We are proud to be involved in GDST partnerships for our Prep School and their peers from across the GDST family. Usually this means day trips to some of the capital’s most inspiring venues to learn outside of the classroom. Shakespeare comes to life at London’s Globe Theatre and pupils delight in seeing science in action at the Royal Institution. Needless to say, Covid-19 has this year prevented us from our annual outings, but during the Spring Term 2021 these iconic venues will come to the GDST as part of Guided Home Learning.
The Globe has put together a learning package for girls in years 2, 3 and 4 of interactive, time-travelling, country-hopping online storytelling to nurture an enthusiasm for theatre and drama, making Shakespeare accessible to our youngest pupils. The project kicked off in January with The Winter’s Tale, which saw girls enjoy live performances and carry out fun and interactive activities, acting out scenes from the play in their own homes, involving their toys in the action.
Will Wareing, GDST Deputy Director of Education explains, ‘These retellings of well-known Shakespeare works are really accessible to our junior school pupils. The workshops are fun and informal, exploring key themes and encouraging girls to get physical in their interpretation of the stories.”
The GDST Globe project will continue throughout Spring with The Tempest, adapted for girls in Reception and years 1 and 2, and a retelling of Henry V for years 4, 5 and 6.
The thrill of live action is not limited to drama, though. Throughout February and March, our year 3-6 girls will join in with some spectacular science courtesy of the presenters from the L’Oréal Young Scientist Centre at the Royal Institution, who have put together a series of exciting virtual science workshops. GDST girls will participate in some truly exciting experiments from home. Based around themes such as light, sound and colour, our pupils will see rainbow fire and optical illusions, and hear crashes and bangs as part of this series of fun and interactive sessions. Using equipment they can find at home, pupils will have the opportunity to join in with the presenters and ask questions.
Science and technology will combine in the annual GDST Junior Techathon event, which has also gone virtual for 2021. Years 1 and 2 girls will be eco-coding, learning about algorithms and robotics. In addition to the live session on 9 March, the Techathon incorporates practical elements. “We wanted to encourage girls to be active,” explains Amy Icke, GDST Online Learning and Innovation Manager ‘To put what they learn into practice, reinforce ideas and concepts, and encourage them to have time away from their screens.’
Covid may have kept us from coming together in person for our annual Drama, Science and Technology events, but the pioneering GDST spirit prevails, bringing learning to life thanks to our virtual collaboration with some of the UK’s most iconic institutions.
