Chickenshed was approached in April 2006 by George Green's Secondary School in Tower Hamlets to take part in the launch of specialist college status.
We met with the drama and citizenship teachers before we planned the session and identified mutually relevant areas of work. The theme we took in with us was 'Community' and specifically the role of the individual within the community.
It gave us an opportunity to explore with the pupils the importance of the ‘individual’ within the community and to identify them as potential positive agents for change.
We worked with the school over two consecutive days to deliver four workshops to their Year 10 pupils. Within the workshop itself there was lots of opportunity for group discussion and devising which, at the end of the hour, we brought together into a five minute piece performed altogether. The confidence of the group and willingness of individuals to participate grew throughout the session and there was a genuine feeling of achievement at the end amongst the pupils.
As well as Chickenshed staff members, our second year foundation degree students were also involved in the delivery of this project. Again the benefits of this were mutual, as experiences of performance and society were shared between the pupils and students.
"Startling success - there was hugely positive feedback from everyone involved. A couple of "excluded" kids did unusually good work and were incredibly engaged. There is now a buzz around, everyone is talking about it….the kids from the day before had to be "bounced" at the door while trying to get back in! A child taking part from the Pupil Referral Unit was amazing - his mother was tearful and overwhelmed to hear that he had done so well. The key to it was it was top class quality professionally delivered - it would have to be that good to work in a school like ours. Moreover, the ideology will leave an imprint and now the school knows what can work…thank you."
Teacher, George Green Secondary School - 2006
Isle of Dogs