Play in a Day: Upwards & Onwards!
Turn transition nerves into opening-night applause. In this fast-paced, full-day residency, our facilitators guide Year 6 pupils through devising, rehearsing and performing a brand-new show about moving on to secondary school. By home time, pupils have created a 20–30 minute ensemble performance that celebrates what’s exciting, tackles what’s tricky, and shares practical ways to face change with confidence.
From the first warm-up, we build a supportive company. Pupils explore feelings around transition, then shape them into bold “Transition Tableaux” that capture both the buzz and the butterflies of a new start. Working in small groups, they devise short scenes around the big questions every leaver asks, getting lost on a new site, making friends from scratch, navigating different teachers, and finding your place without changing who you are. Two pupil narrators in each section thread the story together using our light-touch script, while simple props, school blazers and upbeat music give the day a joyful, professional polish.
The process is as valuable as the performance. Along the way, children practise listening, leadership and teamwork; they try hot-seating, role-play and still images; they learn to project their voices, use clear physical storytelling and give constructive feedback. Most importantly, they discover they are not alone. Shared worries become shared solutions, and each group leaves with a “kit bag” of strategies—ask for help, plan your route, start friendly conversations, be honest with teachers, say no to pressure, that they can carry into September.
Everything is designed to be inclusive and achievable in a single school day. We arrive with a kit bag of props, laminated narrator scripts and curated music to link each scene. Classes rotate through focused creation blocks, then come together for a lively final rehearsal. The day ends with an uplifting sharing for peers and staff that brings every child on stage and sends the whole cohort out on a high.
“Upwards & Onwards” supports PSHE and transition aims while building confidence, communication and community spirit. It’s theatre with purpose: practical, positive and packed with the kind of memories that make a big change feel exciting.
The day includes 4 x 1 hour workshops for 4 selected Year 6 groups, culminating in an end of day sharing.
