Creative Learning at The Bloomsbury
The Bloomsbury Theatre is the only West End theatre on a university campus. With a commitment to focusing on a diverse education programme the theatre contunues to be a unique resource to enrich teaching and learning for young people.
Our schools and outreach programme is at the heart of our programme and we strive to use our theatre not only as a core community resource but also as a means of raising awareness of and interest in higher education among students from our local boroughs. Our education programme includes university based activities linked with other departments in UCL enabling young people to explore other aspects of university life. We are currently working closely with the Greek & Latin, English & Biochemistry departments as part of our drama-in-education and outreach programmes. See our Widening Participation section.
The Bloomsbury Theatre has an artistic policy for students and schools that seeks to present work by professional theatre companies. Our programme is designed to support the curriculum and encourage active participation from schools within the curriculum areas of drama and theatre studies, English and theatre related activities. Our exciting Classics at The Bloomsbury programme also offers opportunities for extra curriculum activities including masterclasses and workshops linked to GCSE and AS/A Level Drama & Theatre Studies and Classics. Our close relationship with UCL's Greek and Latin department has led to an ongoing project aimed to promote classics and classical theatre in schools and communities who might otherwise be not have access to the subject.
Autumn 2008
Our Young People's Theatre offers courses for school years 7-13 (ages 9-18), all working towards final performances on the main stage at the theatre. These community based services reach children and young people from local borough schools, and participants are either nominated by their schools or self-nominated.
Our new Teacher's Focus Group invites teachers from secondary schools and FE/sixth form colleges in the local area to meet regularly with UCL Bloomsbury staff to exchange ideas for future education projects. Schools and colleges represented will have a chance to find out about opportunities for students to be a part of a variety of projects, including extra curriculum activities, masterclasses and youth theatre programmes. Planned for later in the year are professional development workshops and lectures for drama and English teachers.
