Kingston College Foundation Learning/SEND students are working on a new project with actors from the Mousetrap Theatre Projects. The actors are coming into the College once a week to meet with the students and help prepare them for employment with Next Stage, which are their specialist drama workshops for SEND students.
Next Stage uses participatory drama workshops to develop the essential skills and mind-set that students need to become workplace ready. Delivered by expert Creative Practitioners in collaboration with Kingston College staff, the workshops are structured to complement existing programmes for SEND students in FE, such as Supported Internships or Employment Preparation.
Based in the heart of the West End, Mousetrap Theatre Projects are a theatre education charity dedicated to enriching the lives of young people. They believe all young people should have the opportunity to enjoy, learn and benefit from seeing live theatre, irrespective of their cultural, social or economic background.
Each year, they run a range of subsidised theatre- going programmes and Creative Learning projects which help to make London’s incredible theatre scene accessible to young people, low-income families, mainstream and SEND state schools, and those with additional needs.
The projects include tickets to a West End theatre show, 8 x 90-minute drama workshops in college, a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) session for staff, a Communication Impact workshop, a visit to a theatre-related workplace e.g. a West End theatre or theatre marketing agency.
The students were thrilled to visit the Lyceum Theatre in London for a matinee of The Lion King, Disney’s beloved film which has been transformed into a spectacular theatrical experience that explodes with glorious colours, stunning effects and enchanting music.
Student Cerian Taylor commented: “This was an amazing experience and the puppets looked real!” Harry Tomkinson added: “I really enjoyed the day out, the show was fantastic!”
Through Next Stage, students develop employability skills in several key areas including creativity, communication and presentation skills, listening skills, resilience, team-playing, evaluation and goal-setting.
The students also have the opportunity to achieve a Bronze Arts Award - a Level 1 Award in the Arts. This qualification is designed to inspire learners up to the age of 25 to grow their arts and leadership talents.
