"Drama highlights things in a child's mind and allows them to learn in a hands-on way instead of from textbooks," explains Ashmount's deputy head, Ranna Pandya. "It also teaches them co-operation with others - the children liked the inclusion aspect of the session with Bigfoot because they weren't working in their usual set groups. "In addition, PSHE [Personal, Social and Health Education] is such a big thing now. Using drama offers children the chance to tackle issues of citizenship through role-playing and it gives them a way to express themselves more."
ELSEWHERE, two other schools have been using Bigfoot's service and the results have been very positive. St James's Hatcham Primary, in New Cross, has arranged supply cover from Bigfoot three times and has already booked them again, while Royston Primary, in Penge, has been equally impressed. "One of our teachers was off sick and didn't leave any plans," recalls acting headteacher at St James's, Sonia McFarlane. "Gail Richards from Bigfoot came in with some lovely ideas and the children responded really well.
