A THEATRICAL production aimed at encouraging young people to continue their education beyond GCSEs came to Okehampton last Friday (November 14).
Members of the
CragRats theatre company performed their specially commissioned play ?It?s Your Future? in front of Year 11
students at Okehampton College.
The performance, which was followed by workshops, was designed to highlight the benefits of completing a Devon and Cornwall Apprenticeship, or studying for ?A? and ?AS? levels.
Sue Hester-Greenhill, head of drama at the college, said the play was an effective way of delivering an important message.
?It was very good, the cast were very proficient, and the kids seemed to enjoy it,? she said. ?It?s a different way of delivering information ? it?s very physical, and because they used themes like Eastenders and Lord of the Rings, the children were able to relate to it.?
The performance was part of the CragRats? on-going tour of almost 50 schools in Devon and Cornwall, funded jointly by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) and Connexions, the Government?s youth support service.
In all, they will take their message to 9,000 pupils in the region before December 12.
Karen Wall, of the LSC Devon and Cornwall, said: ?It is essential that young people do not give up on learning at 16 and we believe the
CragRats presentation, while entertaining pupils, will play an important part in explaining the wide range of post-16 options available.?
Yorkshire based
CragRats is the largest theatre company in the UK and is touring the South West for the seventh consecutive year.