INTRODUCTION
East-Side Educational Trust is innovative and flexible in its approach to projects with young people. We believe that each group we work with is unique and deserves an individual approach. At East-Side we endeavour to tailor-make each of our projects and we are not limited by subject or art-form. We work across London and beyond with young people aged 3 - 25 in their schools and colleges, youth clubs, professional venues and community settings.
In addition to this East-Side also offers a programme of innovative CPD opportunities for teachers and is currently working with Creative Partnerships London East to develop an associate schools programme with a focus on CPD. East-Side's INSETs provide teachers with a practical tool-kit which helps them be creative innovators in the classroom. The INSET's also provide stimulating debate on the place of creativity in today's classroom.
We have recently been using drama and storytelling to inspire students in Year 6 and Year 12 studying French. The year 12 students worked with students at a neighbouring Primary and produced a DVD with a French script, which showed the Primary students preparing to meet a French Storyteller. The project also introduced the students to a group of French children studying English at the British Council Young Learners Centre in Paris.
We have also explored how young people can use the arts to express their understanding of science. Using drama, debating and visual art, young people are able to express their opinions about current issues surrounding bio-diversity.
As well as exploring cross art-form approaches, East-Side is committed to developing ways of working which enhance the impact of our projects and workshops on everyone involved. East-Side's Arts Apprenticeship programme encourages close collaborations between artists and teachers ensuring that each partnership contributes to professional development for the adults involved as well as a unique learning experience for the young people.
It is important to us that we are able to measure the impact of our projects against our objectives. We were delighted to hear recently that students that had taken part in our "Short Cuts to Literacy" project had improved a minimum of two sub-levels in their writing. The improvement shown by this group was greater than the improvement shown in the rest of the school. "Short Cuts to Literacy" uses film and drama to improve the quality of young people's writing about character.
If you are interested in finding out more or would like to discuss running a project in partnership with East-Side please contact us. We would be delighted to discuss your needs and priorities and to devise a project especially for you.
To help you find out more about art-form specific projects we have provided information about the categories of dance, drama, visual arts and literature.