After-School Drama Clubs Support Local Primary Schools

Leeds Heritage Theatres Develops Drama Clubs to Boost Confidence

Leeds Heritage Theatres has been running after-school drama clubs in local primary schools since 2022, aiming to help young people develop confidence, wellbeing, communication, and teamwork skills. The initiative is part of the organisation’s Learning and Engagement programme.

Background and Development

Ashley Pekri, Learning and Engagement Officer at Leeds Heritage Theatres, shared insights about the project and its impact. Reflecting on his own early experiences with theatre, Ashley described how drama workshops delivered by a facilitator named Neil inspired him as a child. He has now taken on a similar role, running drama sessions for primary school pupils in Leeds.

The clubs run for one hour each week and focus on building skills that can support children both in and out of the classroom. Ashley has observed the development of these skills over time but sought feedback from teachers to better understand the benefits.

Teacher Feedback on Drama Clubs

Jemma, a teacher at one of the primary schools involved, provided her perspective on the value of the drama clubs:

• Importance of the arts: Jemma highlighted that the arts help children build confidence, learn to accept mistakes, and develop listening and collaboration skills.
• Impact of the drama sessions: She described Ashley as inspirational and noted that the children feel safe and heard during drama club, which has increased their confidence.
• Memorable moments: Jemma enjoys watching the children perform for their parents during sharing sessions.
• Future aspirations: She hopes the children will become more confident public speakers, value their own opinions, and grow into well-rounded citizens supported by their drama experiences.

Extending Theatre Access to Young People

Ashley Pekri emphasised the importance of making theatre accessible to young people who might not otherwise experience it. He has invited pupils to perform on stage at Leeds venues such as The Grand and has written and directed theatre pieces for schools, including a production addressing the Harehills riots.

He expressed a desire to continue expanding the programme to reach more schools and create further opportunities for young people to engage with theatre. Ashley also hopes to foster a sense of ownership among young participants towards local theatre venues.

While recognising the value of theatre in promoting positive change and wellbeing, Ashley noted that the programme’s goal is not to change children’s interests but to support their confidence and personal development in various areas.

Supporting the Programme

Leeds Heritage Theatres encourages community support to help increase the number of accessible shows and extend the reach of live performances. Information about donations, memberships, and gift vouchers is available on their website.

For more details, visit the Leeds Heritage Theatres website.