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Education

"Thank you for helping us express our minds. I really liked working with you. You've really taught us how to act. I would also like to thank you for supporting us throughout our lessons. This will always be in my childhood in the future. Thank you everyone in the Blue Elephant Theatre." Year 4 Pupil from partner primary school

Our education policy

The Blue Elephant Theatre Education Department seeks to engage, respond to, reflect and promote the interests of the local community.

We primarily work with young people, although the focus of our work is to tackle all forms of social exclusion in our local area by engaging individuals through the arts.

Our social inclusion agenda ensures that: we are committed to ensuring access to the arts for groups of individuals who would not normally be able to access such activities for social, economic or other reasons.

Many of our projects target young people from refugee, asylum and migrant communities as well as children in care, young carers and young people at the risk of offending.

The Blue Elephant is: an essential community resource (nurturing talent and academic ability as well as offering the opportunity to explore choices in life)

The Blue Elephant views: the arts as a valuable tool for reconnecting young people with mainstream education

Our education work

  • Addresses key social problems affecting young people at risk of or experiencing exclusion (eg: by providing worthwhile creative activities)
  • Changes group dynamics rooted in aggression and division into a supportive atmosphere (eg through positive, focused group work)
  • Motivates young people (eg through providing a platform for achievement)
  • Allows participants to explore personal issues through arts based activities
  • Gives young people a sense of pride and achievement in demonstrating newly acquired skills

Some past projects

  • Blue Elephant Young People's Theatre

    All our youth theatre groups meet to develop performance and social skills and work with professional practitioners from the arts industry.

    Our Young People’s Theatre aims to provide drama based workshops to young people who would not normally be able to access such services for social, economic, or other reasons.

    For more information on any of our projects, please contact our Education Co-ordinator:

    Stuart Cox
    Tel: 020 7701 0100
    Send an email

    Group A
    7-10 years old (Saturdays from 10-11am or 11:15am – 12:15pm)

    Group B
    11-13 years old (Saturdays from 1:00pm – 3:00pm)

    Blue Elephant Young Company
    14+ years old (Saturdays from 4:00pm – 6:00pm)
    The Blue Elephant Young Company meets to create original work to perform as part of the Blue Elephant’s season.

    Winter Showcase
    by Young People’s Theatre - Groups A & B
    Our youth theatre groups will present original work created over the last term.
    Date: Monday 30 November
    Time: 7pm
    The Legends of South East London by Bola Agbaje
    by Blue Elephant Young Company
    The Blue Elephant Young Company presents the premiere of a brand new play written especially for the company by award winning writer Bola Agbaje. An event not to be missed!
    Dates & Time: Saturday 5 Dec (4pm) & Monday 7 Dec (7pm plus post show discussion)

  • Speak out!


    The Speak Out! project uses Forum Theatre to allow young people from local secondary schools & youth centres to explore issues affecting them in a safe and creative way.

    The project addresses the various pressures facing young people today (including knife crime and the use of drugs/alcohol) and uses participatory methods to involve young people as both audience members and performers.

    By participating in this project, young people are able to share their opinions and speak out on the issues that matter to them, whilst rehearsing ways of dealing with certain situations in a safe, supportive, and creative environment.

    Here is what some students and teachers have said about Speak Out!:

    "It showed me how one small decision can change your life."

    "We were able to use our own ideas and find a different solution."

    "It was engaging, tightly structured and allowed students to understand the consequences."

    Forum Theatre
    Join us for a presentation of our latest Forum Theatre piece developed with the help of local young people, followed by a Q & A session. This event is part of the STEP Up and Tell Festival 2009.
    Date: Monday 23 November
    Time: 7pm

    For more information on Speak Out! and to book a performance, Please contact Stuart Cox (Education Co-ordinator) on 02077010100 or send him an Email.

  • Creative Minds - Phase 3

    'Creative Minds' is funded by Southwark Children's Fund and is an ongoing project involving children from two Southwark primary schools.

    This work comes under the very Child Matters strategy: Enjoy & Achieve.

    We provide long-term intervention that aims to enhance and enrich the academic attainment and social well-being of the participants.

    Aged between 9 -11, 90% of the children come from black and ethnic minorities. The project aims to contribute towards the provision of preventative services for up to 200 children and young people who are at risk of social exclusion, enabling them to overcome social, physical and economic disadvantages through:

    • The provision of three years of creative drama-based workshops
    • INSET teacher and Youth worker training
    • Access to arts events for two partner primary schools in Southwark.

    Creative minds - phase 3 incorportes the following activities:

    • In school workshops

      The Blue Elephant Theatre works with three classes from each primary school for 30 weeks over the school year delivering drama workshops linked to a selected area of the curriculum. In the final terms all participating classes take part in a performance at the Blue Elephant Theatre. The schools also benefit from free visits to the theatre and free INSET training.

      Partner schools:

      • Keyworth primary school, Faunce Street, London, SE17
      • St Paul's Church of England Primary School, Penrose Street, London, SE17

      " Our pupils have grown in self-confidence and self-esteem, they are learning to present themselves effectively and every child is involved, many of whom have special educational needs and/or English as an additional language..." Ms A Low (Deputy Head, Oliver Goldsmith Primary School)

    • After school clubs

      Working with schools to provide further support out of school hours; the Blue Elephant Theatre work with children from years 3 to 6 to develop drama, script-writing and performance skills as well as imagination, teamwork and self-esteem. At the end of the school year each group has an opportunity to perform their work at the Blue Elephant Theatre.

    Book a workshop?

    The Blue Elephant Theatre currently offers workshops to schools and other organisations in the following art-forms: drama, scriptwriting, creative writing, storytelling, comedy, directing and devising. We will tailor make the project to your specific requirements.

    Fees: negotiable

    Call us on 020 7701 0100, or send us an E-mail.

  • Transitions 2008

    A theatre project for young people about to start secondary school

    Date: July 28th - August 8th Summer 2008
    Age 10-11 years: 20 places
    Mentors, age 12-16 6 places

    A project for young people moving from year 6 to year 7. Two groups of young people work with a team of theatre facilitators to create their own performances around the theme of Transition.

    They are supported by a team of mentors from secondary schools around the borough. The mentors are trained in a range of drama workshop leading and support skills.

    It was a great opportunity to see Blue Elephant drama work in action and I was very impressed by the range of group work methods being utilised and the way that issues about moving from primary to secondary school were being gradually introduced. I was very impressed at how the young people were encouraged to voice their experiences and issues and although it was only their second day it was very evident that a very trusting and supportive environment was being built up by the staff team. Helen Naylor, Southwark Children's Fund

    This project is funded by Southwark Children's Fund

  • Creative Minds - Phase 1

    Eight classes from two local primary schools (Oliver Goldsmith and St Paul's) took part in weekly drama workshops, visited the theatre once a term for a performance or workshop and performed in a professional theatre venue. This project aimed to develop teachers' drama skills, improve speaking and listening, and increase self-esteem amongst pupils.

    'Creative Minds Phase 1' School Programme ran from February 2002-March 2004 funded by Southwark Children's Fund

  • Acting Up

    Out of school theatre workshops

    Pupils at Alfred Salter Primary School took part in a year of after school clubs, including: Drama and Scriptwriting (Years 5 & 6), Storytelling and improvisation (Years 3 & 4) and Music and Drama (Years 1 & 2) with professional artists and practitioners, their work was showcased in July 2004. The Nursery and Reception classes and staff took part in a series of workshops with 'Make Believe Arts' from May 2004.

    'Acting Up' ran from September 2003 to July 2004 funded by The New Opportunities Fund and Alfred Salter School.

  • Ignite!

    The Blue Elephant Theatre's Visual Arts Education Programme enabling young people to work with professional artists and for volunteers to acquire new skills, training and practical experience.

    Ignite involved over 200 young people in workshops in a range of visual arts including: puppetry, animation, textiles, sculpture and photography. At least 40 local artists and volunteers received training and practical experience in workshop leading skills, many of whom now work as freelancers on other arts education projects.

    'Ignite' ran from February 2003 - July 2004, funded by The Local Network Fund, SELF and Neighbourhood Renewal.

  • Wyndham & Comber Drama Group

    The Wyndham & Comber Drama Group is specifically for young people living on the Wyndham, Comber, & Goschen Estates. The group uses drama to explore their lives in the local area.

    at Jessie Duffet Hall
    11-16 years old (Tuesdays from 5:30pm – 7:30pm)

    Home is…
    A performance exploring life on the Wyndham & Comber Estate.
    Date: Monday 14th December
    Time: 7pm

  • Youth Arts & Education


    Amazing, Compelling, Sensitive, Thought-provoking & Captivating – these are just some of the words used to describe the Blue Elephant Young People’s Theatre.
    Come and check out what our young people are up to this season:
    ....................................................................................................................................................

    SPRING

    • Young People’s Theatre - Group A


      SPRING SHOWCASE
      Date:    Monday 29 March
      Time:   7pm

    • Young People’s Theatre - Group B & Young Company


      SPRING SHOWCASE
      Date:    Wednesday 31 March
      Time:   7pm

    • Wyndham & Comber Drama Group


      SPRING PERFORMANCE
      Date:    Saturday 3 April
      Time:   1pm

    SUMMER

    • Young People’s Theatre - Group A


      SUMMER SHOWCASE
      Date:    Monday 19 July
      Time:   7pm

    • Young People’s Theatre - Group B & Young Company


      SUMMER SHOWCASE
       Date:    Tuesday 20 July
      Time:   7pm
       


    Tickets for all youth arts events are FREE but must be booked in advance to guarantee entrance.

    Want to join one of FREE youth theatre groups?

    Young People’s Theatre

    Our Young People’s Theatre aims to provide drama based workshops to young people who would not normally be able to access such services for social, economic, or other reasons.

    • Group A – ages 7-10
      Saturdays from 10–11am or 11:15–12:15pm (Blue Elephant)
    • Group B – ages 11-13
      Saturdays from 1-3pm (Blue Elephant)

    The Blue Elephant Young Company

    The Blue Elephant Young Company meets to create original work to perform as part of the Blue Elephant’s season

    • 

      Ages 14+

      Saturdays from 4-6pm (Blue Elephant)

    The Wyndham & Comber Drama Group

    The Wyndham & Comber Drama Group is a group specifically for young people living on the Wyndham, Comber, & Goschen Estates. The group uses drama to explore their lives in the local area.

    • Ages 11+

      Tuesdays from 5:30-6:30pm (Jessie Duffet Hall)


    All our youth theatre groups meet to develop performance and social skills and work with professional practitioners from the arts industry.
    For more information on any of our projects, please contact Stuart Cox by e-mail or by telephone 020 77010100.

If you require additional information about the Education Programme, please contact the education team on 020 7701 0100 or E-mail Stuart Cox