The "Wicked" production’s cultural and social education programme collaborates with the Anti-Bullying Alliance and Starling Arts to provide free PSHE resource for every school
WICKED ACTIVE LEARNING, the acclaimed cultural and social education programme for the London stage production of Wicked has launched a new, free, on-demand Anti-Bullying Workshop in collaboration with the Anti-Bullying Alliance and Starling Arts. The workshop will focus on themes central to the story of the musical, including self-esteem, discrimination, and identity.
Led by Anna Shields and Emily Garsin from Starling Arts, the interactive workshop is suitable for KS2 and supports PSHE and Citizenship teaching and Anti-Bullying strategies. The Anti-Bullying resources were developed in partnership with the Anti-Bullying Alliance.
Michael McCabe, Executive Producer of Wicked in the UK said:
“We’re very proud to launch this free Anti-Bullying Workshop experience to support PSHE and Citizenship teaching and anti-bullying strategies. Filmed on stage at the Apollo Victoria Theatre and developed with the Anti-Bullying Alliance and our official workshop provider, Starling Arts, we’re pleased to make this Key Stage 2 resource freely available to every school in the UK via our Wicked Active Learning education programme.”
Martha Evans, Director of the Anti-Bullying Alliance said:
“Amidst the vibrant tapestry of Wicked's narrative lies a powerful message: the journey towards acceptance, empowerment, and friendship. As Director of the Anti-Bullying Alliance, I am pleased to see our partnership with Wicked materialise into a free, on-demand Anti-Bullying Workshop for schools to use. By weaving themes of Wicked into this educational anti-bullying experience, we aim to empower students to stand tall against bullying in all its forms.”
Anna Shields and Emily Garsin from Starling Arts said:
“Starling Arts is honoured to play a part alongside Wicked Active Learning in equipping students with the knowledge and tools to combat bullying. This on-demand digital workshop complements our official Wicked in-person workshops, which bring the world of Wicked into schools and youth groups across the country.”
Download workshop and production images and Wicked Active Learning logos here
To download the workshop, visit https://www.wickedactivelearning.co.uk/online-workshops
For more information on the WICKED ACTIVE LEARNING, Anti-Bullying Alliance, and Starling Art partnership, please contact Rebecca Byers, 07813 902 937 / [email protected], David Bloom, 07980 297 299 / [email protected], www.storyhousepr.co.uk or email us at [email protected]
Official in-person ‘Anti-Bullying’, ‘Wellbeing’, and ‘Musical Theatre’ workshop experiences are additionally deliverable in schools or central London venues, hosted by experienced practitioners from Starling Arts. The ‘Wellbeing’ workshop is adaptable for teachers and school staff. For further information contact the Wicked Active Learning education team at [email protected]
An additional KS2 PSHE classroom resource, Be a Wicked Friend, has also recently been added to the extensive selection of free teaching and learning resources available via the website: www.WickedActiveLearning.co.uk
About Wicked
“One of the all-time musical theatre successes” (The Guardian), Wicked is already the 10th longest-running West End show in British history and has won more than 100 global awards since its Broadway premiere in 2003.
Adapted for the stage from Gregory Maguire's acclaimed novel 'Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West' (readers 16+) by writer Winnie Holzman and composer/lyricist Stephen Schwartz, Wicked is about "nurturing self-esteem, overcoming discrimination, and finding a sense of identity" (Drama & Theatre).
Wicked proudly supports and champions the work of the Anti-Bullying Alliance, the National Literacy Trust, and Theatre Works!, the charity providing theatre tickets to disadvantaged children across the UK.
About Wicked Active Learning
Praised by educators as “the gold standard for West End shows reaching out into education” and “enriching, engaging, and easy to use”, the London stage musical’s cultural and social education programme champions learning outside the classroom, live theatre evaluation, personal development, and curriculum enrichment.
Twice voted 'Best Theatre Production for Schools' at the annual School Travel Awards, Wicked is inspired by “one of the most influential children's stories of all time" (The Times), L. Frank Baum’s ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’ (1900), and explores themes of self-esteem, discrimination, identity, fake news, and friendship. Wicked Active Learning supports programmes of study for English, Drama, Music, PSHE, Citizenship, and more, providing an extensive range of free, downloadable classroom resources and lesson plans.
The in-house education team also assists subject teachers, school leaders, and EVCs in the planning, booking, safeguarding, and delivery of every school’s visit to experience Wicked live on stage in London.
Wicked Writers: Be the Change, a partnership between the National Literacy Trust and Wicked Active Learning, recently announced this year’s winners and runners-up of its popular schools’ writing competition. The work of all the young writers shortlisted is published in ‘Wicked Writers: Be the Change Anthology 2024’, available from Amazon. Learn more at: www.LiteracyTrust.org.uk/wicked-writers
About Starling Arts
Starling Arts is a not-for-profit organisation that advocates group singing for wellbeing. Since 2010, the company has explored how singing has the power to change lives, inspiring happy and healthy communities across London and beyond. Rooted in the traditions of musical theatre and community music, the Starling Arts team applies these skills to explore themes and ideas and connect people through the simple act of singing together.
On behalf of Wicked Active Learning, the company delivers official Wicked ‘Wellbeing’, ‘Musical Theatre’ and ‘Anti-Bullying’ workshops, the latter devised in partnership with the Anti-Bullying Alliance, in schools and pre-approved Central London venues.
About the Anti-Bullying Alliance
We are a unique coalition of over 230 organisations and individuals, based at the National Children’s Bureau, working together to unite against bullying and create safer environments for children to learn, play, and live. We:
- share learning and best practice;
- raise awareness of bullying including through coordinating Anti-Bullying Week; and
- help stop bullying and bring lasting change to children's lives.