Archive

We are incredibly proud to have achieved the Rainbow Flag Award after a year-long process of hard work and commitment by staff at Laurus Cheadle Hulme.

The Rainbow Flag is a national award focusing on positive LGBT+ inclusion and visibility in schools, and its message of equality and diversity is one we are very keen to promote.

Over the last 12 months staff have undergone a series of self-assessments with ongoing monitoring and feedback to achieve the award’s standards in all of the following areas:

Skilled teacher

Supportive governors and parents

Effective policies

Inclusive curriculum

Pastoral support

Student voice

The award encourages a whole organisation approach to promoting inclusivity and diversity and to improving the lives of all students including those who identify as LGBT+ and those from LGBT+ families, as well as LGBT+ staff members.

Although we have now achieved the full Rainbow Flag Award, our commitment to its aims and values will continue as we carry on working to ensure a culture and ethos where LGBT+ young people can feel safe and thrive.

It’s an exciting time for drama students at Laurus Cheadle Hulme, with a whole host of fantastic workshops and performances taking place throughout the autumn term.

During the half term break, 10 of our GCSE students had the amazing opportunity of taking part in a film for Get into Teaching, in a collaboration between Cosmopolitan Magazine and LADbible. Sponsored by the Department for Education, the film features three teachers, of which our very own Mr Gardner is one, to showcase teaching as a career.

The film follows Mr Gardner running a wellbeing drama workshop with students and it offered them an incredible insight into TV and production. It was particularly interesting for those who are considering a career in the creative sector to witness industry professionals in action, including directors, producers and project managers. We were delighted with the feedback we got from the production team about how professional, eloquent and talented our students are, and are very much looking forward to seeing the finished film.

As if that wasn’t enough excitement, the last Friday of half term saw our Year 7 – 10 students taking part in a brilliant stage combat workshop, held by fight director Mark Ruddick, from Squire Stage Combat.

Students were mesmerised as Mark taught them some of the skills and tricks he employs when working with the likes of the BBC, ITV, Royal Opera, National Theatre and Marvel Studios. They were fascinated to hear that Mark’s latest project is the new Matthew Bourne film and were amazed that he has coordinated and directed combat scenes for films including The Avengers, Captain America and X-Men.

Next on the agenda is a visit from the Quirky Bird Theatre Company, who will be performing DNA by Dennis Kelly to our GCSE students on Friday 5 November. After the performance students will take part in a Q&A session with the production team and cast, asking their questions about the play and performance and enabling them to explore the text in more depth when they get back in to class.

Rehearsals are also well underway for our next school production, School of Rock, next March. We’re so excited to showcase the talents of our wonderful students both and on and off stage so keep your eyes peeled for ticket information, which we’ll be releasing very soon.