Pupils in East Riding secondary schools have benefited from live theatre to bring to life learning about physical and emotional health.
East Riding of Yorkshire Council has commissioned Dramatic Theatre CIC to deliver ‘One of My Friends’ - theatre in health education - within East Riding secondary schools.
One of My Friends uses live theatre and discussion to bring to life learning about physical and emotional health with Key Stage 3 pupils. The performance, and discussion, provide Year 7 and 8 pupils with tools to consider the elements that influence their feelings and emotional health. Pupils listen to a series of characters telling their stories about the challenges they are facing.
The stories are constructed to address key themes in the PSHE curriculum: mental health and emotional wellbeing and the use of alcohol, drugs, smoking, and vaping. After hearing each of the characters' stories pupils are encouraged to question the characters' choices, discuss their ideas and offer the character their advice, as if they were 'One of My Friends'.
Dramatic Theatre is delivering 20 sessions to around 2,000 Year 7 and Year 8 pupils over a four-week period before schools finish for the summer. Sessions have taken place at The Hub School in Welton, Riverside in Goole, Woldgate in Pocklington and Beverley Grammar, and sessions will take place at Longcroft in Beverley, Bridlington School, Market Weighton Secondary School, Howden School and St Anne’s in Hessle over the coming two weeks.
Councillor Victoria Aitken, cabinet member for children, families and education said: “One of My Friends is a fantastic way to engage young people in scenarios they may find themselves in and helps them to consider what they would do, their attitudes and their behaviours.
“Supporting pupils’ physical and emotional health is so important. I’m pleased that so many Year 7 and 8 pupils have been able to be a part of this relatable, honest and open conversation.”
On Monday 6 July, 150 Year 7 pupils at Beverley Grammar School took part in the sessions. Headteacher, Gavin Lord-Chappell said: “It was an absolute pleasure to have Dramatic Theatre at BGS; it was an incredibly informative, thoughtful production which challenged students to think deeply about very real experiences that they may face and to consider how they are best placed to navigate them."
Find out more about the work of Dramatic Theatre: https://www.dramatictheatre.co.uk
Pictures :- Beverley Grammar School
