ND’s SEND workshop: Using Character and Puppetry for Connection and Engagement.

This one-day workshop will cover a range of approaches to Drama with SEND pupils. Gill Brigg will focus on emotional engagement in stories and working in role.

Christopher Davies and Sue Pyecroft will explore how Bamboozle uses a puppet or a character to facilitate connections with learning disabled children and young people. This engagement can be used to build narratives, emotionally regulate, explore social interactions, or have fun with joyful play.

This event is relevant to all teachers working in specialist SEND settings, regardless of previous Drama experience, and across all phases, including post-16.

Additional Information

This one-day workshop includes a range of activities:

• Practical workshops
• Q and A
• Theoretical discussion
• Links to appropriate teaching resources

Tea and coffee provided

Lunch is not included. Please bring a packed lunch or use local options

Please use public transport if you can

Testimonials about previous Regional SEND Workshops

Thank you for this wonderful workshop. You got us thinking very intensely on how we facilitate learning.

A must-do workshop.

Excellent, beautifully informative, practical, and moving. So useful.

About the contributors:

Dr Gill Brigg has over 40 years’ experience as a cross-phase drama teacher, theatre-maker, and advisory teacher. With an M.Ed and a PhD, she has worked for the last 20 years in Specialist Schools as a TIE performer, Drama specialist, and class teacher. She now works nationally and internationally with teachers, actors, and academics, developing their practice with neurodivergent groups.

Sue Pyecroft co-founded Bamboozle Theatre Company with Christopher Davies. Sue is the Director of Family and Community Development, delivering a busy programme of projects with learning disabled and autistic CYP. Sue was the lead theatre designer for Bamboozle’s touring shows for many years and developed the use of puppetry to connect with learning disabled audiences.

Christopher Davies is a director, trainer and educator. He is continually seeking ways in which we can improve our methods of communication with young people and has run courses for many organisations nationally and internationally including: The National Theatre, Shakespeare’s Globe, Royal Shakespeare Company, De Montfort, Leicester and New York Universities, Assitej [UK], Shanghai Children’s Art Theatre, Singapore Arts Council, Melbourne Arts Centre and Sydney Opera House. As well as hundreds of special school staff groups in the UK and abroad. He is the author of two books: “Creating Multi-Sensory Environments. Practical Ideas for Teaching and Learning” and “Dramatic Starts.”

Christopher is an honorary Doctor of the Arts at De Montfort University and is a founding member of IIAN the International Inclusive Arts Network.