Improvisation, image theatre, storytelling and role-play are used to gather the young peoples’ stories and ‘playground myths’. These are then presented back through a forum theatre piece created by our team, which offers fictionalised scenarios and uses forum/discussion to explore the issues.
Pupils can take on the role of the characters, offering alternative scenarios and resolutions, as well as time for further comments and questions. The programme ends on a positive note with the young people focusing on their aspirations for secondary school.
The programme also addresses issues of online safety.
The video below shows the very first iteration of the programme (in 2008), which includes our Patron, Adeel Akhtar.
Email Androulla to express interest in the programmeFeedback from Teachers
The Transitions project has allayed many of the children’s fears and made many of them view it as a positive next step, rather than a step into ‘the great unknown’. Most children understood the aspects of school life that would change as they made the move from primary to secondary education. It allowed many of our pupils, who would have otherwise been daunted, leave our school with a positive outlook about attending their chosen secondary school.
Thank you for coming to us! We really enjoyed the project, particularly because it prompted lots of discussions for our leaving Year 6s and gave them plenty to think about on their departure for secondary school. The theatre practitioners worked professionally and came to our school with a good positive attitude. They were open to suggestions and dealt with behaviour issues very well. They treated the children fairly and listened to all their suggestions. We will suggest that the new Year 6 teachers for next year should use some of these activities and ideas… We could also adapt some of the ideas you gave us into our PSHE lessons with other year groups.