On Thursday 5th October, as part of our PSHE programme, we welcomed Saltmine Trust Theatre Company to perform Switch Up for pupils in Years 8 and 9.
Saltmine have been touring theatre in education nationally since 1980, educating the next generation on current social issues and empowering them to make wise choices.
Switch Up is an anti-knife crime production and workshop which focuses on the complex, interrelated issues of knife crime, gang violence and self-identity. Incorporating multi-media and rap music, this powerful production aims to encourage young people to make considered and positive decisions in relation to these concerns.
The production was both moving and thought provoking and received highly complementary reviews from staff and pupils.
Pupils valued the workshops after the performances in which they discussed the myth that carrying a knife protects you and the fact that most people that carry a knife end up hurting a friend or themselves. Pupils left the sessions very clear that knife crime is completely avoidable and that they should ‘pave their own path’.
Our thanks go to the performers and also to our Year 8 and 9 pupils for engaging wholeheartedly with some challenging scenarios.
