Kneehigh ’s Wagstaffe Residencies

Following o­n from a similar programme of work last year, Kneehigh Theatre have again worked with Creative Partnerships and five Cornwall secondary schools to inspire students and teachers this spring.

Linking to the touring show ‘Wagstaffe the Wind Up Boy ’ Mullion, Mounts Bay, Sir James Smith’s, Looe and Brannel schools enjoyed o­ne-week residencies and marketing programmes from January to March that provided an exciting two-way interaction between professional theatre and education.

Tamsin Harvey, co-ordinating the residencies o­n behalf of Creative Partnerships, says: “The most exciting thing was the hidden talent that emerged across the board, as the young people gained experience in working closely with talented professional film makers, artists, writers and performers, and began seeing a new way of understanding the processes behind live performance.”

Jackie Matthews of Mullion School says, “Working outside of school with adults and in an adult environment was a very valuable learning experience, and it was a delight to see the way the students blossomed under the expert and enthusiastic guidance of the Kneehigh team. Hopefully, as well as staying with them and helping them to continue to grow in maturity, this experience will also begin to filter down through them to others in the school.”

Helen Nicholls also of Mullion adds: “The main strength was the way in which the ‘teachers ’ treated the pupils like adults – giving them more responsibility and forming a mutual respect. The pupils were at ease, willing to contribute and participate without worrying about making mistakes – there was no ‘right and wrong ’.”

Bianca Bickley of Looe says: “I believe the project had a huge impact o­n the students who took part and encouraged them to work confidently. I also think working with professionals and also seeing them in action showed how what they do in drama could be put into an actual production.”

The marketing techniques that happened behind the scenes, with students learning all aspects of promoting theatre work, have inspired students to set up their own promoting companies in some schools. Tamsin Harvey says, ”It ’s been a great learning process for everyone involved -lots of things are carrying o­n, like the promoters groups such as o­ne Step Forward at Mullion School, and Crow 16 at Mounts Bay.”

For some secondary schools the impact goes even further. Tamsin adds: “Partnerships between the Kneehigh practitioners and the secondary schools have really been developed through this programme of work. In many cases the teachers have also had an opportunity to see students in a new light, recognising talents they may not have seen before.”

Sarah Griffiths of Brannel concurs: “All aims were met plus much more. Our experiences have inspired us to organise collapsed timetable days and to work more creatively in our own subject areas, as we have seen the benefits of thinking outside the box and of working in a less restrictive manner.”

And since Wagstaffe, Mullion School has now given Jackie Matthews the opportunity to create a module with the Young People ’s Arts Awards students, carrying o­n with the marketing activity in curriculum time, working towards their YPAA awards. Tamsin adds: “It has also been a really key part of their work towards Specialist Status.”

Sarah Griffiths sums up: “It ’s hard to find the words to describe the impact the project had o­n our twelve students. They have grown in confidence and have learned skills that they will use for life.”

For more information about the Wagstaffe residencies and the o­ngoing work, you can contact Tamsin Harvey at tharvey@cornwall.gov.uk or phone her o­n 01872 275187.