Sporting, STEM & Creative Workshops
Pupils took part in an exciting array of workshops led by professionals in sport, technology, creative and performing arts.
Athletics was run by Olympian Marilyn Okoro. During each session, pupils worked on functional fitness circuits, speed, endurance and running technique, before a Q & A during which Marilyn shared about her own time as an elite middle distance runner and Olympic bronze medalist.
Choreographer Lizzi Gee, who has choreographed shows in London’s West End and on Broadway, joined us for a day to share her extensive expertise, teaching routines direct from West End musicals. What an experience for all our budding performers, helping them develop dance and storytelling skills through song and dance.
London Scottish professional player Mark Bright ran rugby skills sessions which had pupils focusing on passing, kicking and tackling techniques, helping them increase awareness of players’ surroundings and improve their reaction times.
Engineer Thea Poysden from Babcock International delivered their new STEM workshop, using Lego to incorporate elements of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. Pupils worked in teams to create a production line to build as many cranes as possible, whilst keeping a close eye on their overall profit.
Roger Bartlett, a professional stage and screen fight director, led a fun-filled session of safe stage combat techniques and illusions, teaching the skills and tricks used by the professionals in today’s theatrical and film industry.
Award-winning film director and screenwriter Alasdair Mackay ran sessions replicating life on a professional film set. Pupils took on the roles of actors or different crew to experience the process of ‘going for a take.’ For anyone considering a career in the film industry this was a real eye opener.
Mirroring the BBC show, Dragons Den, pupils had to conceive and design a new business idea which they pitched to our two guest dragons, both top corporate banking lawyers, seeking investment for a share in their business.
In the journalism workshops, led by ex-BBC journalist Eleanor Steele, pupils investigated a dog-napping crime at Crufts, interviewing witnesses and writing up a report for their editor.
Pupils could choose from a range of dance workshops with professional dancer choreographers including Charleston with Temujin Gill, HipHop with Ryan Appiah-Sarpong and Robotics with Dani Harris Walters.
In addition the menu included ceramics, scientific crime scene investigation, drama and improvisation, textiles and a brilliant geodesic painting challenge.
These workshops were a resounding success and provided a wonderful end to a challenging year.