Jim Pope is employed by the Bigfoot Theatre Company, based in South London. The brainchild of actor and educational missionary Karl Wozny - his feet are size 13 - Bigfoot has been running after school drama clubs, holiday courses and performances for children for the past three years. This year, it started a supply teaching agency.
Bigfoot works with 50 "supply" actors. Few are qualified teachers but all are experienced in working with children and are "police checked". Bigfoot trains them rigorously in school practices and the curricula before they start. Once in schools, they are carefully observed until the company is satisfied that the work is up to standard. And the company continually spot-checks it's actor/teachers.
In any week, about 10 London and Home Counties schools are choosing a Bigfoot actor preference to a mainstream supply agency to cover for illness, teachers attending courses, or - as Heathbrook - to give permanent staff some time away from the classroom.
The company plans to expand into Brighton and, possibly Birmingham.
