Category: Fair Access

Directing Skills for Pupils and Teachers

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 Directing Skills Workshop 

For Pupils and their Teachers

Two young women sitting looking at scripts

Fair Access brought together Neil and Linda, both experts in their own fields, to work alongside pupils and teachers exploring directing skills. The session aimed to inspire pupils with the confidence to direct for Higher and Advanced Higher Drama, giving them practical skills to put into action, but also ensuring what they did fitted the SQA marking criteria for directing. It was a brilliant session involving pupils from eight different schools. Here are some comments: 

‘Thank you so much, it was an amazing opportunity and so informative. I now know that I want to be a director for sure!’

Pupil, Paisley Grammar



‘The session was very helpful in relation to SQA marking guidelines for Higher. It was very effective in boosting my own confidence and it was fabulous to see my pupils grow in confidence directing! I feel much more comfortable to present directing candidates.’

Teacher, Levenmouth Academy

 Get in touch 

If you’d like to find out about more opportunities for you and your pupils, contact the team at: fairaccesshello@rc.ac.uk 

Get Into: Performing and Production Arts Update

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 Get Into: Performing and Production Arts Update 

Musical Theatre, Filmmaking, Production, Singing and Guitar

Two people standing in a darkended room experimenting with lighting

This term, Fair Access has been running a fantastic programme of ‘Get Into’ courses designed as pathways towards further training in higher education.

Forty-five young people from across Scotland attend weekly workshops to develop their skills and confidence in either Production Arts and Technology, Guitar, Musical Theatre or Filmmaking (which focuses on either Script Writing or Post-production Sound).

Young woman showing a prop

We are especially delighted to be working in partnership with Eden Court Theatre in Inverness to host a further ‘Get Into: Production’ course, which focuses on prop making and includes a work experience placement at RCS.

Courses are led by RCS tutors and freelance artists, many of whom are RCS alumni, now working professionally. In January we are excited to offer ‘Get Into: Singing’ as part of this programme. 

 Want to know more about our ‘Get Into’ programmes? 

Look out for more Get Into programmes that you can sign up for next Spring. If you have any questions or queries, email: fairaccesshello@rcs.ac.uk

Bachelor of Education (Music) Taster Morning

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 Bachelor of Education (Music) 

 Taster Morning 

Monday 11 December, 9:30am – 1pm

Are your pupils interested in studying Music Teaching at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland?

Sign up now for you and up to three of your pupils to attend our taster morning. Taking place here at RCS, it will focus on providing information for the Bachelor of Education (Music) Degree. 

This morning will be a great opportunity to:

  • Find out about our BEd Music programme from the people who teach it
  • Try your hand at an introduction to music studies session
  • See inside RCS and get a feel for what it could be like to study here
  • Get up close with the instruments and resources available at RCS
  • Meet the Fair Access Team and learn what support we can offer you and your pupils

* Applications now closed *

Sign Up Deadline: 8 December, 12 noon

Fair Access is funded to support young people who face barriers in accessing the arts. You are welcome to book up to three of your pupils on this session who meet the following criteria:

Get in touch if you have any questions or need us to check a postcode for you.

 Contact Us 

If you have any questions or have any issues with filling out the form, please get in touch at: waci@rcs.ac.uk

Fair Access Filmmaking Taster Morning

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 Fair Access 

 Filmmaking Taster Morning 

Wednesday 8 November, 9:30 – 1pm

RCS, 100 Renfrew St, Glasgow G2 3DB

A group of young people with a tutor playing with film cameras

Are your pupils interested in studying Filmmaking at a college, university or conservatoire? Sign up now for you and up to three of your pupils to attend our Filmmaking Taster Morning at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. 

Come and meet some of the Fair Access team where we’ll be on hand to advise about what support we can offer you and your pupils. The taster session will also be a great opportunity to:

  • Find out more about the RCS BA Filmmaking course
  • Try your hand at screenwriting
  • Hear from and chat with current filmmaking students
  • Get up close with filmmaking equipment

We welcome you inside RCS to get a feel for what it could be like to study here.

* Applications now closed *

Booking Deadline: 1 November, 12 noon

Please note: Fair Access is funded to support young people who face barriers in accessing the arts. You are welcome to book up to three of your pupils on this session who meet the following criteria:

Get in touch and we can check your postcode for you. 

 Contact Us 

If you have any questions about this activity, please email: fairaccesshello@rcs.ac.uk

Focus on Applications: DDPF

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 Focus on Applications for 

 Dance, Drama, Production and Filmmaking 

Tuesday 12 & Thursday 14 September

Woman pointing at a screen that young woman is balancing on her lap

Want to discover more about studying dance, drama, production or filmmaking? Then our Focus on Applications for DDPF sessions are for you.

These two free sessions will be a great chance to:

  • Learn about studying at a college, university or conservatoire in dance, drama, production or filmmaking
  • Gain an understanding of the application process
  • Get top tips on how to write your personal statement

These sessions focus on applying via UCAS and UCAS Conservatoires, as well as applying for a creative course at any college and/or university.

When: 12 & 14 September, 5-7pm
Where: Online (via Zoom)
Who is it for: Eligible S5 and S6 pupils who are looking to apply to study the arts in further or higher education

* Applications now closed *

Note: Fair Access will prioritise those facing barriers to accessing the arts such as those:

  • living in an SIMD20 postcode and/or
  • care experienced or estranged and/or
  • identifying as Black, Indigenous or a Person of Colour (living at an SIMD20 or 40 postcode).

You can check your postcode here or if you contact the team we can check for you.

 Contact Us 

If you have any questions or any issues with filling out the form, please get in touch at: waci@rcs.ac.uk

Fair Access Focus Group: Care Experienced and Estranged Students

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 Fair Access Focus Group 

 Care Experienced & Estranged Student 

Wed 4 October 2023 & Wed 7 February 2024, 6 – 7:30pm

A group of people chatting round a table
©RCS-Robbie McFadzean

You are warmly invited to come along to our Fair Access Focus Group for Care Experienced and Estranged Students here at RCS. This focus group is run by Jesse Paul, the Head of Fair Access and is designed to give you the opportunity to contribute your ideas about how RCS should support care experienced and estranged students. Members of the RCS and Transitions staff will be in attendance to hear your views so that we can best understand ways to support you.

Dates for the diaries:
Book now to secure your place on the Focus Groups taking place from 6pm on:

  • Wednesday 4 October 2023
  • Wednesday 7 February 2024

 Click Here for the Booking Page 

Future reminders:
Keep details of this Focus Group in your calendar or diaries but you can also check the dates at any time on our online calendar.

Got questions?
You can get in touch with Jesse at: j.paul@rcs.ac.uk

Fair Access Focus Group: BIPOC

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 Fair Access BIPOC Focus Group 

Wed 20 September 2023 & Wed 24 January 2024, 6 – 7:30pm

©RCS-Robbie McFadzean

You are warmly invited to come along to our Fair Access BIPOC Focus Group sessions here at RCS.

What it’s for:

We look forward to having a discussion with you all to help us gather experiences and talk about how we might improve what we offer to our students. At the Focus Group, you will have a chance to contribute ideas about how RCS should support BIPOC students. The sessions will be run by our Head of Fair Access and Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion team. 

Dates for the diaries:
Book now to secure your place on the Focus Groups taking place from 6pm on:

  • Wednesday 20 September 2023
  • Wednesday 24 January 2024

  Click Here for the Booking Page  

Location
Both Focus Groups will take place in the Renfrew Street Building

Got questions?
You can get in touch with Jesse Paul, Head of Fair Access at: j.paul@rcs.ac.uk

Future reminders:
Add these events to your calendar or diaries but you can also check the dates at any time on our online calendar.

Creative Conversations, Get Ready and Ambassadors

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 Recent Events and Activity 

Creative Conversations, Get Ready, and Ambassadors

☀️ As we approach the end of the academic year, we’ve had a busy time across our Fair Access departments.

🎙️ CREATIVE CONVERSATIONS

Panel of people talking to students

Last week we held two Creative Conversations. The first at St Margaret Mary’s Secondary School in Castlemilk. Actors Atta Yaqub and Martin Docherty and BA Musical Theatre student Star Penders spoke to Higher and NC5 pupils about their careers, obstacles and inspirations. Marty Docherty was once a St Margaret Mary’s pupil and is still a local Castlemilk lad.

Group of students sitting on the floor

The second was at Holyrood Secondary in Govanhill, this time with a musical focus. Musicians Michael John McCarthy, Ray Aggs and RCS masters student Dean Garrity talked to a group of pupils about the joys of musical collaboration, taking creative risks and why being in a band is such a good thing!

🎥 Filmmaker Seth Hardwick is making a short film on both events that we hope to share with you all.

🎓 GET READY

Two students doing a presentation

This week, Transitions held the first of two events for students, parents and carers in our Get Ready series.

Get Ready to Apply focused on information around personal statements, UCAS and interview skills. The Transitions team have been working away creating a brand new resource ‘Get Ready to Apply’ which can be accessed on our portal:

🌐 portal.rcs.ac.uk/tstudents

Students doing a presentation

Get Ready to Study, took place last night and we’d like to thank Ken Fairbrother, the RCS SU President and Transitions Alumni, for coming along and telling us more about what support, communities and opportunities there are available at RCS.

A huge thank you also to Gem and Charlotte for sharing their own experiences of being a new student, for giving lots of tips, advice and motivation. It was great to see you all there and please keep in touch and let us know how you are getting on.

⭐️ FAIR ACCESS AMBASSADORS

Lastly, the final meeting for session 2022.23 of our fabulous Fair Access ambassadors and Transitions alumni/student assistants took place this week. A chance to celebrate their amazing year and thank them for everything they’ve done to spread the word about Fair Access in their schools, colleges and communities. We’ve learned so much from them and had a great laugh at the same time! Thank you!

 Get In Touch 

If you would like to find out more about the work that Fair Access do, visit or website at rcs.ac.uk/fair-access, sign up for our newsletter via the website or if you have any questions or queries, email: fairaccesshello@rcs.ac.u

Get Into: Performing and Production Arts

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 Get Into: Performing and Production Arts 

Musical Theatre, Filmmaking, Production, Singing or Guitar

For ages 15+ Starting Autumn 2023

Young woman making stage props and words 'Get Into Performing and Production Arts'

Would you like to Get Into: Musical Theatre, Filmmaking, Guitar, Singing or Production Arts & Technology? Not sure where to begin? Our free ‘Get Into’ courses could be the perfect answer. 

We’re running five separate programmes in these artforms starting Autumn 2023.

These free weekly sessions will be a great opportunity to:

  • Build your confidence
  • Develop your skills in your chosen artform
  • Meet others who love the same thing as you

Bring your energy, enthusiasm and commitment! 

*BOOKING NOW CLOSED*

Please note: Fair Access will prioritise those facing barriers to accessing the arts such as those:

Get in touch and we can check your postcode for you. 

 Get In Touch 

If you have any questions or queries, email: fairaccesshello@rcs.ac.uk

Apply Now to Become a Fair Access Ambassador

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 FAIR ACCESS AMBASSADOR PROGRAMME 

September 2023 through to Summer 2024

⭐️ Applications are now open for our Fair Access Ambassador programme ⭐️

A line of young people standing in a park

Are you passionate about the performing and production arts?  Are you the kind of person who’s happy to talk to other people about this?! Would you like to make new friends with similar interests? Want to develop your skills in communication, organisation and leadership? 

If so, apply to be a Fair Access Ambassador! You’ll work alongside us to shout out about why Fair Access matters and promote opportunities for people to get involved in the arts. 

What our current Ambassadors say… 

‘People were lovely, work was fun and engaging. I was nervous but now I feel totally comfortable with my fellow ambassadors and the work we need to do.’   

‘I now have knowledge about different artforms, teambuilding skills and leadership.’  

‘I feel more confident and feel I’ve never bonded with people faster in my life!’   

What will you do? 

Two young people holding a poster and smiling A young woman holding a postcard to her face Young man standing in front of a company banner with a table of materials
  • Promote Fair Access activity in your school and/or community 
  • Encourage other people to get involved 
  • Support your fellow Ambassadors 
  • Represent the RCS and Fair Access at events. 
  • Develop, and participate in Fair Access campaigns 
  • Attend four Fair Access Ambassador meetings and training sessions over the year  

What do you get in return? 

Young people leading workshop

  • New friends with similar interests 
  • Training for your Ambassador role  
  • Leadership, teamwork and communication skills 
  • Increased confidence 
  • The opportunity to inspire others 
  • Experience that will enhance your CV 
  • Reimbursed travel costs 
  • A lot of fun and plenty of free pizza! 

About you. You’ll be:  

  • Age 16+ by September 2023 
  • A current Transitions student or meet our eligibility criteria (live at an SIMD20 postcode, be care experienced or estranged. Check your postcode here) 
  • Full of enthusiasm for the arts
  • Committed to helping others engage with us
  • Able to travel to RCS for meetings or attend via Zoom 

How to Apply:

Step One – Please fill out the following short application form:

* Applications now closed *

Step Two – Send us a reference once you have submitted your application. This can be from a teacher, tutor, or someone you know who is involved in the arts. Ask your chosen person to complete the following form:

 

* Applications now closed *

Get in Touch

Any questions, get in touch with us on: fairaccesshello@rcs.ac.uk 

We look forward to receiving your application!