The Every Child Matters agenda explains The Government's policies regarding young people. The aim, as stated in the ECM, is “for every child, whatever their background or their circumstances, to have the support they need” to:

  Be healthy,

Stay safe,

Enjoy and achieve,

Make a positive contribution,

Achieve economic well-being.

The Government wishes to encourage children and young people themselves to have more say about issues that affect them as individuals and collectively, which is a key strength of the work of the Common Air Theatre Company.

Within our workshops, particular attention will be given to the views of vulnerable young people and those at risk of social exclusion, in order to ensure they receive the help and support they need and to promote their participation in the work of the organizations whose decisions directly affect their lives.

The Government is also encouraging greater co-operation and co-ordination between various groups that have contact with children such as hospitals, schools, police and voluntary groups to protect young people from harm, and to help them 'achieve their potential.'

'Rehearsing Life' Utilizing Forum Theatre

By tackling key issues that affect young people today, the Common Air Theatre Company bridges the gap between young people and organizations.

For example, during a recent school project that focussed on sexual health, the company not only tackled important issues surrounding the taboo subject of STI's, but also brought the young members of the audience into contact with sexual health organizations that cater for young people. The nature of the project, Forum Theatre, requires audience participation and engagement. In this sense, the company facilitated co-operation between sexual health organizations and the schools, whilst ensuring that both were catering properly to young people's needs, as dictated by the young people themselves through their participation.

Forum Theatre has commonly been used with vulnerable and socially excluded groups. Well known examples include the theatre groups for the homeless, such as Cardboard Citizens, which aid with self-esteem and the skills needed to develop the personal, social and emotional skills needed to thrive in today's society.

Our work can be of use to such groups as NEET 16-18 year olds, exploring issues that are important to them and their survival. The Government has recognized that “when young people participate in decisions affecting their learning and social experience they are more likely to achieve and become active citizens.” The beauty of Forum theatre is that it encourages young people to become active participants in forming decisions that affect their lives, whilst providing a safe environment for them to experiment with the consequences of their actions! It gives them an opportunity to safely 'rehearse life' within the safety of play acting. Forum theatre can be adapted to many different issues or themes, thus aiding young people according to their needs. Giving young people the power to make positive decisions that affect their welfare is one of many important steps set out by the Government in helping young people to qualify themselves for success. It's a great way of involving at risk students in something that will have a positive message.

The Government's green paper, “Youth Matters,” sets out proposals regarding 13-19 year olds. One key aim, set out in the paper, is “Better information, advice and guidance about issues that matter to them, delivered in the way they want to receive it.” Targets include:

  Reducing teenage conceptions

  Reducing substance misuse

  Reducing the proportion of young people not in education, employment or training Increasing the proportion of young people aged 19 achieving level 2 and 3

  qualifications.

The number of teenage pregnancies is increasing, as are rates of STI transmission. The proportion of 16-18-year-olds not in education, employment or training (NEET) has remained broadly level over the last decade, although there are signs of a downward trend. The DfES has recently agreed a challenging target to reduce the proportion of NEET 16-18-year-olds by two percentage points between 2004 and 2010.

Personal Education Raising Achievement and serving the Gifted & Talented

Some Underachievers struggle with reading and writing, so Forum theatre is a different and original way of teaching those students who might otherwise struggle in a traditional learning environment. This is also conducive to developing their expressive and creative side. In the same vein as interactive theatre, forum theatre encourages students to learn themselves as opposed to being 'taught'.

For the Gifted and Talented, Forum theatre encourages spontaneity and there are no barriers (i.e. lines) so a student can develop with no restraints on their creativity. It is a way of bringing a 'career' to the masses, i.e. being an actor. Students can see that being an actor can educating and reaching out to real people who might benefit from your talent.

Extra-curricular Drama Clubs

Central to the ideas of the ECM agenda is the Government's policy of “Culture, Sport and Play.” When asked what they regard as their priorities, children and young people consistently reply that they would like more "things to do and places to go". The Government hopes to provide children with positive in-and-out-of-school activities that aid children's development. Play is recognized by the Government as key to every child's development. Through play, children learn about the world around them and their role in a community. The role of the arts in play is highly significant, helping children to develop essential social and inter-personal skills. Like school, theatre prepares pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life.

The work that the Common Air Theatre Company undertakes aims to motivate and stretch audience members to examine the consequences of our actions, and what we can do to effect positive change in the way we interact within our community.

One aspect of our work is its flexibility; we are able to adapt to any setting, any idea, and can explore it theatrically. We want to know what services teachers need from a theatre company.  

We are able to support the work done by libraries and museums, thus involving young people more in their community.