Applications for Creative Connections 26-27 are now open!
Creative Connections is a new, fully funded scheme, designed to increase engagement with theatre and storytelling in schools. In its pilot year, Creative Connections is working with 6 schools across Merton and Croydon to provide access to live theatre for children and arts-based training for teachers, as well as shaping the future of Polka’s shows and schools programmes.
This year, Polka is excited to be partnering with:
- Harris Primary Academy Purley Way, Croydon
- Hillcross Primary School, Merton
- John Wood School and Nursery, Croydon
- Malmesbury Primary School, Merton
- Merton Abbey Primary School, Merton
- Morden Primary School, Merton
To apply to take part in Creative Connections 26-27, please fill in the form below.
Schools taking part in Creative Connections shape the work we produce by taking part in our Teacher Advisory Group, R&Ds and feedback sessions.
This year, schools have:
- Taken part in an R&D for an adaptation of a popular children’s book
- Created a costume piece for our upcoming production of Arthur
- Taken part in photoshoots for our new website
- Helped to design upcoming schools projects
Alongside this, schools are provided with:
- At least 1 free ticket to Polka for every child
- 3 Polka Teacher CPD days based on Polka’s leading schools programmes, covering Storytelling, Oracy and Literacy
- 2 whole school story assemblies
- Discounts on workshops and in-school CPD days
- Last minute ticket offers
To apply to be a Creative Connections school in the 26-27 academic year, please fill in the below form by Monday 18 May at 9am.
In order to be eligible, schools must fill a minimum of two of the following criteria:
- Have more than 30% of their students who are eligible for Pupil Premium Grant (PPG)
- Have more than 40% of pupils for whom English is an additional language
- Have a large number of children who have refugee status
- Are a special school, or have a high number of children with SEND
- Find it difficult to give their students opportunities to experience the arts
If you have any questions, or need any help completing your application, please contact Lizzie, Schools Manager, on lizzie@polkatheatre.com
“We are thrilled to be one of the first schools taking part in The Polka Theatre’s Creative Connections project! With reading as a key priority in our curriculum, this is a wonderful opportunity for our children to experience the magic of storytelling brought to life through drama. We’re equally excited about the valuable CPD opportunities this project offers for our staff — helping us grow as educators while inspiring a lifelong love of reading in our pupils.”
Elisha Gray, Harris Primary Academy Purley Way
“I’m delighted that we were chosen to take part as it’s a fantastic opportunity for our children to thrive and have new experiences and for our teachers to be equipped with more tools to deliver a creative, engaging and literacy rich curriculum.”
Rebecca Mitchell, Hillcross Primary School
“At John Wood School and Nursery, we really care about providing our children with a variety of enriching experiences. We are so excited to join the Creative Connections partnership as we believe it will support our children to become more confident, resilient and collaborative learners. Thank you Polka Theatre for this opportunity!”
Shareen Ffrench, John Wood School
“We are excited to take part in Creative Connections because we want to develop our creative partnership with the Polka. Story telling and drama are great ways to engage children and drive their learning forward; we want to learn from the Polka’s expertise in these.”
Michael Bradley, Merton Abbey Primary School
Creative Connections is generously supported by The Garek Trust.