Thousands of pupils are set to tread the boards this Christmas as The X-Factor, Any Dream Will Do and High School Musical inspire a boom in concerts, plays and variety shows in the country’s schools.
Research from the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA), reveals that more than 160,000 pupils at English secondary schools will be taking part in a seasonal performance this Christmas, playing to predicted audiences of more than 2.5 million people.*
Yet one in six teachers whose school is putting on concerts at the end of term (13 per cent) say that it did not do so five years ago, with 79 per cent agreeing that the likes of The X-Factor and High School Musical have made performing more popular among students.
The study finds that nine out of 10 teachers (93 per cent) say their school will be holding at least one Christmas performance of some type, be it a concert (49 per cent), musical (34 per cent), nativity play (33 per cent) or a variety show (19 per cent). Joseph and His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat is set to be the most popular musical, with a one in four teachers at schools putting on a musical saying they will be performing this play.
Graham Holley, chief executive of the TDA, comments:
“The Christmas concert is not just an opportunity for pupils to express their more creative side; it’s also a chance for teachers to do the same. We found that one in four teachers can use end of term performances to pursue their hobbies and interests.
“Being able to use your creativity is just one of the benefits of teaching. It is one of the few jobs that let graduates use their degree knowledge and skills every day, and there are good pay and progression opportunities. Teachers are also increasingly benefiting from the help of school support staff, such as teaching assistants.”
X-Factor finalist Beverley Trotman, who is supporting the TDA’s campaign to recruit more teachers, comments:
"I feel really privileged to be able to raise the profile of singing in schools and to encourage the recruitment of more teachers.
“Singing is a massive expression of who you are and all children, regardless of their abilities, can take part. Singing in schools is really important for the progression and growth of children and gives kids huge confidence."
It’s not just the pupils who are getting involved in end of term shows, with 75 per cent of teachers taking part as performers (13 per cent) or behind the scenes (65 per cent).
The TDA research also suggests that these extracurricular activities are having a positive impact on pupils, staff and schools alike. More than three quarters of teachers said that concerts can help pupils’ education by encouraging co-operation, (78 per cent), improving communication skills, (71 per cent) and helping them develop new skills (65 per cent). Teachers also cited the broader benefits, such as giving students giving a sense of achievement (63 per cent) and improving their confidence (71 per cent)
Teachers also revealed that the end of term performance can help with teaching and learning by bringing subjects to life (30 per cent), drawing connections between different subjects (37 per cent) and building relationships between teachers and pupils (40 per cent).
A further one in three teachers admitted that they relished the opportunity to teach outside the classroom environment (33 per cent) and also work with other teachers (49 per cent), members of the school workforce (42 per cent) and parents (32 per cent).
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Notes to editors
Top musicals in schools this Christmas
- Joseph & His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat (25% of teachers at schools putting on a musical)
- A musical written by the school (21%)
- Grease (19%)
- High School Musical (17%)
- Oliver! (12%)
School Christmas concerts in figures
According to teachers at schools holding Christmas concerts:
- an average of 46 pupils will be performing in each show
- more than 70 pupils will be performing at 16% of schools
- an average of 12 pupils auditioned for each role
- typically, 32 pupils will be involved behind the scenes
- nine members of staff will be performing in each show
- 688 people will watch the average show, with 22% predicting audiences of more than 1,000
- the typical run will be three nights, with 18% running for five nights or more
This news release applies to England only.
PCP research interviewed 1,088 teachers teaching at secondary schools in England during December 2007. The core sample is of 1,010 teachers at schools putting on a Christmas performance.
* There are 3,846 maintained secondary schools in England (DCFS). Ninety-three per cent of teachers say their school is putting on a Christmas concert (PCP). An average of 46 pupils will be performing in their school’s concert, playing to an average of 688 people during the performance’s run (PCP).
For more information about how to become a teacher, see www.teach.gov.uk. Personal advice is available from the Teaching Information Line on 0845 6000 991 - 992 for Welsh speakers (minicom 0117 915 8161).
From 1 September 2008 a newly qualified teacher (NQT) will start on a salary of at least £20,133 (£24,168 in inner London). The pay scale for good, experienced classroom teachers who have 'crossed the threshold' rises to £34,281 outside London and £41,004 in inner London. Additional allowances may be paid to teachers considered to be excellent, and to those who take on management and other responsibilities. The pay scale for head teachers can rise to more than £90,000 depending on size of school. Further details are available at www.teach.gov.uk/payandbenefits
Eligible trainees on secondary postgraduate initial teacher training (ITT) courses in England are entitled to a tax-free training bursary worth £6-9,000. Newly qualified teachers with a postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) in maths and science may also be eligible for a ‘golden hello’ payment worth £5,000 (taxed) after successfully completing their induction period. Those with a PGCE in modern languages, design and technology, information and communications technology, music and religious education may receive £2,500. Details are available on the TDA website at www.teach.gov.uk/funding.
From 1 August 2008, the bursary for trainees starting ITT courses in secondary postgraduate English, dance and drama will be reduced from £9,000 to £6,000 and trainees will not be eligible for a golden hello. The bursary for trainees starting primary postgraduate ITT courses will be reduced from £6,000 to £4,000.
The graduate teacher programme (GTP) enables people to train to become a teacher while employed in a school. Details of employment based routes can be viewed at www.teach.gov.uk/routes.
Data collected by the TDA shows that close to 40,000 people began teacher training in the academic year 2006/07.
The Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) was established under the Education Act 2005. Its principal aim is to secure an effective school workforce that improves children’s life chances.
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