Brothers and & Juliet!
Imogen leading a theatre tour with a group from Sacred Heart Catholic Primary. Credit: Aaron Cawood
“We had an excellent time, it was fantastic to see the set [and] go onstage.
“Our learners had loads of questions and were really curious, which was great to see.”
Teacher from Upper Batley High School
After school drama clubs
We are now in our second year of running after school drama clubs with Castleton Primary School for Year 3s to 6s. Last year, the pupils worked closely with one of our experienced practitioners to learn basic drama skills and build their metaphorical acting toolkit. The group focused on sharing creative ideas, listening to others and resilience, all skills vital for drama as well as everyday school life. Each half term, the group opened its doors to parents, guardians and school staff to share their learning and improvement.
After spending the first year honing their skills, the group spent the last term diving into the classic tale of Little Red Riding Hood. They developed character through body and voice, and created the setting, explored the key themes and structure of the story. The group is working towards an informal performance around the theme of storytelling in February.
To widen access to the arts across Leeds, we would like to offer after school drama clubs in partnership with schools in the following wards: Beeston & Holbeck, Chapel Allerton, Gipton & Harehills, Hunslet & Riverside, and Kirkstall.
We can offer a free taster session and discount to schools in these areas.
Please get in touch to discuss drama clubs for your school.
Youth groups
Careers resources
Developed between the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and the Grand Futures Leeds Arts Network, this in-depth careers resource is free for schools to access, download and deliver in the classroom.
Featuring interviews with industry professionals and based around real theatre productions (Northern Ballet’s Romeo and Juliet or Opera North’s Hansel and Gretel), the resource aims to increase young people’s understanding of the arts and provide opportunities to develop skills required by the industry.
Careers workshop for Discover Creative Careers week. Credit: Chris Werrett
A screenshot of the Costume Design project brief.
Other opportunities
Are you looking for inspiring careers opportunities for your students? Join us virtually on Wed 15 January (3.30-5pm) for our next Careers in the Creative Industries Network meeting bringing together creative industry professionals and careers leads.
Stories from our 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.
