Photo credit: msc1photography
A locally rooted partnership of arts-based learning exploring ‘identity’ and ‘difference’. New Shores is a two-year programme engaging with hundreds of children and teachers through KIT Theatre's 'Adventures in Learning' approach.
September 2024-August 2026
Scarborough Schools
New Shores seeks to inspire children and young people in Scarborough to enjoy their learning, grow confidence, critical thinking skills, improve attainment and celebrate their academic achievements.
Alongside this, we support and develop a cohort of participatory freelance artists, boosting the skills in our region and building a legacy for future work.
KIT Theatre lead creative delivery using their award-winning Adventures in Learning model: immersive theatre erupting in classrooms and cultural venues to deliver learning and develop creativity.
Year One
So far we have:
Worked with 4 different schools and 24 teachers
Delivered 74 creative sessions and 2 residences
Engaged with over 370 children
Worked with 16 artists and creatives
Our partners have included Gladstone Road Primary School, Northstead Primary School, Springhead Special School and Scarborough’s Pupil Referral Service. KIT Theatre have taken the creative lead alongside Scarborough Museums and Galleries and a team of talented performers and artists from across the region.
Pupils at Gladstone Primary School met the ancient Greek God Zeus, sharing their own myths, stories and local facts. Earlier in the year they met geological storyteller, Eady, to enjoy an explosive journey to the centre of the Earth to learn about volcanoes and plan a daring museum heist.
At Springhead Special School pupils created a magical ‘Museum of Me’, sharing and celebrating their own special objects. A magical exhibition installation was created with personal and special objects, sounds, images and videos from each child from 3 classes in Springhead School, who then came to explore and share with lead artist Rebecca Denniff, the museum curator, and Tommy T. Thompson.
There has even been the launch of a new football team, PR-United, formed by the pupils at Scarborough’s Pupil Referral Unit and supported by Scarborough Football Club. The pupils have enjoyed game design, art and design and music, responding to themes of football, teamwork and identity.
The students had the incredible opportunity to work with acclaimed writer and Guinness world record breaking beatboxer Testament, rap and grime artist Chiedu Oraka and DJ Methodz.
At Northstead Primary School Reception pupils enjoyed their first ever experience of immersive learning during a ‘taster day’. A mysterious adventure was launched by their headmaster during assembly, asking them to investigate something strange that had landed in their playground. Little did they know they would meet a special visitor, an alien called Nanoo!
Springhead school also welcomed and cared for alien Nanoo. During a week-long, creative residency, the whole school took part. Pupils weaved a giant, sensory nest, shared stories and sang favourite songs. They finished the week by enjoying trips to the local mere and beach together, pupils introducing Nanoo to their unique world.
What a year it has been!
We would like to give a huge thank you to the schools, teachers and creatives who have worked with us as part of our New Shores project this year.
We’re looking forward to the autumn when we will reflect on what we have done so far and co-design for the year ahead.
We can’t wait to see what happens next on our ‘New Shores’ adventures…
Adventures begin when a character unexpectedly makes contact with pupils. Characters present a problem which only pupils can solve, leading them to abandon normal lessons and embark on a mission which just-so-happens to connect with their current curriculum topic. All adventures include literacy and oracy challenges and opportunities for pupils to explore empathy and critical thinking. The characters and quests at the heart of New Shores will be inspired by Scarborough Museums and Galleries.
If you and your school are interested in taking part in the next Adventure in Scarborough, please contact info@hello-arcade.com.
A locally-rooted creative partnership between ARCADE, KIT Theatre, Scarborough Museums & Galleries and four Scarborough schools.
Funded by Paul Hamlyn Foundation and through public funding from the National Lottery by Arts Council England.
