Grandpa's Garden to 'Grow' in four more Leicester Schools

Grandpa’s Garden was originally produced by Speakeasy Theatre Company working with Eyres Monsell Primary School in June 2006, jointly funded by Leicester City Council’s extended schools programme and Creative Partnerships Leicester. Based on their success, the project is being restaged in 4 further primary schools throughout Leicester.

Funded by Creative Partnerships Leicester and delivered by Speakeasy Theatre Company working with Lighthouse Learning, the Grandpa’s Garden project helps teachers and children experiment with approaches to delivering the social and emotional aspects of learning (SEAL), a government education initiative adopted by Leicester schools.

Grandpa’s Garden appears in the school hall for a week, with children exploring the magical setting and interacting with Grandpa – played by actor John Hobson – to discover the secrets and sadness which the garden holds.

Herrick Primary School was the first of the 4 schools to take part when Grandpa's Garden visited their school hall in mid-October 2007.

Qaaim, a pupil at Herrick Primary School, said "I enjoyed doing all the story writing. We visited Grandpa and he helped me improve my writing." Another pupil wrote “Grandpa throughout the five days we’ve been here I have felt very inspired. I wish I had a magic garden like Grandpa.”

Forest Lodge Primary, Belgrave St Peters Primary and Overdale Junior schools will all follow in 2008.

Andy Reeves from Speakeasy Theatre Company explains “This interactive learning experience supports creative thinking processes for children as well as developing literacy and numeracy skills. It also presents opportunities for teachers to consider creative approaches to enhance all learning and teaching.”