9 schools, 12 weeks, 300 students, 4 PaddleBoat members and 2 fantastic sharings. The Spring term was hectic but incredibly fun. Young people across the county learnt drama skills, shared stories about WWII and had the opportunity to perform on a professional stage. We were also lucky enough to work with two brand new schools this term - Brampford Speke and Barton Hill. Having worked with each school over the term, for the first time PaddleBoat hosted two Schools Sharing Platforms - one in Teignmouth Pavilions and the other at Exeter Phoenix. It was fantastic to see so many young people visit these spaces for the first time and share the skills and the stories they’d learnt with other schools. The performances were based on students’ family histories, their local areas and testimonies. We were lucky enough that the Mayors of Exeter and Teignmouth came along to support the students, along with parents and teachers. One student’s grandmother came along to watch a performance that was based on her own story. Here’s what she said: ‘Just wanted to congratulate you on the enjoyable afternoon at the Phoenix. All the schools were amazing , probably down to your hard work with them! It was a very emotional experience and informative too. The pupils were so strong and clear… I wish you well for the future, and thank you once again.’ Students said that working with PaddleBoat made them feel ‘Excited, free, nervous, happy and inspired to do more drama’.
