From Monday 12th April, government guidance changed to allow schools to resume day trips[1], and to allow in-person workshops, after-school clubs and other extra-curricular activities. This meant Theatre Workout could resume our live, in-person workshops as part of our outreach programme.
From 17th May 2021[2] theatres started to reopen, and we have been able to run our multi-award-winning West End Workshops, although with a limited capacity of 20 students per studio to maintain social distancing. Phase 3 of the government’s roadmap meant theatres to reopen with up to 1000 audience members, or 50% capacity, whichever is the lower, and it was wonderful to see so many shows announcing their reopening plans.
Sadly, phase 4 of the roadmap, due to happen from 21st June 2021 has been delayed by four weeks! This means that capacity limits for our West End Workshops cannot be lifted in time to allow workshops to resume in our West End studios before the end of term.
For theatres, this means many will struggle with reduced capacity, but those which are planning to reopen before the end of term look like they are still going ahead – too much has been invested already to cancel now!
The travel sector too, of which Theatre Workout is a part, will also continue to struggle, but now is a perfect time to plan ahead for the new school year, to take advantage of great offers on attractions, shows and more from September 2021.
However, the good news is that outreach workshops are still allowed! We can travel anywhere in the UK to deliver our amazing workshops to your students and we’re offering further reductions on outreach workshops which take place before the end of July.
For more information on booking a workshop, contact us today.
Read our free resource on planning your own theatre trip.
[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/schools-coronavirus-covid-19-operational-guidance#educational-visits
In line with the roadmap, schools can resume educational day visits from 12 April.
Any educational day visits must be conducted in line with relevant coronavirus (COVID-19) secure guidelines and regulations in place at that time. This includes system of controls, such as keeping children within their consistent groups and the COVID-secure measures in place at the destination.
Schools should undertake full and thorough risk assessments in relation to all educational visits to ensure they can be undertaken safely. As part of this risk assessment, schools will need to consider what control measures need to be used and follow wider advice on visiting indoor and outdoor venues. Schools should consult the health and safety guidance on educational visits when considering visits.
[2] Schools may begin planning for new domestic residential educational visits to take place. Should step 3 commence as planned, new visits will be possible from no earlier than 17 May.
Schools are advised not to enter into any new financial or contractual commitments at this stage. This advice will remain under review and updated at the earliest opportunity.
Any new domestic residential educational visits must be conducted in line with relevant coronavirus (COVID-19) secure guidance and regulations in place at that time.
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