'Just One Night'

A Key Stage 3 Knife Crime Theatre in Education Project

Collingwood are delighted to launch our new Knife Crime education programme. In response to calls from our clients, we have developed this hard hitting theatre in education package which is hitting the road in September 2011. Developed in association with Youth Offending Teams, the project targets the cycle of youth culture that perpetuates the risk of knife crime.

Aim

• To reduce knife crime and the potential for knife crime amongst young people

Objectives

• To raise awareness of the tragic consequences of knife crime
• For young people to understand the powerful social drivers for knife crime / carrying knives
• To develop strategies for resisting becoming involved in knife carrying and crime
• To signpost sources of information, advice and guidance related to gangs and knives

The performance tells the story of Tom, Dillinger, and Michelle, and their friendship, and is told over the course of one day and night. Tom, keen to befriend people in his new home, falls in with the gang. In 'just one night' of what he sees as excitement and adventure, events turn gravely serious as he becomes caught up in a cycle of fear, peer influence, and false pride. The performance deftly explores how carrying weapons increases the likelihood of others carrying them. Also how gang culture - however mild - can cause a young person to take almost incomprehensible decisions in the heat of the moment.

We want every young person to know that knife crime and carrying knives is real. Whatever your background, it is easy to become a perpetrator or victim unless you can read the signs. The performance and accompanying workshop allows the audience to identify situations, emotions, pressures, and other influences such as alcohol or drugs, which they can be aware of as they grow up. We then focus on strategies that the characters could have used to avert tragedy.

This hard-hitting performance is supported by extensive teaching resources, ensuring a lasting legacy in the school, and evaluation of every student and teacher. We are touring this Autumn, so come and see it in action. For further information and prices please call 01484 681025 or email Chris Pulleyn at chris.pulleyn@collingwoodlearning.com