FORMER APPRENTICE STAR SPEAKS FOR PUDSEY!

Business woman, Claire Young, who is passionate about youth enterprise, was originally known as an Apprentice finalist in 2008. She hopes to join children from the Academy on National Talking Day! and has this message: "To have reached the place I am now, I had to do a lot of talking - particularly in Lord Sugar's boardroom! I have never had a problem with speaking but, in these days of social networking and texting etc., verbal communication is a vital skill for young people to retain and, if they can use this skill to raise money for others less fortunate than themselves, we should support them all we can! Let's all get talking with the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy for BBC Children In Need!"

Perhaps Claire's old colleague's from The Apprentice should take note too - businesses can also take part in National Talking Day! Download details from www.helenogrady.co.uk

COUNTRYFILE STAR COMMENDS HELEN O'GRADY TALKERS!

BBC Children In Need is a charity close to the heart of television presenter, Julia Bradbury, who last year was a participant in their 'Around The World In Eighty Days'. Of National Talking Day! she said: "Children should be the next generation of talkers so I commend their efforts on National Talking Day! Having conversations to support BBC Children In Need will only not raise lots of money but also raise the children's awareness of others much less fortunate than themselves. Well done everyone in the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy!"

Julia is pictured here when she reached the top of Scafell Pike (Skyworks)

SUE PERKINS SUPPORTS NATIONAL TALKING DAY!

Comedian and television presenter, Sue Perkins, who recently invited viewers to 'get baking' for BBC Children In Need, whole heartedly supports the Academy's efforts on National Talking Day! "What better way to raise money than for children around the country to talk to each other so showing their support for children less fortunate than themselves?" she said. "We need to encourage the art of conversation so I urge everyone to put their money where their mouth is on 10th November and talk up a storm for BBC Children In Need!"

Momentum is building and we plan for every branch of the Academy in the UK to be involved in a day of talking. More information soon!

HELEN O'GRADY NATIONAL TALKING DAY! IN AID OF BBC CHILDREN IN NEED

Following the huge success last year, the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy is proud to once again host NATIONAL TALKING DAY! on Wednesday 10th November 2010, followed by a whole week of talking for money in its after school classes.

Last year, children in drama classes around the country spent a few minutes talking to parents, to teachers and to each other to raise money for BBC Children In Need. The same will be happening again in a few weeks time.

The Academy has once again set a target of £50,000 which it hopes to present, on national television, to Sir Terry and Tess at the Big Night In on Friday 19th November.

Schools and businesses will also have the opportunity to be involved, check back here for more information very soon.

The Academy is in the business of developing communication skills and this will be happening big time in November. Once again we ask everyone to "Put your money where your mouth is!" and join the country in conversation on 10th November.

REMOTE EMPLOYMENT AWARDS 2010

In a lavish ceremony yesterday at the Grand Connaught Rooms in London, National Director, Nigel Le Page, was delighted to present the Helen O'Grady Special Award to Janine Van Den Berg.

Janine was the outright winner from a shortlist of six candidates andwill become Principal of the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy in Harrow, Middlesex. Janine's background in the arts and, in particular, acting and singing, made her an excellent candidate to operate an Academy. Her passions for children and the theatre, along with her business experience, provide her with all the necessary credentials to be a most successful Academy owner. Janine will bring energy, enthusiasm and a positive approach to running her own business.

Janine said: “I have been striving towards this goal for a long time and to have won the Helen O’Grady Special Award and to have been recognised in this way is absolutely wonderful. I am over the moon and very excited to be joining such a well renowned organisation and can’t wait to start teaching the children and look forward to a long and fruitful career. I am deeply thankful to the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy and to Remote Employment for making this possible.”

Earlier in the ceremony, last year's winners spoke about the effect of winning awards. Karen Reyburn, who won last year's Home Worker Award and Polly Marsh who won the Remote Employer Award joined Nigel Le Page to answer questions. Nigel was speaking on behalf of Exeter Principal, Abbe Martin, who won the Helen O'Grady Special Award in 2009 and who was yesterday, with the new term fast approaching, busy with setting up her new classes for 2010 after a successful first year in business.

Before closing the proceedings, Ken Sheridan, co-founder of Remote Employment with Paula Wynne, introduced entrepreneurs Karen Darby (Call Britannia) and Claire Young (former runner up on 'The Apprentice') who were happy to pass on some of their knowledge to the assembled business people.

Janine is now looking forward to training with other new Helen O'Grady Franchisees in Bristol and to starting her very own classes in the New Year. All at Helen O'Grady welcome her to the network and wish her the best of luck!

KINDY DRAMA NOW AVAILABLE IN MORE AREAS

A further training day this week, in the delivery of the Kindy Drama Programme for pre-school children, means classes will be available soon in even more areas of the UK. Four Principals based in the North West of England and their teachers spent a fun day with Academy Training Manager, Margaret Darley, covering all aspects of the programme and workshopping the curriculum which will be presented to the children in the new school term.



PRINCIPALS AND TEACHERS WORKSHOP THE PLAY: "A SURPRISE FOR MUM AND DAD"

The lessons are 45 minutes long and packed with exciting elements, designed to increase children's confidence and their formative vocabulary skills. They also include training in team work, sharing skills and socialisation skills. The curriculum has songs and rhymes and lots of pros and dressing up.

"WE LOVE DRAMA - YAY!!!"

To find out more about the classes, visit our website: www.helenogrady.co.uk and contact the Principal of your local branch.

SUMMER SEMINAR

Principals from the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy met earlier this month on the beautiful island of Guernsey in the Channel Islands for another informative and motivating seminar. Part of the day was spent workshopping the curriculum for the new term and, as always, Principals joined in with gusto!

PRINCIPALS, HELEN WALLS (BROMLEY)

AND BECKY GOODFIELD (SOUTH WALES)

DEBATE A POINT IN A YOUTH THEATRE GAME

NORTH SURREY PRINCIPALS, ANDY BEYNON

AND LISA DAVIDSON ARE VERY GOOD FRIENDS REALLY!

As part of the proceedings at the July Seminar Nigel Le Page presents his National Director's Award to a Principal who has made an outstanding contribution in some way. Portsmouth Principal, Anrea Ward, was delighted to receive the award in recognition of the work she had put in to help her sister, who is Director of the charity Village Africa, organise a national ambulance drive. See earlier blogs for full details.

ANDREA RECEIVES HER AWARD FROM

NATIONAL DIRECTOR, NIGEL LE PAGE

After a busy day, everyone took the boat over to Herm for a barbecue - with tropical island theme dress! It was a beautiful evening and the dress made it very colourful to say the least!

ANA VAZ AND LILIANA BRITES, WHO

RUN A BRANCH OF THE ACADEMY IN PORTUGAL

BETH DANIEL, WHO WILL RUN

THE NORTH LEICESTERSHIRE BRANCH

AND GILL HOLLIS FROM SOUTH MANCHESTER

At these events there is always a prize for the best male and best female fancy dress of the evening. This is always a difficult decision as everyone makes a huge effort.

PRESTON PRICIPAL SARAH IBBOTSON

CERTAINLY LOOKED THE PART!

NOT SO EASY FOR THE MEN ....
'NICKOLA' (NICK) CHADWIN, SHEFFIELD PRINCIPAL,
FOUGHT OFF THE COMPETITION

THE MANAGEMENT TEAM
TRAINING MANAGER - MARGARET DARLEY
NATIONAL DIRECTOR - NIGEL LE PAGE
EXECUTIVE PRINCIPAL - ALISON MAZANEC