Page 35 - link magazine

See us on the net @ www.swindonlink. com The Link Magazine • April 1999 35
Patron visits Shakespeare kids
Children involved with the West Swindon Shakespeare Festival met
theirpatron when Royal Shakespeare Company associate artist David
Calder spent a day visiting the area at the beginning of March.
He talked with young actors £50,000 so that the English Shake-
from Westlea primary school and speare Company with Sarah
Greendown School who per- Gordon of the Buttonhole Theatre
formed The Tempest in Decem- can be resident in West Swindon
ber. Tregoze school children had to work with over 1,000 pupils.
the chance to find out what it is The aim is to achieve a national
like to play Shakespeare before first with every year 6 primary
their production on 24 and 25 school class and year 7 from Green-
March. down performing short versions
After the success of this year's of each of Shakespeare's plays.
festival, an ambitious millennium Business sponsors are sought to
Shakespeare event is planned. contribute part of the total. To find
Festival coordinator Greendown out more, call Tim Noble on 01793

Cuts in class size - is it good news?
The announcement that Swindon primary schools are to receive an
extra £587,000 to reduce the size of infant classes may result in the loss
of teachers for older children in the future, say local headteachers.
The grant from central govern- signed to help regulate class size.
ment, guaranteed for the next three This has raised concerns that some
academic years, will ensure that schools may see funding reduc-
no child between the age of 5 and tions. The result could be fewer
7 is taught in a class of more than teachers for older children and
thirty. Teachers have been asking more mixed age group classes.
for this for some time and it is Norrie Porter, head of planning
undoubtedly good news says and resources in Swindon's Edu-
Swindon education committee cation Department confirmed that
chair Jo Garton. "I am delighted mixed age classes are part of the
that we got nearly all the money government's planning. But, he
we asked for, and ahead of the said, according to Ofsted Chief
government's original schedule." Inspector Chris Woodhead, "there
However, there is also to be a is no inspection evidence of any
change in the way Planned Ad- impact on the performance of chil-
mission Limits are calculated, de- dren in mixed age classes."

Theatre school fun
There has been an eager take up of places with Theatre Express since
its Saturday performing arts school opened at Greendown in January.
Catering for children from aged
5 to late teens, Theatre Express
offers one hour classes in acting,
Y `, $ singing and dancing. The groups'
. are small and friendly and are great
fun for youngsters who want to
develop their skills.
It also runs its own agency and
theatre company to provide tal-
ented young people with a route
to professional work.
Left, singing tutor Rosly
,^y^ ,, Marlborough with students in her
t o J. teenage sin'ing class