Student teachers attend Glyndebourne workshop

Around 50 student teachers on our Art and Design and English PGCEs spent a whole day in a workshop, hosted at Glyndebourne.

The day was led by composer, conductor and keyboard player Howard Moody and movement director Mike Ashcroft. It was inspired by the Glyndebourne commissioned opera The Railway Children, which has its world premiere later this month.

The student teachers worked to develop voice and movement which is vital for classroom presence. They took part in a series of activities to help build confidence, trust and collaboration, and developed character and narrative, designing words and actions to convey the story.

First hand experience of interactive pedagogies helps to develop student teachers’ practice and appreciation of the learner. Putting the students outside their comfort zone helps to build resilience and to appreciate their learners who may experience this in lessons.

The day culminated in a promenade performance of the scenes developed by small groups – it was amazing to see what was achieved in such a short time.

Thoughts from the student teachers taking part included:

“I was initially intimidated by my own inhibitions in the workshop, but leaned into the fear and had a ball, recognising a new inner confidence in myself, which I felt very proud of.”

“Going to Glyndebourne with the university was superb – working with professionals of that calibre was something I never thought I’d get to do and it really developed my creative confidence!”

“I found yesterday useful for the performative aspect of teaching.”

“Yesterday showed me the value of truly being “free” when “performing” as a teacher.  It was so much fun!”

“Yesterday taught me that it’s okay to be put out of your comfort zone.”

“The encouraging and supportive atmosphere made something unfamiliar fun and approachable.”

“I really learned how much you can get done when you put things into rehearsal as soon as possible, trying, deconstructing, and iterating your ideas.”

The students will return to Glyndebourne in November when they attend the opera for schools performance.

Find out how you can become a teacher with the University of Brighton.