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Background, values and aims
Background
The Perform Bursary Scheme was set up in 2009 in response to teachers, parents and others in the community requesting opportunities for young people who could benefit from Perform courses but who were not in a position to pay for the costs of the course. In response to this and internal discussions on embedding the values of Perform in a wider project, the Bursary Scheme was established.
Significant work was carried out to clarify the values underpinning the scheme and what this would mean in practice, including a structure that would allow continued growth in terms of its reach to young people.
Values
The underpinning values of the Scheme are:
Learning
The Scheme provides a space where young people can not only develop basic physical skills but also emotional and social skills that will enable them to increase awareness of self and enable positive interactions with other young people. Learning in this way is young person centred, recognising that every young person is different and will have different needs and paths in which they develop.
Opportunity
The Scheme provides an accessible and positive environment in which a young person can feel safe and secure to participate and grow. In addition an environment in which young people have the opportunity to see things differently, to be encouraged and inspired and importantly, happy in their own skin.
Focus
Drama is an excellent tool for developing a young person; it creates a clear focus for their participation and progress but without being intrusive i.e. they are engaged and enjoying the experience whilst being less aware of the range of skills they are learning. It also provides a framework for discipline and concentration, two key elements found to be important in the young person’s development.
Fun and Enjoyment
The Scheme provides an opportunity for young people to have fun and enjoy themselves in other young people’s company. It gives many young people a chance to be happy and to forget about worries and concerns and just enjoy being part of something; where they are important and their progress is consistently encouraged.
Diversity
Young people with and from a range of identities, cultures, backgrounds, ages, disabilities and/or beliefs are welcomed and supported. Diversity itself is valued as an important asset to a drama class, endorsing different thinking and types of social interaction.
Aims
The aim of the Perform Bursary Scheme is to provide the opportunity for young people to attend Perform drama classes who would not otherwise have access due to socio-economic and/or other social barriers.
The key component of the Scheme is the allocation of a year’s free drama sessions to young people across the South East, provided by Perform.
By attending the drama course a young person has the opportunity to improve confidence, concentration and have a sense of knowing what they can achieve. The course provides more than just activities; it is a step-by-step journey of inspiration and encouragement, taking young people from an unconfident and under-performing place to one where their potential is awakened and developed.
We started Perform because we wanted to build Arlo’s confidence. Stephanie made a big effort to connect with him and he has loved every single session so far. He is very proud of going to Perform and looks forward to it all week.
My aim for this class was to help Daisy be more confident and I feel like it’s definitely helping. Although it’s only been a few weeks Daisy enjoys going and shows all the family what she has learnt each week.
I can see the difference in Faith's development. She is more confident to speak up and make a conversation with anyone. She becomes more articulate and is very driven by her character. Faith enjoys practicing her session with a lot of fun at home which makes her more engaged to do future challenging activities.
Ronnie-may really enjoys herself and her confidence has came on leaps and bounds.
Maxime loves coming and is looking forward to it every week.The teachers are absolutely amazing; encouragingly motivating all of the children, even the not so confident ones.Thank you so much for all of your hard work and the time that you invest in helping children to grow every day.
It's been only few weeks and what they did with my child is amazing. I never thought that he would be able to join in with group activities in front of an audience. Karen is such a warm, caring person and truly wants to get the best out of each child. Her connection with children is amazing. Thank you so much for giving my children this opportunity. Opportunity to shine!
The teachers have been very informative and I love their passion and enthusiasm at every class. I think Perform can only be a positive for Dylan who struggles in a few areas with confidence and patience. We are definitely glad we found this class.
The girls absolutely love Perform! Lottie has just started and was so excited to be able to join in, and Emma-Lily has thrived in this class. It has helped her develop her confidence to be able to perform in front of an audience but also in class assemblies and with her peers.
Sophie and Haley are brilliant with the children. Zac is a sensitive child and the drama classes have really brought him out of himself. Perform is the highlight of his week!
It's such a complete joy to see Samuel smiling and so looking forward to coming to Perform!
Elisa has only been attending a few weeks but is loving it and I was blown away by her confidence in their show yesterday.
Lola is really enjoying the classes and I see her confidence growing already! Thank you to all at perform, for helping her feel comfortable and have fun whilst learning and building her confidence. The classes really are making a difference!
Aaliyah has loved her classes at Perform and today I watched the show. It was amazing! Aaliyah’s confidence wowed me. Previous shows she has taken part in she has been really nervous but this time she was calm and totally in control.
Selina loves her Perform sessions! At the end-of-term performance, she had few lines and even a solo (she only joined the group three weeks ago), we’ve never seen her so confident on stage.
Kalila really enjoys her lessons, she comes home from them full of energy and is very motivated to learn her lines. I can already see an increased level of self-confidence in her and I love the element of life skills coaching that the classes provide.
Mia has absolutely come on leaps and bounds during her time at Perform! From being a very quiet and shy girl, Mia has blossomed so well and thoroughly loves her lessons and shows. Her confidence also radiates to all other aspects of her life. Amazing!!
I want to cry (with happiness!) as I write this. Both my children are on the autistic spectrum. Callum and Lucy are so fun and kind and talented, and the programme is so engaging, that my two can't wait to go in and are enjoying this more than anything else they do. It also seems to be a useful format to help autistic children with social communications. Thank you!
Perform is my children's favourite hour of the week. They have a lot of fun and learn so many useful things for life. Jessica and Grant are absolutely fantastic, they have so much energy, are very friendly and professional. I would recommend Perform to everyone!
Perform is a revelation for my fairly shy and quiet twins who at times seem to lack the confidence to be heard in groups. Such an amazing class and it's even more amazing watching their confidence grow as they develop new skills.
Roberto absolutely loves Perform! He asks at least three times a week, "Mummy, is it Perform today"? I can hardly believe how quickly he has taken to it and even his school teacher has noticed a difference in his confidence. We are delighted he is enjoying it so much.
Oliver has really enjoyed Perform. He has only had good things to say about the classes. It is apparent that the teachers are very enthusiastic and work hard to involve all of the children.
Both girls love Abi, and her energy and enthusiasm is infectious. Both girls look forward to their classes and their comfort in performing in front of an audience has improved fantastically.
Alice was so shy and sheepish when she started, but Perfom has been amazing for her confidence and self esteem - even the school have commented on the improvement. All three of my children attend and Hannah always has time for each individual child and their parents. I really can't praise the team enough!
I have been really impressed with the confidence that Perfom has given Mary. Within 5 weeks she was standing in front of an audience singing her Rapunzel song! She loves coming to Perform.
Harrison has loved all of the classes so far. I am really happy to know he is enjoying himself, improving his confidence and developing so many other interpersonal skills too!
Isabella really enjoys her classes and is always on a "high" afterwards (for the whole day!). I can see already how her confidence has grown. Thank you!
Dexter has found Perform brilliant, he loves going and I have seen real improvements in his ability to concentrate and retain information
George is quite anxious in new settings and Lisa-Marie has been great in helping him to find his feet at Perform. He thoroughly enjoys the classes and is gaining in confidence from week to week.
Both my daughters adore perform and we are delighted with the quality. We are both from academic backgrounds and really admire your attention to detail and child development. We couldn't be happier.
Ella loves perform! Her school teacher has remarked that she has started to use much more expression in her reading and I'm certain that this is thanks to Perform.
Anja is enjoying the classes very much, and I've already noticed more confidence in Anja speaking to adults using her loud and clear voice :-)
Wonderful, exactly what my eldest needed to boost her confidence at the awkward " self awareness" stage of development, she can't wait to get there each week.
Perform has helped my shy daughter come out of my shell and gives my outgoing son an outlet for his exuberance (which can sometimes be frowned on at school). We all love it.
Alana is really enjoying it and I feel that it is helping her to express herself. I noticed that her speaking is clearer.
I have noticed that Beatriz finds it easier to learn her lines for her school plays, she is confident and loves going to Perform.
I love the content and the social skills that my child is being taught. He is now running in to class after having to be peeled off my husband for the first couple of weeks.
I love that the priority with Perform is the development & well being of each child rather than pushing them to "perform" without considering their enjoyment. Both of my children are so happy in class and develop week on week.
I love the way that they respond to Leo's specific needs and encourage him to speak out, to move and dance and build his confidence through such positive responses to his efforts.
