COVID-19 Information (UPDATED 05/10/21)

The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent government measures to control the virus pose a number of challenges to our work. We intend this page to provide you with as much information as possible about how we're responding to the rapidly changing situation and the plans we have in place. 

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We've answered some of the key questions that we've been asked on our COVID-19 FAQ page.

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Our Safer Working Practice

1. How has our COVID-19 safe working practice been developed? 

In the development of this policy the following guidance documents have been consulted:

 

Space for Learning: Covid Secure guidance for museums, galleries, heritage and performing arts sites

DCMS: Guidance for Performing Arts 

DfE: Guidance for full opening: schools

DfE: Protective measures for out-of-school settings for children during the COVID-19 outbreak

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We had the opportunity to visit a few schools to lead workshops during the summer term 2020. This allowed us to explore the possibilities of how participatory drama can take place with social distancing, and as a team we are sharing and disseminating what we learnt from this. We’re confident that it is possible to deliver high quality drama and that it can be very effective despite the restrictions currently placed upon it.

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We know that schools are all working to make their environment as safe as possible as for staff, pupils and visitors.  Where the school’s COVID-19 health and safety policy permits us to do so we are visiting schools, and our team will adhere to our minimum Safe Working Practice guidelines.

 

Where our work takes place in theatres, we are working with the organisations concerned to provide the most accurate information on our practice, but please be aware that this information is emerging as theatres begin to look towards reopening and many of their employees are currently furloughed. We will update this document in light of further information as and when it becomes available. 

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2. What general measures are we taking in order to safely work in schools?

 

We will ALWAYS liaise closely with school staff to ensure that we comply with individual school’s policy, but in addition to any measures the school requires us to take, North West Drama will ensure that:

• All booking forms, consent forms and other paperwork will be completed digitally where possible

• Share our risk assessment document and safe working practice document prior to any visit being confirmed

• Take responsibility to confirm with schools the space being used (ensuring adequate ventilation), group size and specific needs to be accounted for, the number of adults who will be supporting pupils and any social distancing measures that we are required by the school to take 

• Practitioners will travel directly to the school and ensure social distancing if they need to use public transport. They may also request to adjust session timing in order that they can avoid travelling at times when public transport is busier

• Practitioners will, as a minimum standard, sanitise their hands on arrival at the school and before meeting a new group of pupils

• Practitioners will wear a face covering when moving around the school, and will remain in the designated space as much as possible during their visit. They will not stay in the building any longer than necessary

• Practitioners will be asked to take a lateral flow test 24 hours before visiting schools each week until such a time as this is deemed no longer necessary 

• Maintain a safe distance (+1 metre) from staff and pupils during workshops, and/or wear a face shield if it is judged that this is not possible OR if school policy requires it

• If weather permits the workshop will be delivered outdoors, but if is delivered indoors doors and windows will remain open as long as this is feasible and safe

• Practitioners will use vinyl markers on the floor to help pupils to remain socially distant. These will be sanitised before being used by another group

• Work will be planned to avoid physical contact between individuals and will avoid activities if they are considered high risk (such as singing or projecting voices)

• Avoid using paper handouts and objects that could be passed from person to person

 

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3. What measures will we take in order to mitigate the risks associated with the delivery of the Children's Shakespeare Festivals in 2020/21?

 

We're proceeding with all planned Children’s Shakespeare Festivals (CSFs) for 2021/22. Building on the success of last year's . In order to ensure that this year's CSFs can take place, we may need to make adaptations to the project as the situation changes and guidance is updated. In addition to the general measures for working in schools identified in section 2 (see above) we also have a number of CSF specific measures in place, or which we are able to implement should we need to:

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Residential

• We will hold a physical non-residential CPD event if there is demand for it

• We will deliver a series of 1.5hr virtual workshops throughout the spring term

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Scheme of Work

This year's scheme of work will:

•  take account of the restrictions around social distancing in schools

•  feature a new 'Home Learning' element for use in the event of bubbles needing to self-isolate

 

Workshops in school (with a NWD practitioner)

The general measures identified in section 2 (above) will form the basis of our safe working practice in schools, but we will ensure we comply with schools’ health and safety policies.

 

Final performances

As it’s not yet clear whether restrictions will allow us to hold a final performance at the theatres as we usually do, we’ll work with an open and flexible approach to the final sharing of work. The final performance will always be our preferred outcome of course, but alternative outcomes may be:

• A final performance at a partner theatre, with all or most classes performing as usual in front of an invited audience (but with the possibility of alternative contributions from classes who are have been unable to create a final performance due to circumstances relating to COVID-19 - see list below)

• A final performance which is filmed on stage at a partner theatre, with classes attending for a non-mixing slot to rehearse and record their performance (the final film will be produced by North West Drama)

• A film compiled of class performances that are self-taped in their own schools (edited and made into a final film by North West Drama)

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If you have any questions or require further information on the payment structure or any aspects of our COVID-19 safe working practice, please email matt@northwestdramaservices.co.uk.

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