Sorry my Inquiry Plan is running a little late

I will have it sent to Paula tomorrow and have it posted tomorrow on here.

Sorry for any inconvenience caused.

Lily 

Pilot Survey

Please those of you who are teachers or teaching assistants can you fill out my survey? I'd really appreciate it.



Click here to take survey



Thanks.

Pilot Interview 1 (Answers)

I had an interview with Luke* the Principal of Razzamataz using Hotmail emails. 

1. What are your views on Performing Arts Teaching in schools and Drama schools?

In main stream schools I have bad experiences and have found the students find it a lesson to play games and muck about and the teachers have little control. At specialist schools and Razzamataz the teachers are mostly working professionals that teach exactly what needs to be taught to develop the children's knowledge and skills.  

2. In your opinion How has Razzamataz beat most theatre schools in the last few years?

Razzamataz offer specialist workshops from industry professionals and I think it is vital. Our older students have seen a lot of west end shows and dream of one day being in them. What we can do by offering guest workshops like this is bring the real person along, this is not a character appearance but a hard working professional that once went to a children's theatre school like Razzamataz that worked her way up and believed in her own ability to become the success that she is. I think it is important for the children to hear from the professionals that they are doing exactly what they did, and that with hard work and determination they too can achieve their dreams. Also to be complemented by someone that they look up to and respect is a huge confidence boost and very important for their development. This is just one aspect of what we offer at Razz not to mention our Annual stage shows and summer schools. 

3. What rules and regulations are in place for Razzamataz Staff and Children? 

There are safety measures in place, fire checks and risk assessments on a regular basis and our teachers and class room assistants are all well aware of the things to look out for to ensure the children's safety. There are rules on uniform for equality and there is a manuel that every teacher has read about working effectively with children with special needs and learning difficulties. Bullying is absolutely not tolerated at any Razzamataz Theatre school. Our schools are a safe fun and creative environment at all times.  

4. How do these compare to say for example Italia Conti's rules and regulations? Meaning Do you find their rules/practices/regulations more stricter than that of Razzamataz? 

I am not familiar with the rules and regulations at Italia Conti and as that is a full time establishment it would be difficult to compare. What I can say is that we all fully insured, risk assessed and and all teachers have public liability insurance and CRB checks done. There is also always a first aider on site and safety is our number one priority. 

5. Finally What is it like to be a principal of a theatre school to being a professional in the Performing Arts industry?

In many respects it is very much the same but on a larger scale. You have to get along with everyone as if you were in a show cast, listen and respect, you have a responsibility to your students as you would to your audience and you are always on "show" the main difference is over seeing everyone else, you are a director to your staff, an entertainer to your clients, and a producer when it comes to putting on a show. The roles for me as an actor and as a principal are equally as challenging, exciting and varied but both give me a huge amount of satisfaction and with a great teaching team behind me at Razzamataz Hampstead things are looking very promising for our exciting Summer term ahead. 

*Name has been changed to protect identity

Pilot Interview 1

1. What are your views on Performing Arts teaching in schools and Drama schools?




2. In your opinion How has Razzamataz beat most theatre schools in the last few years?



3. What rules and regulations are in place for Razzamataz Staff and Children?


4. How do these compare to say for example Italia Conti's rules and regulations? Meaning Do you find their rules/practices/regulations more stricter than that of Razzamataz?


5. Finally what is it like to be a principal of a theatre school to being a professional in the Performing Arts industry?

Article on Professional Ethics

I found this interesting article on Case Study 1 in the reader on Professional Ethics. David Nicholson is no longer the Chief Executive of the NHS, and Cynthia Bower resigned in February this year due to years of trying to cover up the scandal of the Mid-Stafford Hospitals crisis. Nick Chapman is now Chief Executive of the NHS (as of April 1st 2009).

Why don't you take a read and let me know your thoughts?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/feb/23/nhs-watchdog-cynthia-bower-resigns 

I finally gave in

I have now joined LinkedIn (after some further thought, and realising I can't have an SIG without it).

So if you want to join my SIG for Freelance Work/Teaching then click

 http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=4412178

If you would like to connect with me (if the above group doesn't apply to you) then click

http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit?trk=hb_tab_pro_top

If you can't access the above please let me know below.

Thanks

The Razzamataz Hampstead, London Launch!!

So Friday 21st April is Taster Day! Come and try our classes for free..... Ok so we wouldn't start like that. We have to give it the Razz touch! (Laughs). So yesterday was our launch, and children and young people (4-18) could have Taster Sessions to see what the teachers, Luke* the Principal, the teaching assistants do and how Razzamataz works. Sally* our Head Office Manager was there and I was really nervous about her watching me work. So the Mini's session started at 4pm and finished at 5pm. This session was run by Lucy*. Lucy* done some dance first (which warmed up the children and got them energised) After this we did some singing in which we sung a song from Wicked. Then we played a game of getting things from the shop for Lucy* (which the children really liked doing). And then it was time to finish.

After which the Juniors, Interns and Seniors started their Taster Session at 5pm and finished at 6pm. (we had 20 minute sessions each for Acting, Singing and Dancing) so they all alternated with each teaching assistant. Dan* teaches Acting, Alexis* teaches Dancing and Lucy* teaches Singing. It's a great environment to be in, as I am learning a lot from my colleagues. I am the teaching assistant for the Juniors, and we started with Acting. With Dan* we got to know each other, chewed a big toffee (which was fun), and made the noise of a motorbike with our lips to warm up our voices. This gave the parents a chance to watch what we do (to ensure that their minds are at rest with the many questions they might have). Next was Singing with Lucy*. We sang a wonderful song from the musical Avenue Q. Now I know that you're thinking. "Are they mad? Allowing children to sing a song from a musical that has bad language in? It's absurd." Yes that theory is true but we sang the theme to Avenue Q. This has no bad language in it at all. Lucy* taught the juniors and I the first verse and the chorus of the Avenue Q theme. The children loved it. We had good fun! After this we had Dance with Alexis*. We warmed up, and done a little routine (which was a little tough for me I might add as I have two left feet.) We done the routine to "My Heart Skips A Beat" by Olly Murs. After this we did a quick cool down (which after the session finished Alexis* said to me "I have never done a cool down that quick before." I said "I agree, it can be dangerous.") But with Taster Sessions it's what you get to cram everything in 15 minutes.

A friend of mine signed up their child after the Taster Session (which was a big bonus for them). I think we signed up about 40-60 children yesterday. (which is a big bonus for the School). Tomorrow is the other London launch up in Barnet. I don't work for Razzamataz Barnet so I didn't have to attend. But I am sure they signed up a lot of children too.

Yeah Razzamataz.

More to come from Razzamataz on Friday.

Till then..

I'll get back to doing Uni tasks.

An Update

Today I had a meeting with Luke* (The Principal) to discuss things about our Taster Day for Razzamataz this Friday, and about the company etc. It is very exciting and I am loving the idea of working with the teachers.We have a lot coming up in the next few weeks, so I will be posting about my experiences. Obviously Names have to be changed for obvious reasons. I am working with children so privacy and data protection is key.

I will keep you all posted

X


*Name has been changed for privacy reasons. 

I'm back all!

So I'm back and raring to go. I am currently researching for my inquiry plan and putting in an hour or two to finish the tasks. Hopefully I will finish them by the 20th April. I just want to say thank-you to all of you that have been posting tasks and posting survey's for me to answer (as it has given me more thought on what I need to do).

I hope everyone is enjoying Easter!

L
X

Question Time!

You can post me your questions below in the comments section. Then I will post them to my Facebook & Twitter.

https://www.facebook.com/events/286213031456295/

I apologise I won't be commenting on blogs over the next few days. Or posting anything. I will be back raring to go on Saturday.


Happy Easter all!!

L
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