NEW KINDY DRAMA NOW WIDELY AVAILABLE

Some time ago, the Academy piloted 'Kindy Drama' classes for pre-school children. These classes are now widely available around the country. Visit the website to find out if there is a class near you.

The acclaimed drama programme, which has changed the lives of thousands of children over the last sixteen years in the UK, has been adapted for the younger children. With the emphasis on self development the lessons include some basic speech exercises, lots of movement and some 'dramatic' content each week.

These children were taking part in a short play and imagining they were being moulded out of playdough. Their nursery teacher, who always stays to join in and observe the classes said: "This really captured their imagination. They concentrated so hard and could all tell us what shape they had made"

Using stories, rhymes and songs, classes encourage children to listen carefully, to take turns and share and gives them the confidence to speak out with clarity and conviction. Many will go on to join the primary programme when they start school.

These classes are carried out privately and in nurseries and pre-schools. Contact your local branch to find out what is available in your area.

ACADEMY OPENS NEW BRANCH IN WESTERN ISLES, FURTHEST NORTH LOCATION IN THE WORLD!

A very excited group of children from Tong Primary School on the Isle of Lewis following their first drama lesson.

New Principal, Isabelle Maciver (R) with Head of Tong School, Dorothy Kennedy

National Training Manager, Margaret Darley, demonstrating pre-school drama with nursery children in Tong.

This week has seen the opening of the Academy's latest branch in the Western Isles. The Isle of Lewis, where classes are commencing, is the largest and most populous of the Outer Hebridean Islands. The main town, Stornoway, has just over 6,000 residents.

New Principal, Isabelle McIver, has worked with children on the island for many years
and is well known and respected by Head Teachers. She will deliver the curriculum, in after school classes, initially to children from age 5 to 11. Margaret Darley, Training Manager for the Academy, spent the week with her, introducing the programme to schools in the area. Margaret also demonstrated the Academy's new 'Kindy Drama', which will be on offer on Lewis in the new year.

Margaret said: "This is something completely new to the island. Children and parents alike were thrilled with the lessons. Isabelle is an excellent teacher and we know she will offer exciting and fun lessons to all age groups. The school staff I met were impressed with the comprehensive curriculum and the high standard of delivery and are more than happy to recommend the programme to their students."

For more information locally Isabelle can be contacted on 07548 200312.

NEW PRE-SCHOOL 'KINDY DRAMA'

This week Principals and teachers from the Academy gathered in Manchester and London to train for the exciting new pre-school Kindy Drama Programme, being launched nationally this term. They were required to sing 'The Goodbye Song' (pictured) at the end of their training session as the pre-schoolers will do at the end of their drama lesson! The classes have already been trialled successfully in four areas of the UK and will be available nationwide over the next few months.

The aim of the programme is to give 3 and 4 year olds confidence, self esteem and a good grounding in basic conversational skills. This is done through very busy lessons - which include story, dressing up, some fun speech work and lots of songs and poems. The Academy has already developed these skills for tens of thousands of older children for the last fifteen years.

Training was great fun, Principals loved playing the part of 3 year olds! - and everyone is very excited about their new classes.