Programmes for secondary schools

A powerful workshop that explores the diversity of ethnic and religious experience in 21st Century Britain. It highlights the need for mutual respect, and for understanding of the affects of stereotyping, prejudice, bullying, racism and discrimination and how to challenge them assertively.

duration: 50 minutes
audience: from 90 up to 120 students
format: interactive Forum theatre performance

Video package also available

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Using Arc's My England educational film resource to engage directly with teenagers, Neville Lawrence visits schools to share his experiences with young people. Exploring difference, understanding and respect with a passion that touches his audience in a dynamic way, My Story is designed to fulfil key aspects of the Citizenship curriculum

duration: 60 minutes up to three sessions in one school per day
audience: one class size
format: video and conversation workshop

Please call for availability.

View My Story publicity leaflet (64k)

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In a safe environment we explore the importance of resolving conflict fairly. This programme looks at how we treat others, the language we use, what is offensive and the dynamics of bullying. As well as raising confidence and self-esteem, Work it Out is designed to build teams and promote respect for all.

duration: 50 minutes
audience: from 90 up to 120 students
format: interactive Forum theatre performance

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Using live, interactive theatre, we invite young people to think about their choices and the consequences of their actions on the environment in a humorous and engaging way.

duration: 50 minutes
audience: from 90 up to 120 students
format: interactive Forum theatre performance

Also suitable for Key Stage 2

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One of a series of transport safety programmes originally commissioned by Essex County Council on behalf of the Essex Post 16 Transport Partnership. Busted works by focusing on the consequences of behaving irresponsibly on school and public transport and offering clear rules for safer travelling.

duration: 50 minutes
audience: from 90 up to 120 students
format: interactive Forum theatre performance

Review of Busted (170k)

Testimonial

"The performances were excellent. The actors were outstanding, but what was crucial was their empathy with both students and characters and their ability to communicate with the audience. If you want to sit back and enjoy a play, go to the West End, but if you want to take risks, sit on the edge and feel a warm glow of professional satisfaction afterwards, try Arc Theatre."

Colin Bye - Deputy Headteacher, Brentwood Country High School

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Two Way Street is all about choices. It takes a gritty look at the causes and consequences of crime including anti-social behaviour, vandalism, theft and assault. Young people are encouraged to take an honest look at their roles in society, the effects of crime on the community, rights and responsibilities and understanding the law.

duration: 50 minutes
audience: from 90 up to 120 students
format: interactive Forum theatre performance

Testimonial

"I am delighted to report that to date there have been no exclusions in relation to weapon carrying. This is quite a contrast to this time last year! I really do believe that by taking such a relevant real-life issue for young people, involving them in the script and getting them involved in the performance really brings it home to the audience. Our objectives were completed and our expectations were over-reached. Thank you once again for helping us to tackle this issue."

Jan Goldfinch - Extended Schools Co-ordinator, Eastbury Comprehensive School, Barking

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An effective new way to learn how to communicate confidently with peers and adults; to recognise when others need help and how to support them; to negotiate within relationships, understanding that actions have consequences and when and how to make compromises. Together we explore the nature of friendship and how to make and keep friends.

duration: 70 minutes
audience: from 90 up to 120 students
format: performance followed by interactive Forum theatre workshop

Also suitable for KS2

Follow-up Presentation Skills workshop also available

Testimonial

"Arc's drama technique is very powerful - bringing the learning to the young people by making them part of the experience. The scripted play reaches a point where all the characters are stuck - the performance stops and the audience is asked what could happen next. That's when the children light up - they see the actors put their ideas into practice. But it could only work with very skilled performers like Arc's."

Stephen Serpell - BT FutureTalk in Education

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This challenging programme delivers the hard facts and law surrounding illegal substances, alcohol, tobacco and the risks of misusing prescribed drugs. It opens a forum to explore feelings, attitudes, life-style, peer-pressure and choices.

duration: 50 minutes
audience: from 90 up to 120 students
format: interactive Forum theatre performance

Evening family performances also available

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We tackle another sensitive subject using theatre as a catalyst for debate. Exploring the causes and consequences of high-risk behaviour, peer pressure, choices and responsibilities, this programme creates a powerful arena within which to talk about the stuff that matters.

duration: 50 minutes
audience: from 90 up to 120 students
format: interactive Forum theatre performance

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Originally commissioned by the Avon & Somerset Criminal Justice Board to explore the journey through the Criminal Justice System of a 16 year-old boy, this half-day programme is specially designed to support the teaching of National Curriculum Citizenship for year 10 and 11 pupils. First produced for schools in 2005, the programme can be used effectively as a powerful resource to stimulate and engage pupils with particular reference to Unit 2 (Crime - young people and car crime) and Unit 3 (Challenging racism and discrimination) of the QCA Schemes of Work. Teachers have also used Stereo across other areas of the curriculum including English, PSHE, Drama, RE and Social Sciences at both KS4 and in the Sixth Form. However the Stereo programme is employed, our dynamic live performance with skilled actors offers the opportunity for a shared experience for a whole year group, which in turn acts as a catalyst for discussion in tutor groups and beyond school.

Co-ordinated, shared performances for parents also available.

duration: 60 minutes
audience: from 90 up to 120 students
format: interactive Forum theatre performance workshop

Testimonial

"Our students derived insight and entertainment from the drama, both in terms of the many issues raised by the play - stereotyping, the Criminal Justice System, personal responsibility, family relationships and the nature of respect to name just a few..."

Stephen Frayne - Connexions Co-ordinator, St James' Catholic High School, Barnet

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Details of the Stereo Performance and Workshop Programme, autumn 2006 (392k)

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duration: 50 minutes
audience: from 90 up to 120 students
format: performance led drama workshop

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duration: 50 minutes
audience: from 90 up to 120 students
format: interactive Forum theatre performance

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An invaluable programme for young people looking at opportunities to bring about social change, locally, nationally and globally. What are your rights and responsibilities? How can you contribute to society? Can you effect change as an individual? We offer guidance, motivation, confidence and practical strategies to help students fulfil their potential.

duration: 50 minutes
audience: from 90 up to 120 students
format: interactive Forum theatre performance

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Looking at our world as a global community, Remembering explores both the legal and human rights and responsibilities underpinning society, and how they relate to individuals. We highlight Holocaust and asylum seeker issues, along with the role played by the media.

duration: 50 minutes
audience: from 90 up to 120 students
format: interactive Forum theatre performance

Can be accompanied by a drama workshop with smaller group sizes.

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Breathing Space has been developed in partnership with Samaritans and examines the causes, symptoms and treatments of stress and depression in young people. The programme identifies strategies for prevention and management, including who and how to ask for help.

duration: 50 minutes
audience: from 90 up to 120 students
format: interactive Forum theatre performance

Video and workshop package also available

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We explore how young people are equipped for working life in a changing world, including key skills, the changing nature of school and work, and attitudes, aspirations, choices and opportunities. We help weigh-up post-16 options including employment, training and further education, along with the financial implications.

duration: 50 minutes
audience: from 90 up to 120 students
format: interactive Forum theatre performance

Testimonial

"The lucky young people who get to see this vibrant, credible play will be free to voice their innermost worries. They'll see the points of view of the adults around them and build on their own strengths and emotional literacy. They'll enjoy the irony as Phil, thought to be abandoning his schoolwork, in fact uses his IT skills to try and solve one of his problems, thereby getting more 'work ready'. It should be compulsory viewing for adults too."

Adrienne Katz - Director, Young Voice

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There is a recognised link between eating patterns and self-image, leading to eating disorders and self-harm. Here we learn how to identify and understand possible problems and how to seek help. We look at the significance of the media in society and the affects of peer pressure and bullying, while promoting confidence and raising self-esteem.

duration: 50 minutes
audience: from 90 up to 120 students
format: interactive Forum theatre performance

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Sound Beginnings focuses on the induction and orientation of students to new schools, buildings, subjects, courses and people. It looks at causes of behaviour and the effects on the school community. By working together we set ground rules and develop action plans to encourage safety, well-being and respect for all.

duration: 60 minutes
audience: from 90 up to 120 students
format: interactive Forum theatre performance

Ground rules/code of conduct workshops also available

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Do you know what signals you give when you walk? Or how you come across when you talk? Good communication and presentation skills are essential for those preparing to enter the workplace. This workshop equips students with techniques needed to make a good impression and deal effectively with adult situations. Building confidence and self-esteem, the programme is a must for young people.

duration: 90 minutes
audience: from 30 up to 60 students
format: demonstration and practical workshop

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A challenging look into Climate Change. We explore the hard scientific facts, the moral and ethical views and our part as individuals in a global community. Using live, interactive theatre, we invite people to think about their choices and the consequences of their actions on the environment.

duration: 60 minutes
audience: from 90 up to 120 students
format: interactive Forum theatre performance

Testimonial

"I would like to thank you formally and personally for the wonderful workshop. We had excellent feedback from the participants ... There was a constant buzz, which hasn't stopped, and many have called to say how they had enjoyed and appreciated having had this opportunity to learn about the concept of forum theatre... The special approach Arc developed, mixing forum theatre and science to challenge and engage the public on the Climate Change issue, is a very powerful tool for science communication and audience participation."

Sonia Feldman - Science and Education Officer, British Council Israel

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Led by our professional team of directors and actors, we deliver a programme of practical skills and techniques designed to complement current A Level and BTEC drama courses. Using set text workshops we work to extend understanding of the piece and develop individual abilities.

Group size: 30 students

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