Category Archives: Subjects and Themes

Catherine Wheels Theatre Company – News for Schools, Autumn 2015

September 14, 2015 S. Bullock Leave a comment

Celebrating!

Thank you all of you who visited us at the Edinburgh Fringe at Summerhall this summer. We enjoyed a sold-out run of The Voice Thief and added a Primary Times Children’s Choice Award to our office wall!

World-class Theatre in your school this spring?

A highlight of our year is always when we perform to children in their own schools in Scotland. Our in-school production for spring term 2016 is The Story of a Little Gentleman, adapted from the much-loved Swedish children’s book by Barbro Lindgren, this production is a moving and humorous story about loneliness and the power of friendship.

Little Gentleman – Info for Schools 2016

Directed by Gill Robertson.

Suitable for P1-3 Touring February – April 2015 (70 performances available)

This production is specially adapted for school halls, is quick to set up and dismantle. Running time 50 mins. Maximum audience 120.

Cost = £350 + VAT (discounts apply when booking more than one performance)

Please see attached for full booking information.

Visits to the theatre this term?

Magic Sho

A new show about a rabbit who never misses a trick and a magician who sometimes forgets to say the magic word. Created by Shona Reppe, directed by Gill Robertson and Ian Cameron.

Suitable for P1-3 Monday 5^th October at 1:30pm, Platform (Glasgow)

Thursday 19^th & Fri 20^th November at 1.30pm, Traverse Theatre (Edinburgh)

Magic Sho is touring throughout Scotland with family performances also in Stirling, Paisley, Hawick, Musselburgh, Greenock, St Andrews, Giffnock, Aberdeen, Inverness and Cumnock.

White is a playful show for very young children and is a perfect first-time theatre experience, returning to the Traverse Theatre Edinburgh this Christmas..

Created by Andy Manley and Ian Cameron. Designed by Shona Reppe.

Suitable for Nursery (or aged 2-4 years)

12^th– 24^th December, Traverse Theatre Edinburgh.

Click here for more information

Catherine Wheels Theatre Company is a multi-award winning company, based near Edinburgh, creating theatre especially for children. Since 1999, we have performed all over the world, including Broadway and Sydney Opera House but love most when we can perform at home. For more information on our theatre for schools, please contact anna@catherinewheels.co.uk

Catherine Wheels Theatre Company

Tel: +44 (0)131 653 5255

www.catherinewheels.co.uk

www.facebook.com/CatherineWheelsCompany

Colleges, Community Learning and Development, Developing the Young Workforce, Music, Secondary, THIS IS A TEST

RSNO Young Ambassadors needed – 16-18 years – from every Local Authority

September 9, 2015 S. Bullock Leave a comment

As an RSNO Young Ambassador youRSNO Young Ambassador you

can attend concerts for free and meet the

musicians and conductors. You

will also be on an advisory board to

discuss how the RSNO engages young

people in orchestral music and debate

current, relevant issues for the RSNO.

You don’t need to play an instrument

to take part in this scheme – we’re

looking for anyone who’s passionate

about making a difference to the

music scene in Scotland.

If you’re interested in becoming an

RSNO Young Ambassador, visit

www.

rsno.org.uk/young-ambassadors

to find out more and to download an

application form.

Closing date is

Thursday 17 September 2015.

You must be available for the interview

and induction day in Glasgow on

Saturday 19 September 2015

and

for a special project on

Saturday 3 and

Sunday 4 October 2015

RSNO Application Form 15-16

Young Amb Takeover 2016-web

Early Learning, Health and Wellbeing, Primary, Secondary, THIS IS A TEST

Creative Competitions for School Food Day

September 1, 2015 S. Bullock Leave a comment

Education Scotland is working in collaboration with a number of organisations to co-ordinate activities to celebrate Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink 2015.

You will find all of the currently active competitions on this page. Find out what’s on offer and submit your entry.

School Food Day

School Food Day 2015 is on September 23 and it’s the perfect time to celebrate Scotland’s natural larder.

Get your school involved by making a food pledge. You could:

Join the 12 noon lunch crunch by encouraging everyone to eat an apple at noon;
Hold a Scottish food festival;
Invite parents to school for lunch;
Run a food tasting challenge and try a Scottish food you’ve never had before.

Scottish Product Competition

Encourage learners to put their entrepreneurial skills to the test by designing a healthy new product that would increase the uptake of school meals.

The product must include at least one Scottish food or drink ingredient and be backed by an innovative advertising campaign.

Schools should submit their entries to foodforthought@educationscotland.gsi.gov.uk by 23 September 2015.

Initial ideas should fit on one A4 sheet. These will be shortlisted by a team of judges, with up to 10 schools chosen to participate in a final event on December 4 at Brakes Scottish headquarters at Newhouse, North Lanarkshire.

Pupils participating in the final event will receive a support pack, and costs of transport ot the final venue will be covered.

Scottish School Meal Recipe Competition

This competition aims to promote pupils’ creativity and cooking skills by encouraging them to devise a recipe featuring Scottish produce that could be added to the school meals menu.

Recipes should include a combination of healthy ingredients, including at least one item of Scottish food or drink.

Pupils should research the the main food standards for school meal provision in Scotland, and they are advised to consult school cooks when planning their recipes.

Entries should be sent to foodforthought@educationscotland.gsi.gov.uk by 23 September 2015. Winners will be notified by December 4.

Local Provenance Poster Competition

Pupils are being encouraged to think about where our food comes from by creating posters that highlight Scottish produce.

The aim is to boost understanding of local provenance as well as the skills involved in the processing and production of traditional products including milk, potatoes and fish.

Entries should be sent to The Optima, 58 Robertson Street, Glasgow, G2 8DU or foodforthought@educationscotland.gsi.gov.uk by 23 September 2015. Winners will be notified by December 4.

Posters should be A4 or A3, landscape or portrait, with the entrant’s name, school, class and school telephone number on the back.

Download details of all the competitions

PDF file: Food and health – Competitions 2015 (982 KB)

Colleges, Dance, Research and Strategy, Secondary, THIS IS A TEST

Spectacular A grade results for dance students at Eden Court

August 31, 2015 S. Bullock Leave a comment

This week, Eden Court have revealed another year of consistently high exam results from their trio of SQA drama and dance courses, and have been earmarked as an exemplar of best practice by the Scottish Qualification Authority.

Supported by Highland Council and Highlife Highland, Eden Court CREATIVE provides tuition in National 5 Drama, Higher Drama and Higher Dance courses for students whose schools often can’t provide these qualifications. All of the classes, assessments and performances take place over weekends and holidays to fit around regular schooling, and students can attend from all corners of the Highlands; so participation requires a lot of dedication and the results seem to speak for themselves!

Among the 35 students who took one the courses in 2014-15, the theatre has announced a 100% pass rate, with at least 21 students achieving an ‘A’. This shows even further improvement on the results in 2013-14, which also returned a 100% pass rate and saw 12 ‘A’ grades from the 28 student intake.

The Higher Dance students did particularly well, with all six students achieving ‘A’ grades, and the results are being noticed in wider circles. SQA recently contacted Eden Court CREATIVE to request video footage of Higher Dance classes to use as an exemplar of best practice throughout Scotland.

Lucy McGlennon, Eden Court CREATIVE Manager said:

Our SQA courses are going from strength to strength, each year we are seeing more students taking part and their work continues to improve. We work hard to provide the best learning opportunities we can for these disciplines, which some students wouldn’t have access to otherwise and it’s wonderful to see those opportunities being recognised – we’re all incredibly proud of our students and the work they’ve produced!

The 2015-16 session started during the summer holidays and this year received the highest number of successful applications to date, all three courses are at full capacity. Details for next year’s courses are published by Eden Court CREATIVE in December and anyone interested in receiving further information is encouraged to email creative@eden-court.co.uk.

Colleges, Community Learning and Development, Developing the Young Workforce, Music, Secondary, THIS IS A TEST

Aged 15-25 in the Renfrewshire area? Creative Industries Programme

August 26, 2015 S. Bullock Leave a comment

RSNO Paisley Takeover

Interested in a career in the arts or creative industries? Aged 15 – 25 and live or study in the Renfrewshire area? Then this is for you!

Takeover is an intensive employability programme open to anyone living or studying in the Renfrewshire area aged 15 – 25 years. This project is being run as part of the Paisley City of Culture 2021 Bid.

We’re looking for around 60 young people to work across the departments of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) to produce a public concert as part of The Spree festival.

Opportunities will exist across all aspects of the organisation. For those over 18 there are places available in marketing, development, learning and engagement, artistic planning, presentation & operations, conducting and performing as a musician in the orchestra.

School pupils can apply to learning & engagement, conducting and as a musician in the orchestra.

For more information on the types of roles within the RSNO, please see our Careers Booklet.

The opportunity to participate is free but you must be available on the dates outlined below.

To participate, please download, complete and return an application form to natalie.weir@renfrewshire.gov.uk or post to:

RSNO Paisley Takeover

Town Centres Events and Projects Team

Renfrewshire House

Cotton Street

Paisley

PA1 1JB

Application forms can be downloaded from the RSNO website: http://www.rsno.org.uk/engage/paisley-takeover/

Key dates for Paisley Takeover 2015 for school pupils:

What	Date	Who	Venue
Closing date for applications	31 August	All applicants	n/a
Interview date	25 Aug & 3 Sep	All applicants	Renfrewshire House
Induction morning – TBC	5 September	All participants	Paisley Grammar
Concert	12 & 13 October	All participants	Paisley Town Hall
Learning and Engagementworkshops	5 – 9 October &12-15 October	Only those involved in the L&E department	Schools across Paisley& The Spiegeltent at The Spree
Musician rehearsals	26 September, 3 & 10 October	Only those who are playing in the orchestra	Paisley Abbey

Download the PDF here: RSNO Paisley Takeover

Art and Design, Colleges, Community Learning and Development, Primary, Research and Strategy, Secondary

Travelling Gallery is touring Scotland – Turner Prize Winners

August 21, 2015 S. Bullock Leave a comment

EYES ON THE PRIZE

Touring Scotland in the Travelling Gallery from 21^st August – December 2015

This year will be the first year the prestigious Turner Prize, award by the Tate Gallery will take place in Scotland when it will be hosted by the Tramway art space in Glasgow from October to January. To complement this event the Travelling Gallery is delighted to bring to you this exhibition which includes art from a selection of the Scottish artists who have been past Turner Prize winners and nominees.

Artists included in the exhibition are: Christine Borland with Brody Condon, Martin Boyce, Ian Hamilton Finlay, Douglas Gordon, Callum Innes, Jim Lambie, Ciara Phillips, David Shrigley, and Lucy Skaer. Many of the artists in this exhibition have exhibited previously in the Travelling Gallery, albeit some time ago and before their Turner nominations, so it has been a great pleasure to work with them again and exhibit new or recent work.

Travelling Gallery Curator Alison Chisholm said “We have a great line-up of some of the most successful contemporary artists to come from Scotland in this exhibition and we are really looking forward to taking it on tour”.

The Travelling Gallery is a mobile contemporary art gallery, custom-built in a big, beautiful bus. The gallery is supported by Creative Scotland, the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and the Museums and Arts Division of the City of Edinburgh Council. The EYES ON THE PRIZE exhibition has been curated specifically for this unique space, and will travel the length and breadth of Scotland, visiting schools, high streets, community centres, and many other venues on the way. Travelling Gallery staff are always available to give formal, and not so formal, presentations on the exhibition at every stop.

The Travelling Gallery is fresh from its recent partnership with V&A Dundee. The Design In Motion exhibition displayed the work of 7 Scottish designers who use digital technology to explore new ways of working. The tour was a great success and resulted in the Travelling Gallery’s first visit to London where it parked outside the V&A Museum in South Kensington.

The Design In Motion exhibition came with a new temporary livery for the Travelling Gallery – who have now commissioned artist Mike Inglis to design a stunning new look for the mobile gallery – The Ark Camps. Mike Inglis will be giving a talk about his new design when the Travelling Gallery visits Custom House in Leith on Thursday 27^th August as part of LeithLate 2015.

The Travelling Gallery will tour EYES ON THE PRIZE to schools and community venues in the following areas:

22-28 August Edinburgh
1-4 September Glasgow
7 -18 September Highlands
21-25 September Orkney Isles
28 Sept – 2 October Highlands
5 October Nairn
6-9 October Moray
19-23 October East Dunbartonshire
26-30 October South Ayrshire
2-6 November Perth and Kinross
9-12 November North Ayrshire
16-20 November Dumfries and Galloway
23-27 November West Lothian and Stirling
30 Nov – 5 December Glasgow

During the Edinburgh Art Festival the Travelling Gallery will be visiting the following venues:

22 August City Art Centre, Edinburgh 11-5
25 August Collective Gallery, Calton Hill, Edinburgh 11-6
26 August George Street, Edinburgh 11-5
27 August Custom House, Leith – A LeithLate 2015 event 12-6
28 August Modern 2, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art 10-6

Music, Secondary

Ten Pieces for Secondary Schools is launching

August 18, 2015 S. Bullock Leave a comment

As you may know already, last year BBC Music and Learning created a ground-breaking initiative designed to open up the world of classical music in a fresh and exciting way to a generation of children and inspire their creativity. Ten Pieces is the BBC’s biggest investment in music education and was launched last autumn with a spectacular cinematic film for Primary school children introducing them to 10 pieces of classical music.

After such a huge success in more than 11,000 primary schools, we will be ready with another set of Ten Pieces for secondary schools in the new academic year. The new repertoire is really exciting for the 11-14 age-group and there are many ways that students can respond creatively to these ten pieces.

The BBC is collaborating with more than 250 Ten Pieces Champions across the UK, including Music Education Hubs and Music Services, Bridges, local orchestras, film, dance and other arts organisations all working with schools to deliver music and arts education.

Starting with special screenings in cinemas across the country and ending with a major celebratory event in Summer 2016 – Ten Pieces Secondary will open up the world of classical music to children and encourage them to develop their own creative responses to the pieces through music, dance, performance poetry, coding, or digital art.

The new Ten Pieces film will be shown in cinemas from 5th October. It will feature performances of all the Ten Pieces by the BBC Philharmonic, alongside presentation from the likes of actor Christopher Eccleston, Radio 1 DJ Clara Amfo, rapper & comedian Doc Brown, singer Pixie Lott, ex-footballer Dion Dublin, poet & author Lemn Sissay, star of “Wolfblood” Bobby Lockwood and TV presenters James May & Naomi Wilkinson. You can sign up here to see the film at the cinema, but please make sure to book your free seats asap to avoid disappointment.

The BBC will also be providing a free DVD for every secondary school – which you can order now – as well as lesson plans, downloadable audio files of the repertoire (including backing tracks), arrangements of the pieces for mixed ability groups, inspirational masterclass films, composer profiles, Ten Pieces Extra films (exploring the music and the living composers in more depth), cross-curricular resources, music tech resources and performance guides. There’s more to explore here, and the resources will start to appear on the website over the course of the summer, and will all be in place by 1^st September.

It would be great to have you and your students on board for the very exciting second phase of the Ten Pieces project!

If you require any further information please contact me directly or the Ten Pieces team at tenpieces@bbc.co.uk

Colleges, Dance, Developing the Young Workforce, Secondary, THIS IS A TEST

National Youth Dance Company of Scotland Auditions

August 17, 2015 S. Bullock Leave a comment

We’re holding auditions on Saturday 26 September for the 2015/2016 National Youth Dance Company of Scotland.

We’re seeking exceptional contemporary dancers aged 16 – 21 either from or living in Scotland.

The new Company will work with Anna Kenrick (YDance Artistic Director) to create a new contemporary dance piece to be toured in venues nationally and internationally.

Download an application from the YDance website now and submit to us before the deadline on Friday 11 September.

Art and Design, Colleges, Community Learning and Development, Primary, Research and Strategy, Secondary

Travelling Gallery is touring Scotland again – Preview

August 14, 2015 S. Bullock Leave a comment

Preview: Friday 21st August 5:30 – 7:30pm

at TRAVELLING GALLERY, CITY ART CENTRE, 2 Market Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1DE
Refreshments provided

EYES ON THE PRIZE

Touring Scotland in the Travelling Gallery from 21^st August – December 2015

The Travelling Gallery will tour EYES ON THE PRIZE to schools and community venues in the following areas:

During the Edinburgh Art Festival the Travelling Gallery will be visiting the following venues:

Dance, Health and Wellbeing, Primary, Secondary

FREE – Postgraduate Course in Effective Teaching and Learning in 3 – 14 Dance

August 14, 2015 S. Bullock Leave a comment

This new 20 credit course at Masters level has been developed by YDance and the University of Glasgow to support teachers who have little or no training in how to teach dance and to deliver a rounded subject which falls under expressive arts and physical education.

The course is funded by Creative Scotland, therefore places are free to all participants.

Teachers who wish to apply must be General Teaching Council (GTC) qualified and working in a Scottish school.

The first course will take place in the Highlands from 26 September – 29 November 2015 and the deadline for this round of applications is Monday 31 August 2015.

A second course in Glasgow will run from 30 January – 19 March 2016 and the application deadline is Monday 2 November 2015.

Click here to read more about the course and download an application.

School Food Day

Scottish Product Competition

Scottish School Meal Recipe Competition

Local Provenance Poster Competition

Download details of all the competitions

News, opportunities, research and strategy relating to creative teaching and learning in Scotland