Pupils Receive A Dramatic Message

An eight week programme of drama sessions for schools in the Walton area of Liverpool is helping to make pupils aware of issues which are having a negative impact in some communities today.

Liverpool Housing Trust (LHT) has been working with Altru Drama Ltd (Altru) to deliver drama workshops for Key Stage 1 pupils (age 5 – 7 years) which address issues such as violence, nuisance behaviour and bad language, making positive choices, friendship and respect.

LHT Regeneration Officer Laura Ierston said: “This is a fun, participative way for children to learn. Tackling such issues at an early stage provides young people with information helping them to make positive choices.”

LHT and Altru will also work with older pupils (age 7+) on a ‘Play in a Day’ project where children create their own piece of theatre based on national curriculum subjects, developing skills and promoting positive behaviour, team work and confidence.

Kate Gorst, Director, Altru commented: “The drama sessions are designed to encourage young children to explore the issues in a non-threatening way that encourages them to make positive choices, consider their own behaviour and work with others to develop an understanding of themselves, their community and the world around them.”

Primary Teacher, Vikki Griffiths from Arnot St Mary’s Primary School commended the project, stating: “The children learned how to work well in a team; they learned that caring for one another and their community enables them to be happy as well. Targeting this age group is crucial if we want to change attitudes for the future”

The schools drama project is part of a wide range of engagement initiatives undertaken by LHT’s regeneration team to promote positive activity among young people.