Youth & Education Outreach
January 15, 2026 2026-01-15 16:08Youth & Education Outreach
Youth & Education Outreach
Come and JOIN US!
The Ropetackle has been a part of Shoreham for nearly twenty years – and now we want even more of the local community to get connected! Our aim is to inspire young people, supporting learning, bringing our community together through creativity.
The Ropetackle Arts Centre is a warm, welcoming place where young people can discover the excitement of live performance, find their creative voice and feel they truly belong.
Our Youth & Education programme connects young people, schools, artists and community groups through accessible and inspiring theatre experiences that build confidence, imagination – and ensure both an ongoing love of theatre and the Ropetackle’s survival.
From amazing shows, first visits and school workshops to youth theatre, backstage tours and holiday projects, we believe that the arts should be accessible to everyone. Whether you are stepping onto a stage for the first time, bringing a class to the theatre, or looking to collaborate as an artist, the Ropetackle is here to support and inspire you.
Everyone is welcome! So please have a look around our programme here online and feel free to get connected with us!
This project has been made possible by the kind and generous support of the following sponsors:
Young People
A space to create, perform and be yourself.
One of our main aims is to engage with as many young people as possible and have them involved in some incredible, unforgettable and life changing experiences.
For those aged 4–18 and curious about theatre, storytelling or performance, The Ropetackle is a brilliant place to start – no experience needed. Our activities are fun, friendly and designed to help children grow in confidence while making new friends.
What’s On Offer
- Youth theatre sessions led by professional theatre-makers
- Age-appropriate groups in a supportive, welcoming environment
- Opportunities to perform on the Ropetackle stage
- Holiday activities including play-in-a-week projects and drama intensives
- SEND-friendly and inclusive sessions
Whether you want to be centre stage or just give it a go, you’ll be encouraged, supported and celebrated. We offer affordable pricing and funded places so that money is never a barrier to taking part.
By focusing on long-term relationships, accessibility and high-quality creative content, the Ropetackle can support learning, wellbeing and aspiration while nurturing the next generation of audiences.
Education
Creative experiences that support learning and wellbeing.
We work in partnership with primary and secondary schools, colleges, SEND settings, youth clubs and community organisations to deliver high-quality arts experiences that enrich learning and inspire young people.
What We Offer Schools & Youth Groups
- In-school drama and creative workshops
- Backstage tours and theatre discovery visits
- Curriculum-linked and age-appropriate performances
- Relaxed and SEND-friendly sessions
- Teacher and youth worker engagement events
Our work supports confidence, communication, teamwork and wellbeing, while complementing curriculum learning. We pride ourselves on being flexible, approachable and easy to work with, offering affordable pricing and subsidised options wherever possible.
This outreach programme sets out a clear, practical and scalable approach for The Ropetackle Arts Centre to deepen engagement with local schools, colleges, SEND settings, youth clubs and community youth organisations.
Its focus is on building long-term relationships, reducing barriers to participation, and inspiring young people to see The Ropetackle as a welcoming, creative and relevant space for them.
The programme is designed to be shared with trustees, funders, schools and local authority partners, and to support both strategic planning and day-to-day delivery.
Overall Aim
To increase sustained engagement with children and young people across the local area by embedding The Ropetackle Arts Centre into the educational, social and cultural lives of schools and youth organisations.
Key Objectives
- To build long-term partnerships with primary and secondary schools, colleges, SEND provisions and youth organisations
- To increase the number of young people visiting The Ropetackle Arts Centre each year
- To provide high-quality, inspiring arts experiences that support learning, wellbeing and creativity
- To create clear pathways for young people and families to progress from first engagement to regular participation
- To ensure access is inclusive, affordable and welcoming to all
- To support teachers and youth workers through curriculum-linked and skills-based provision
Key Messages
- The Ropetackle Arts Centre is a welcoming, inclusive space for young people
- The arts support learning, confidence, wellbeing and aspiration
- Our work complements the curriculum and youth development outcomes
- There are affordable and accessible ways for every group to engage
- Long-term partnerships bring the greatest benefit to young people
Primary Audiences
- Primary schools (KS1 & KS2)
- Secondary schools (KS3–KS5)
- Colleges and FE providers
- SEND schools, units and alternative provision
- Youth clubs and youth centres
- Community youth organisations (including uniformed groups, faith groups and voluntary organisations)
Core Outreach Offer
Secondary Audiences
- Teachers, teaching assistants and school leaders
- Youth workers and group leaders
- Parents and carers
- Local authorities and education partners
Practical, engaging workshops delivered in schools and youth settings, led by professional artists and creatives.
Examples:
- Drama and storytelling
- Movement and physical theatre
- Devising and improvisation
- Confidence and communication skills
- Play-making and performance skills
Features:
- Curriculum-linked (English, Drama, PSHE, History)
- Adaptable for SEND and alternative provision
- Single sessions or short projects
- Clear learning outcomes
Behind-the-scenes experiences introducing young people to how a theatre works.
Includes:
- Touring the stage, dressing rooms and control box
- Meeting technicians, front-of-house staff or artists
- Hands-on demonstrations (lighting, sound, props)
- Q&A sessions
Affordable performances aligned to curriculum topics or age groups.
Options:
- Schools-only daytime performances
- Relaxed performances for SEND audiences
- Pre-show workshops and post-show discussions
- Teacher resource packs
Building confidence and trust with educators and group leaders.
Activities:
- Teacher taster evenings and open days
- CPD-style workshops using drama as a learning tool
- Regular schools and youth e-newsletter
- Named Ropetackle contact for education enquiries
Clear progression routes for young people who want to engage more deeply.
Pathway Model:
- First experience (school workshop or visit)
- Youth theatre taster sessions
- Weekly youth theatre groups (age-banded)
- Performance opportunities on The Ropetackle stage
- Progression to advanced projects, work experience or mentoring
Creative activities during school holidays.
Examples:
- Short drama intensives
- Play-in-a-week projects
- SEND-friendly holiday sessions
- Subsidised places for low-income families
Reducing financial barriers.
Approaches:
- School group discounts
- Pay-what-you-can performances
- Free tickets for partner youth groups
- Travel support where possible
- Funded places through grants and sponsorship
Artists
Creating inspiring work together.
The Ropetackle Arts Centre collaborates with a diverse range of freelance artists to deliver exciting, inclusive and high-quality work with children and young people.
Working With Us
- Paid opportunities across workshops, youth theatre and outreach projects
- Supportive working environment with clear briefing and safeguarding
- Opportunities to develop education and participation practice
- A strong commitment to inclusion, access and artistic quality
We welcome artists from a wide range of backgrounds and are always keen to hear from those passionate about working with young people and communities.
Our programme welcomes and supports the development of innovative and exciting theatre.
As part of existing tours or one off bespoke theatre and arts events, we invite potential Producers to approach us with productions and development ideas that would enhance our programme.
The Ropetackle as an option, is also keen to find new avenues to bring theatre to life for new audiences. We are able to mount successful and promote existing successful productions of varying scales, headed by Producer and Creative Director for LP Creatives Tom Beard.
- Drama and storytelling
- Movement and physical theatre
- Music and song
- Readings
- Diversity
- Devising and improvisation
- Workshops on confidence and communication skills
- Play-making and performance skills workshops
- Curriculum-linked (English, Drama, PSHE, History)
- Adaptable for SEND and alternative provision
- Single sessions or short projects
- Clear learning outcomes
Contact Us
Let's Start a conversation
Education & Outreach Officer – Tom Beard
Whether you’re a young person looking to get involved, a school or youth group wanting to book a visit or workshop, an artist interested in working with us, or a partner with an idea to explore – we’d love to hear from you.
Get in touch to find out how you can be part of the creative future at The Ropetackle Arts Centre.
