Performing Arts students make the grade

A number of students from local secondary schools staged their first pantomime as part of a Performing Arts qualification at the Banbridge campus of Southern Regional College.

As part of the School Partnership Programme, pupils from five local secondary schools attended the local SRC campus one morning per week for two years, studying across a range of vocational areas including Performing Arts, Retail, Engineering, Countryside and Environment, ICT, Travel and Tourism and Childcare.

At the end of the two years, the pupils gain a First Certificate qualification which is equivalent to two GCSEs (grade A* to C).

This is the first year the Performing Arts class ran at the Banbridge campus and as part of their exam, pupils had to put on a pantomime - The Ugly Duckling. They were involved in all aspects, from writing the script, choosing music and costumes, to performing on stage.

“The production team was made up of pupils from Banbridge High School, Rathfriland High School and St Patrick’s College and they did a great job entertaining other pupils, staff members and college staff with their portrayal of The Ugly Duckling,” said Performing Arts tutor, Kate Sheridan.

The Southern Regional College currently works with over 37 schools as part of the School Partnership Programme which has over 2,700 students from the four Area Learning Communities of Armagh, Banbridge, Craigavon and Newry.

Assistant Director for Community and School Partnerships at SRC, David Vint, said, “The programme provides a range of vocationally oriented courses with appropriate accreditation. This improves the employability skills of participating pupils, while easing the transition between school and college. Some of our partner schools form consortiums to offer an increased provision to their pupils.”