Work-based learning

Learning to work with schools
An initial three-year project started in 2006, linking undergraduates in the School of Performance and Cultural Industries and the Education Department of Opera North, with three primary schools in Leeds. Opera North worked with a tutor and a group of second year students to devise and deliver an opera-based project for primary pupils. This created a strong foundation from which to develop a more diverse programme in 2011/12.

Planning is underway to enhance the programme with the artform of dance, in partnership with two regional dance companies. This will not only broaden student appeal, it will also enable increased engagement with primary schools.
In May 2011, Year Two 'Collaborative Module' students received training from Opera North Education and delivered workshops for KS2 pupils at Shakespeare and Little London Primary Schools on the theme of Opera North's production of Cautionary Tales.
A student mentor from the School of Music took part in the 2010 Opera North Young Singers 3 project, acting as a role model for the young people in the group.
Spring 2010 saw students building on the experience of the past two years, including singing coaching and developing workshops exploring Opera North's Rusalka. This included bringing pupils from three Leeds' primary schools to observe the Opera North rehearsal process and culminated in a performance in each school in May.
In 2009 students observed professional workshop leaders presenting Opera North education projects before structuring and delivering sessions with three primary schools in Leeds. Activity included watching Opera North's Peter and the Wolf in the Howard Assembly Room before creating and presenting their own performance in school.
In 2008, second year undergraduate students worked with pupils from St Augustine 's primary school, Leeds . On the theme of Opera North's main-stage Shakespeare season and tutored by Opera North professionals, the students delivered a series of workshops exploring aspects of A Midsummer Night's Dream, which culminated in a short performance. The pupils also attended a dress rehearsal of Opera North's main-stage production of the piece.
The first project, based around Englebert Humperdink's Hansel and Gretel in autumn 2006, resulted in workshops in dance, singing designing and storytelling. The value for all concerned is reflected in this extract from one of the student's evaluations: "The day...achieved many of our goals, including encouraging children to actively engage in creative activities…creating an enjoyable and stimulating day in the hope of influencing the children…to watch or even participate in this 'high art' form".