Arts in London

A couple of weeks ago we had our annual residential trip to London with some of the children I teach. It's one of those trips where we try to cram in as much as possible and we get home feeling completely shattered, but happy. This year was no exception.

Monday morning and bright and early (6.45am) we met the students at school and set off by coach. It's a long way from the northeast, but we made good time and arrived at our accommodation at about 3pm.

St Paul's at night

We were staying at the Youth Hostel at St Paul's. Its a great location for exploring central London. It's cheap, clean and comfortable. We use it as it's perfectly set up for large groups and is a safe place rather than a large hotel with the general public being able to access all floors. At the YHA you can only access the corridor where your room is. The YHA also provide a great breakfast and packed lunch at a good price. We even had one of our evening meals there.

One of our favourite places to take the group is the Rainforest Cafe. It's a fantastic place to eat. the food is good and the kids love the environment. We walked from there to the Gillian Lynne Theatre to see School of Rock. The Gilliam Lynne Theatre is a modern Theatre, which meant that the view was good, no matter where you were sitting. We had good seats right in the centre. The show is the stage version of the film that stars Jack Black. I wasn't sure if I would like it. It's a good show and I did enjoy it, even if it would not have been my personal choice. Our students really loved it.

Once we had taken our coach back to the hostel and got everyone settles it was time to relax for half an hour before bed. This trip has been the very first I have ever taken where the children have settled quickly on the first night. Consequently, they were up bright and early the next day, ready for our activities.

Inside the globe

We had booked a tour and workshop at Shakespeares Globe. Our group was split into two and each group taken by an actor, who showed us the theatre and talked about why it was built and the way it was set up. then we went off to do a drama workshop focusing on Macbeth, as that's the play they had been studying. They had such a great time.

Making Art at the Tate Modern

Art at the Tate Modern

After eating lunch outside the Tate Modern we explored the gallery for a while. My group found the space where they could make art and together they made pieces to add to the existing installation in the room. we then had a look at some of the artwork on display. the children made their own little videos about the work.

The dome of St Paul's from the inside

We headed back over the river and into St Paul's Cathedral, where they looked for tombs of famous people and some artwork.

As people started to arrive for evensong, our group headed back to the YHA to chill and relax for a bit before tea, which we ate at the hostel. Then we headed back to Shakespeare's globe for the evening performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream. This is part of the summer season and is on over the coming weeks at various times. The children enjoyed the slapstick comedy of the piece, but some found the plot a bit confusing - but then it is isn't it! The performance was excellent. There was lots of audience participation, adlibs, singing and fun. If you get the chance to see it, then you should go. It's well worth it. If you're a bit strapped for cash you can join the groundlings (standing tickets) for just £5.

Some of the sights at the WB studio tour

On Wednesday morning we headed out for a short walk and then collected our bags and back on the coach out of the city to the Warner Brother's Studio Tour. This is where they made the Harry Potter films. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but the tour is excellent. Lots to see and a great advocate for the creative industries - exactly where art might lead you! It was then a very long journey home and a late night.

Hogwarts model

Over the next couple of days, I asked the children which parts of the trip they enjoyed the most. I'm glad to say every different activity was mentioned. They had a great time and I'm planning the next trip already. This never ends!!!

Just a few more days until the summer break and a long rest!

Art Schools

Bob & Roberta Smith

It's drawing close to the end of the summer term and with just one week to go, I can safely say this term has been very busy and I'm very tired. The last few weeks have seemed like a treadmill with no time to really relax.

 

In my head the summer term should be a lot more laid back and chilled - in reality, it's probably one of the busiest times of the year. Reports to write, tests and exams to be sat and marked, new students to meet and some to say goodbye to. Last week the year 6 SATs results came out and it brings into focus for me the imbalance in the educational drive of the UK.

We have great Arts education here but is under threat as more and more schools drop the creative subjects at primary level to focus on English and Maths in order for children to "pass" their SATs. At GCSE level, schools are directing students to take Ebacc subjects which have resulted in some high school arts course completely folding. I hate it! I actually get quite angry when I hear of this happening and the arts being sidelined as subjects you do if you 'cant' do other subjects. I know from my experience that those children who engage with the arts generally do well in other subjects and have a different way of processing information and are more able to think outside the box.

As you can tell I'm passionate about arts education and last week I had the opportunity to take some of our students to London for an arts enrichment experience. We had a jam-packed three days and saw lots of stuff. It was hot and tiring - but brilliant.

44 students and 5 staff set out early from school on Thursday morning, we travelled by coach and checked into our accommodation at 4pm before enjoying a meal out and off to the Cambridge Theatre to see the production of Matilda. Our Friday activities included the Tate modern, a tour and drama workshop at the Globe theatre, focusing on Macbeth and a visit to St Paul's Cathedral. The whispering gallery was the highlight for most students here. We finished the evening at the Underbelly festival seeing Circolombia - the most jaw-dropping acrobatics I have ever seen!

Finally, our weekend culminated in the Royal Academy Summer show. I wasn't quite sure what the Children would think of it. But they really enjoyed it. I'm hoping to go back again over the summer to see it again with my husband. I'm also hoping to see the Frida Kahlo exhibition at the V&A.

Our Arts experience didn't end there as on return to school on Monday I was put to good use finishing off the backdrop for the school show. Plenty of our students took part and were amazing in their performances. 

I'm so thankful that the school I work in values the arts and I know the students got so much out of it. I just hope this doesn't become eroded away under pressures from the government.