Windsor College panto tour is a winner with schools (oh yes it is!)
Pupils at local primary schools were last week treated to two action-packed stage adventures thanks to talented performing arts students from Windsor College, part of the Windsor Forest Colleges Group. Putting their own twist on the classic pantos, Pinocchio and The Wizard of Oz, the students delighted the young audiences with professional shows full of colourful characters and comic capers.
Now in its 14th year, the festive panto tour saw the College students deliver a series of 45 minute pantomimes to groups of between 40 and 300 children at various primary schools, including Marish Primary School, Ryvers Primary School and Eton Wick First School.
Both productions had all the elements you would expect from a classic panto, such as adventure, music, dancing, colourful costumes and plenty of audience participation. The tour was created as part of a module of the College’s Performing Arts BTEC Level 3 Diploma course and students have spent the term developing their skills in this area of performance.
Lecturer Natalie Jones said: “The response at every show was tremendous and the students thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The tour provides our students with an insight into what it is like to be part of a professional touring company, with some early starts, creating characters, improvising and adapting their performance to fit different spaces.”
The performing arts department at Windsor College have been visiting Ryvers Primary School in Langley on their panto tour for the last fourteen years.
Jane Alameddine, School Administrator at Ryvers School, explains: “The students from the College do such a good job, it is all very professionally organised and our pupils love the shows. That is why we ask them back every year. In fact, they now put on two performances for us.”
The College’s performing arts department has an excellent record of success with many students progressing onto successful careers on the stage and screen or behind the scenes. Former students include actor David Gyasi, who has appeared in Interstella, BBC2 drama White Heat and E4 drama Containment.
Windsor College is part of the Windsor Forest Colleges Group, which was formed in 2017 following a merger between East Berkshire College and Strode’s College in Egham. For further information on Windsor College and its wide range of creative courses, please visit www.windsor-forest.ac.uk/courses or call 01753 793000.
Strode's College
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Strode's College
Our Strode’s College offers an exceptional sixth form learning experience in the heart of Egham. Seamlessly blending 300 years of history and tradition with modern facilities, inspirational teaching, successful results and exceptional support, the College is dedicated to helping every student fulfil their potential and create their future. The College also offers a diverse range of courses for adults, from accredited training programmes to recreational courses.
We offer a blend of traditional and modern facilities within a five-minute walk of the town’s train station, which has excellent transport links. We have heavily invested in our science facilities as well as high quality teaching areas and social spaces.
Facilities include:
We offer a blend of traditional and modern facilities:
- high quality teaching and learning classrooms
- state-of-the-art science labs
- art and design suite (which includes photography dark room, art studios, textile classrooms, workshops and digitalised computer rooms)
- fully equipped Learning Centre
- IT suites (with fast broadband, new infrastructure and technology)
- performing and creative arts facilities
- sports and fitness facilities
For more information about Strode’s College and details on the courses available please click here.
Contact details:
Strode's College
High Street
Egham
Surrey
TW20 9DR
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01784 437506
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The College is within walking distance of Egham train station. Contact National Rail Enquiries on 0845 748 4950 or visit www.nationalrail.co.uk.
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