Opportunities for Nottingham City Schools

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Dragon Breath Theatre

Papplewick Pumping Station Museum 

May - July '24 Papplewick Pumping Station Victorian Museum 

£300 for 60 children 

An award-winning, day-long, immersive drama experience, exploring local history, engineering, science, geography, and contemporary environmental/global water management issues.   The visit to this awe-inspiring Victorian site is part of an offer including extensive online cross-curriculum resources.  It can be a one-off event, or support a half-term's thematic curriculum around water, science, geography, history and literacy.   Children’s understanding of history is fostered and embedded through empathising with live characters’ stories, and by getting their hands on practical, kinaesthetic activities.  
 

EYFS, KS1, KS2. Bring literacy to life with Lakeside Art’s storytelling sessions. Children are encouraged to join in the story using their imagination, props, and costumes. Using traditional oral storytelling skills pupils can explore themes, characters of traditional tales and myths. 

Primary and Secondary. First Story’s extra-curricular Young Writers’ Programme includes writing workshops which equip students with the skills and confidence to tell their own stories, with whole-school activities which encourage writing for pleasure. It also includes CPD for educators and access to a range of resources, events and competitions. First Story’s work expands young

people’s horizons and encourages aspirations, giving participants the skills to thrive in education - and in life. Download the PDF. Staff can also access dedicated creative writing CPD. 

Talk to them now about programmes for 2025/6

Year 7 and 8. Secondary schools are still able to access this fun and effective catch up reading programme. Help students improve their reading, get them engaged and motivated and find their reason to read today. Skills Academy costs £150. You can register an unlimited number of students on the programme throughout your 12-month subscription. When you sign up to the programme your school also receives a year's membership of the National Literacy Trust worth £100, which gives you access to all of their resources. 

Give your students the opportunity to see what it’s like behind the scenes of Nottingham Playhouse, to understand the various roles in theatre and see the teams at work. Led by a member of the Participation Team, students will hear from professionals about what they do day-to-day and how their role contributes towards the productions.  

Wed 19 March 4-7pm 14-25 year olds (KS3+)
Free (Parking charges apply)
 

This twilight  event will bring together a range of inspiring professionals from diverse backgrounds, including Jared Wilson and Sophie Gargett (Left Lion) author, Emily Brand and Poet, Georgina Wilding to share their experience of using written and spoken language creatively in their jobs and careers.
 

A series of talks, interspersed with practical tasks, will give young people a chance for hands-on experience of using creative writing in different ways, and a chance to see the diversity of uses creative and descriptive writing can have in the workplace. 
 

This will be followed by a marketplace of speakers and other local organisations to ask questions and find out more. A fantastic overview of the importance and place of writing in creative careers. 

Ages: KS1-2 

In their work with schools Freedom Foundation have seen an increase in anxiety, issues with attendance, lack of resilience and aspiration, and the negative impact of social media on young people. Drop Down Days cover important PSHE outcomes including identifying emotions, how to recognise and deal with anxiety, positive and negative impact of online behaviour, how social media and technology use affects mental wellbeing and improving self-confidence. Please email or phone for more information 0115 993 2370.

Freedom Foundation

Your School or Setting

Year Round, Free

Freedom Foundation have put together some taster sessions and assemblies showcasing what they deliver within their programmes. Their talks revolve around music, positive mindsets and mental health using creativity and the arts. There is no charge for a session and Freedom Foundation is interested in working with schools delivering termly or year-round sessions. Get in touch 

Ages 8+

The Creating Connections learning activities have been designed by NAE Associate Artists Shamila Chady and Elaine Winter for for use at home or school. Creating Connections is designed to help young people make positive connections with others their age where there is a feeling of disconnectedness due to cultural and other differences. 

Freedom Foundation deliver their 12 week Freedom Factory sessions in school time or as an after-school club. Using street dance and hip-hop, singing and song writing their 90 minute sessions with up to 30 children build confidence, resilience and aspiration, educate about the impact of social media on mental health and help children cope with common mental health problems such as anxiety, stress, depression and self-harm. 

NAE’s Associate Artists have been devising dynamic art activity ideas for young people and these are now accessible for teachers, parents and young people to download from the NAE website. 

Wednesday 12 March 2025 4-5.30pm Whitemoor Academy, Bracknell Crescent, NG8 5FF

There is strong evidence for the importance of arts and creativity to children’s health and well-being. Following the launch of the Nottingham Healthy Child vison in November 2024 we invite you to join us for a practical session exploring ways to integrate creativity into classroom practice. 

You’ll find out about practitioners and artists with relevant interest and experience that you can connect with to enhance your work, and have chance to share and learn from each other. This session is aimed at any member of staff and is particularly relevant for staff with mental health and well-being responsibilities.