Following our previous film projects with care experienced young people, we’ve been commissioned by eight Virtual Schools to create a training film about the impacts of school suspensions and exclusions.
Virtual Schools from Coventry, Dudley, Shropshire, Solihull, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Wolverhampton and Walsall, have joined forces to commission us, aiming to raise awareness amongst teachers, social workers and professionals nationwide about the personal and wider impacts of school suspensions and exclusions on care experienced young people.
Through creative workshops and mask work, the sessions will explore these themes with participants from each Virtual School, using their direct experience and perspectives to create the film’s content. It will also feature participants performing in the film. Acknowledging the tireless work that schools and teachers do, in a very challenging time, we are also holding consultation sessions with headteachers, teachers, social workers and carers from across the UK to ensure the film reflects a broad and authentic perspective.
Vamos Theatre has previously created films with Staffordshire Virtual School, exploring the experiences of young people in care being bullied at school - praised nationally by the Children’s Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel De Souza - and Walsall Virtual School, supporting care-experienced young people transition from primary to secondary school.