Primary Education

A class of Year One children parade out into the playground in pairs, singing as they march, in the formation of a "Snail Creep" dance. They spiral around a central point and excitement mounts as they are given real live snails to race. They sing Snail Racing Songs to them in Cornish to encourage them and urge on their favourites with Cornish words and phrases. They chant with actions, showing they have really internalised words and music.

All the children are enthusiastically involved, across the range of ability, and the session has become an event to be much talked over in the days to come. The end of the race is a wonderful moment, a culmination of previous activities that have included writing, drawing and drama as well as singing, dancing and language.

This is a typical example of one of our primary school workshops. From the initial inspiration and research, through planning and preparation to delivery, we pride ourselves on working closely with schools and teachers to fit in with their curriculum needs and enrich the experience of the children. We use games, warm-up activities and a wide range of resources, often collaborating with other workshop artists including dancers and poets.

Other workshops have included:

-Creating Cornish poetry, writing a song and making junk band sounds on Mousehole Harbour for Year Two, creating a performance for the Sea Salt and Sails Festival described as "faultless" in the Cornishman.

-Retelling the story of a local saint using dance, drama and a local tune

-Making up a new tune inspired by traditional models with children, staff and teachers which is then used in a community procession to mark St Piran's Day