Local SEN School Takes to the Stage in Drama and Mask Workshop

Thursday 30th November: Lights, camera, action! Pupils at the Greenways Special Educational Needs (S

Local SEN School Takes to the Stage in Drama and Mask Workshop

Thursday 30th November: Lights, camera, action! Pupils at the Greenways Special Educational Needs (SEN) School in Dingle, Liverpool donned masks and alternative characters today in a drama and mask workshop with local education recruitment specialists, Select Education.

John Whelan, SEN expert at Select Education's Liverpool branch, and qualified drama teacher working with the Rotunda group in North Liverpool, ran the workshop, which included drama based games, mime, masks and music to create different characters and express emotions, telling the fairytale of Hansel and Gretel. The workshop addressed the specific educational and emotional needs of pupils with autism to severe complex learning difficulties.

Dorothy Williams, headteacher at Greenways, commented: 'The workshop gave all the pupils an opportunity to explore emotions and feelings through lots of different techniques. Following today's activities the pupils will be making their own masks and decorate sweets in art, and also learn about the ancient Greeks. Much fun was had by all the pupils and staff today!'

John Whelan concluded: 'It's great to be able to offer tangible benefit to the schools that I work with on a day-to-day basis. Teaching within the school will allow me to make sure that the right candidates go into the school so that pupils get the best education possible. Today's workshop is a fantastic example of how schools can work with local business for pupils to get the most out of local skills and resources. It was a joy to work with the pupils and such a fantastic school such as Greenways.'