Blog entry by Holly Barradell

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by Holly Barradell - Wednesday, 16 July 2014, 2:51 PM
Anyone in the world

Teacher Training

Over June and July I've been out and about running training for our PQA (Pauline Quirke Academy) teachers, we have now trained in excess of 100 teachers and principals. I'm pleased that we already have over 30 academies up and running. If you are a Trinity Drama teacher and wish to attend training just email: dramateachers@trinitycollege.co.uk and we can add you to our list and when we have enough interest we will contact you to arrange a session. 

Adults Learners Week - Liverpool - Communicating with Confidence workshop

liverpoolI travelled with the UK Language team to attend the North West Adult Learners Week event at the World Museum in Liverpool. It was really wonderful to run a workshop on Communicating with Confidence, I used script and non-verbal resources to stimulate the Adult Learners. It was great to see them enjoying learning and engaging with others - we even had newly elected MEP for the NW Julie Ward joining in! Our workshop was totally different to any of the other workshops that were on offer that day! Read more about the event here. 

Dorset School of Acting - ATCL centre leading the way! 

I wrote in an earlier blog post about Ampleforth College and the success they had with our ATCL performing by getting students into top Russell Group universities with their Level 4 qualification and now Dorset School of Acting (DSA) have done the same but with Drama school. For the last 3 years they have been running a 1 yr foundation course in Acting & Musical Theatre offering the ATCL in Drama & Speech. This year they were very successful with 50% of students gaining distinctions and several of those students have graduated with places at RADA, LAMDA, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, ALRA, Rose Bruford and East 15 with one student even gaining professional employment straight into the industry.

dsaWell done DSA with your with 100% success rate with placing your students in recognised drama schools - the school is obviously going from strength to strength and we are so pleased that our diploma is fitting in so well with your work!

Pupil Premium Phenomenal in London Primary School

Ever wondered what a school does when they have talented pupils who simply can't afford to take our exams? Bursary? Raise money through events? Well they are both possible of course but then in an English school you may have pupil's in receipt of Pupil Premium who are able to use this additional funding. Pupil Premium is given to publicly funded schools in England to raise the attainment of disadvantaged pupils and close the gap between them and their peers. Pupil premium funding is available to both mainstream and non-mainstream schools, such as special schools and pupil referral units. 

Back in April this year, Queensbridge Primary School in Hackney used some of their Pupil Premium money for enable 27 pupils to take foundation solo grade exams in Speech & Drama and Communication Skills. All of those 27 pupils passed, infact they had a 100% Distinction - Merit pass rate! 17 of them acheived a Distinction and 4 of those were awarded over 90% - what a fantastic acheivement for those young students and thank goodness for Pupil Premium!

Please do get in touch if you are a teacher that has benefitted from Pupil Premium funding to enable your students to take our exams. 

And a quick update...

Harriet Harman Consultation - Young People and the Arts - have your say, but be quick deadline to respond is tomorrow! July 17th. Trinity College London are responding, with responses from our Music, Arts Award, Artsmark and Drama departments. 

Play for the Nations Youth - Winner has been announced - Read about the success of Fiona Doyle's entry to this Playwriting development project. Watch this space to attend the performance!

Are you a London school with excellent staff CPD? - Then you must read about the quality mark your school could achieve. This has been developed by Professional Development (PD) leaders in London in partnership with the London Centre for Leadership in Learning (LCLL), Institute of Education. 

Until next time... 

...Enjoy the sunshine and those outdoor plays!

Holly

[ Modified: Wednesday, 16 July 2014, 3:08 PM ]