Joined by pupils from local primary schools, our Prep girls across all year groups participated in three specialist workshops. These sessions were carefully crafted to develop oracy, expression, and a curiosity for narrative through active exploration.
Our ‘Rapspeare’ session, led by Adrian from BigFoot Arts Education, was a high-energy workshop that introduced pupils to the story of Macbeth in a fresh, exciting, and dynamic way, through acting out key scenes and moments. The session helped students explore Shakespeare beyond the stereotypes of difficult or boring, instilling a newfound confidence, both in themselves and their ability to tackle complex literature.
We were also delighted to host West End in Schools, who delivered an interactive retelling of the traditional tale The Emperor’s New Clothes. Through a series of theatrical exercises used to explore setting and character, the pupils truly stepped into the story, using their bodies and voices to bring the narrative to life.
Bringing the traditional Ashanti tale of Anansi the Spider to life, storyteller, author, and oral historian Wendy Shearer engrossed pupils with a multisensory experience involving props, music, and movement. This participatory session encouraged the children to work collaboratively to enact the folklore before finding the confidence to share their own inspired tales.
It was a wonderful day for all involved. By developing essential skills in oracy and expression, our pupils have gained a creative foundation that will benefit them both in the classroom and in their lives beyond school.