Who am I? (projects below.)
Since qualifying as an English and Drama teacher in 2003, I have worked as a classroom teacher, a subject leader, and as an education project leader through the company I co-founded (Citizen598) and then as a freelance Creative Practitioner. This has involved designing and delivering courses and projects to all ages from Primary to University.
Alongside more traditional schools based workshops and bespoke projects for specific classes, I have developed a range of projects that utilise one or a mixture of drama, film, animation, writing, and music to explore subjects and issues with students. I have been privileged to travel to Qatar to talk with the Doha Film Institute about community engagement with young people, as well as being invited by the University of Leicester to offer insight from a performing arts perspective on their International Museums project. You can find a brief description of some of my other work below and I'd be more than happy to chat with you about any educational needs you have.
Structuring learning around projects and embedding storytelling not only helps to inspire all ages, it can help to anchor the learning as an experience, rather than a chore.
I always offer a free consultation and am happy to chat about any ideas. Especially if there's tea and biscuits. Get in touch via the contact page.
Some projects (images and videos below.)
BEYOND THE MOON
Devising a theatrical performance with Science funding in partnership with a College, University of Leicester, and The National Space Centre. This included a large bespoke set and installing an exhibition from the National Space Centre.
The cast was led by a Year 7 student from the local school following auditions.
THIS IS SHEPSHED
Working at the special Autism Centre at Shepshed High school to create a film with their students.
NATIONAL BREAKTHROUGH
Devising and Leading a "Breakthrough" project at a school with boys designated as underachieving. This involved devising a range of activities and creative approaches to engage the boys. Following the project attendance had improved.
FORWARD MOTION
Collaborating with Children's Centres and Council to devise arts projects with children in care and to also provide arts provision for those who had been excluded from school.
SUPERVALUES
Working with Thistly Meadow Primary School and their student council to develop a creative way to remind their fellow students about their school's values! This short film was a lot of fun.
THE CHATTERBOOKS
Children from Year 4 to Year 7 (so far) chatting about the books they've been reading. Click here to go to the podcast and listen and watch on Spotify, Amazon, Music, Apple Podcasts and YouTube!
Beyond the Moon
Wasted
Thistly Super Values
Storytelling
This Must Be The Place
I am currently revisiting an old mini project to explore creativity and storytelling with young people.
Whilst working in a primary school, I had the chance to try out some of these ideas. One child's story was chosen and working with professional actress and producer Tonia Daley-Campbell, we produced their story.
The aim is to develop this into a workshop package and produce a series of stories made by children that can be listened to, watched, and read.
20 years of teaching in and out of the classroom has allowed me to develop and enhance my practice.
From workshops and lessons; to directing large-scale shows, I have enjoyed enriching the learning experience using creativity and individual learning.
I have also devised and delivered a range of projects based on different subjects in collaboration with schools and Universities.
Documentaries, promos, music videos; I've enjoyed bringing a creative eye to help produce the right film for every project. With my one-man crew of equipment, I love swapping from interviewing and filming to editing and producing.
If you need images for your events, rehearsals, live performances, gigs, or promotional shots I'm more than happy to have a chat about how we can achieve what you need.
I'ver got a page HERE for photography.
CREATIVE SOLUTIONS
My role as a Creative Producer has encompassed a variety of roles such as writer, actor, director, and producer, and I have been working in this field for 17 years, including time as a Performing Arts teacher.
This skillset has enabled me to design and deliver projects within education for schools and Universities; documentaries about social heritage; creative solutions for Museums; theatre and film productions, and web design.
As a huge consumer of podcasts I love pretty much everything about making them as a producer, editor, and also as a host.
Scripting and mapping out episodes, booking guests; and then shaping the final piece in the editing suite all make podcast production my favourite creative project. From interviewing BBC journalists; to athletes, to award-winning authors and comics, to chatting with children about their favourite books - it's genuinely exciting to capture these conversations.