Year seven is a difficult time for most children. At 11 years old, they’ve just stepped up into ‘big school’ and their world has changed forever.
Their position at the top of the tree at primary school, where everyone did everything together as a class, has disappeared. Instead they’re moving around the school and between groups for different subjects – and they’re at the bottom of the ladder. On the plus side they’re enjoying much more freedom; they’re growing up and gaining independence.
But there’s a darker side.
Bullying, being ostracised and ignored, shades of physical and mental abuse lurk in the shadows of the senior school experience for many. Some avoided the pitfalls, but still remember those who weren’t so lucky.
The confident children, and those who appear confident, generally escape negative attention. They manage, somehow, to pull it off. Even those who may not be deemed ‘cool,’ who may be a little different, but have sufficient conviction and focus, will offer a much reduced target. Some of the quieter ones are undoubtedly at risk – in school and online. Wherever they find themselves, in this most subjective pecking order, survival and achieving success can be stressful.
Mark Ashton, director at Skelmersdale’s new Artz Centre, says more can be done to help 11 year olds navigate their way through some of these challenging months. Mark is already working with groups of year seven youngsters, harnessing the arts to empower, question and instill confidence.
“We have put together a course that helps tackle all these social issues for year sevens. Our sessions, on six days spread over six weeks, give children the opportunity to experience working with dance, drama, music, makeup, film and photography. All creative experiences, all offering different ways to promote confidence and assurance,” said Mark.
“Kids can’t always be themselves at school. If they’re not following the common trend, they may not feel strong enough to just opt out in favour of their individual choices. What we’re teaching on our courses is that ‘quiet’ doesn’t mean you don’t have something to say.
“One of the ways we’ve been working on confidence issues for example is through drama sessions where our chosen director for the group is the only one allowed to speak, or where we use blindfolds and kids have to rely on listening. It builds respect for each other and allows some of the noisier members of the group to re-evaluate less vocal peers.”
The centre is supported by local business, accident repair group Karl Vella. The company’s commercial director, David Vella, says: “Mark has been incredibly successful in attracting funding for this first course and the results have been incredible. We’re hoping that schools across West Lancashire will now start to approach the Artz Centre to work with their pupils.”
A few days ago the first group of youngsters – all girls – to go through the process ‘graduated’. In his opening address, before the girls’ parents and families, Mark noted: “Year seven girls really are a gap year, there’s very little for them – and they’re at a really important age. The girls coming here have worked on confidence and self-worth. They’ve come back every week and done something different. Their behaviour has been exemplary. They’ve been keen to try new things, they’ve learned that they can be who they are, not who society thinks they should be.”
The girls, from Lathom High School, found a true life topic to represent through every area of the arts the studied, from film, photography and dance through to stage direction. Their work was showcased during the evening, including a live dance performance.
Jane Galbraith, Acting Headteacher at Lathom High School, attended the presentation for the girls who completed the Creative Development Programme at Artz Academy. She said: “The girls involved have gained so much from completing this course with Mark and his team. They have enjoyed their work at the Academy immensely and we have seen their self-esteem, leadership skills and confidence grow immeasurably both on the course and back in school on a daily basis. To see their work displayed at the presentation was very emotional and made me incredibly proud. It was also an absolute pleasure to talk to the girls’ parents about the positive impact this work has had on their daughters and just how much they enjoyed it. We are looking forward to working with Mark and all the fantastic team at Artz Academy again in the future.’
Said Mark: “The sessions tackle subjects selected by the children, facilitated by inspirational role models. They got more involved because they were exploring their own issues and the work is done outside of school, although still during school time.”
Because Mark and the team work with older children, 15 and 16 year olds from the same schools, they’re exploring buddying relationships where older pupils commit to looking after the youngsters. What’s coming out of it all is developing confidence. That he’s managed to get funding from the council for the scheme for this age group is an achievement in itself it’s an age group where there’s often a funding gap. “This first course was funded by the Prevention and Early Help Service. West Lancashire CVS also had quite a big hand in identifying the centre as the best group to take on,” said Mark.
Schools interested in contacting Mark should either visit www.artzcentre.co.uk or call 01695 733080.