Category: News

Fair Access at the Scottish Parliament

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 Universities Scotland Event at the Scottish Parliament 

Featuring RCS, Fair Access and GMAC Partnership

📸 Susannah Lane

The RCS Filmmaking and Fair Access teams represented RCS at Universities Scotland’s Scottish Parliament reception on Tuesday 31 January, where Higher Education institutions showcased their inspiring contributions to the economic transformation of Scotland.

RCS and Fair Access highlighted our partnership with GMAC Film and the way we work together to support people into the film and television industry.

The photograph includes Dayton Mungai, BA Actors student and Fair Access Ambassador, BA Filmmaking graduate Colleen Bell and Kieran Howe, who graduated from the former BA Digital Film and Television programme. They’re joined by members of RCS’s Fair Access team and BA Filmmaking programme, along with Professor Jeffrey Sharkey, RCS Principal, and Shirley-Anne Somerville, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills.

You can read more on the Universities Scotland website.

Announcing: Come and Try Online Festival 2022

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 COME & TRY ONLINE FESTIVAL 

Short Courses, Masterclasses and In Conversations, 5 – 15 April

WACI are delighted to announce that applications for our Come and Try Online Festival are now open! 

Image mixed with photo and graphics and text. Schoolgirl on a stage looking at an ipad.

Whether you’ve already got loads of experience or you want to try something for the first time, the Come and Try Online Festival is a great way to get your creativity flowing, work with experienced artists and meet other young people who are into the same things as you are. 

Taking place from 5 – 15 April, all of the workshops and Q&A sessions will take place on Zoom – and best of all, it’s all free!

 Programme of Events 

In Conversation
These sessions are for everyone:

Making Music on a Budget

Combating Barriers in the Arts

Balancing your Mental Health with your Artform

Short Courses
Open to secondary school-age pupils: 

Let’s Make a Scene

Let’s Make Music

Storytelling for Film 

Masterclasses
Open to secondary school-age pupils: 

Musical Theatre

Costume Design for Theatre

Devising Monologues 

Improvising and Accompanying in Music

Production for TV and Film

Button that takes you to registration formDeadline for booking: 29 March

 

 Priority Places 

Please note that priority places will be given to pupils who are in the West of Scotland that: 

However, the festival is also open to: 

 Contact Us 

If you require any further information or have any questions, get in touch with WACI at: waci@rcs.ac.uk

Holiday Greetings from Fair Access

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

As we have approached the end of the year we wanted to thank all our students for your commitment during such challenging times. We can see how hard all our Transitions and Widening Access to the Creative Industries students have been working and the Fair Access Team are really proud of you all. 

We believe that the performing and production arts have the power to change lives and we’ve seen this first hand through our workshops, outreach, creative projects, performance trips, creative conversations and events. We hope that you all get to spend the time with the people you like the best over the holidays.

Advice and Support

We have also compiled a list of support services offering advice and support for care experienced and estranged young people over the festive period should you need them:

1/ Time to Talk –  A number you can call for confidential support and advice.

www.reesfoundation.org/time-to-talk

2/ Stand Alone Festive Guide – A guide offering ideas of how to cope with common festive frustrations. 

www.standalone.org.uk/guides/festive-guide

3/ Become Charity – Information including Christmas link-Ups and Advice line information.

www.becomecharity.org.uk/for-young-people/care-advice-line/support-at-christmas

Take care everyone and we hope you have lots of fun.

With much love from the Fair Access Team.

Apply Now for the Bachelor of Education (Music) with Honours at RCS

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

Bachelor of Education (Music) with Honours:
Inspiring tomorrow’s teaching
Application deadline: 15 Jan 2021

Teacher with hands raised in demonstration mode, smiling at students. Can see backs of students heads.

The Bachelor of Education (Music) with Honours at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is the only undergraduate programme in Scotland dedicated to teaching the next generation of music teachers within a conservatoire setting. This vocational programme offers musicians an alternative to a performance career – where they can study their passion for music and education for four years at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and then progress to inspire and nurture young people in classrooms.

Why choose RCS?

• Study at one of the world’s top 10 performing arts education institutions (QS World University Rankings 2020)
• Inspire and nurture young people in classrooms
• Guaranteed probationary year of employment (Scottish, UK and EU students)
• Starting salary is approx. £27K
• 100% of graduates are in employment (HESA, 2017/18)
• Gain provisional registration with the General Teaching Council for Scotland
• Have the choice to balance a part-time career in teaching with a freelance career in music

What’s it like being a Music teacher?

RCS Graduate Claire Friary tells us:

Teacher at front of the class with hand gesture towards class.“I graduated from the BEd Music course in 2017. I completed my probation year at Coatbridge High School and I was lucky enough to be kept on after this year and eventually made a permanent member of staff in early 2019. I am now in my 4th year of teaching at Coatbridge High and I absolutely love every single day of my job as a music teacher!

The BEd Music course leaves you well-equipped with all of the necessary tools to become an excellent music teacher. I undertook 5 different placements during my undergraduate degree (1 in primary, 4 in secondary) which gave me a magnitude of experience across schools with all ages and abilities.

Last year, I was appointed the Musical Director of our annual school show. I have also been involved in plenty of whole school initiatives outside of my subject, such as organising the S5/6 Winter Wonderland Ball and supervising in the Pupil Support Base and Learning Zone.

The best part of my job is watching pupils grow and flourish in music. I have witnessed so many young people come through the ranks in my department now and it is so rewarding to see their enthusiasm, determination, and progress over the years.”

Bookings are now closed.

Watch Our Fair Access Expo Live Sessions!

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

The Fair Access Team would like to extend a warm thanks to everyone who virtually attended our recent Fair Access Expo.

It was a bit different this year –  however, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. We’re glad so many of you found it useful. For those who couldn’t make it along on the day, our microsite contains a recording of the live sessions ready to watch back. 

Image of a website in various device screens.

Have you ever wanted to know more about Fair Access at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, including information on the Transitions and WACI Programmes? Are looking for advice in studying or working in the performing arts?

Why not head over to our microsite now to watch back our live sessions:

  • Meet The Teams, Transitions and WACI
  • Industry Interview, with Laura Waddell and Graeme Smilie
  • Student Life, a showcase and Q&A (Content Warning! Swearing)

You can also: 

  • watch pre-recorded videos from students and professionals 
  • hear from the Assistant Principal and Fair Access Manager at RCS
  • watch our Fair Access Virtual Band perform
  • find links to information on UCAS and UCAS Conservatoires, 
  • links to funding information from the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS)
  • direct links to our programme websites

Again, thanks to everyone from all the team!

Visit the Fair Access Expo microsite here:

🌐 rcs.ac.uk/fair-access-expo

Bookings Now Open: Fair Access Expo Online

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

WHEN: Sun 25 October 11am – 3:30pm

WHERE: Online via Zoom (Participants will be sent information via email)

We know how daunting it can be pursuing a career in the creative industries, especially when no one you know has done it before. The Fair Access Expo offers an opportunity for you and your family or carers to receive support and advice about the educational and professional journey you are about to embark on.

  •   Meet the WACI and Transitions teams 
  •   Hear from those in the Creative Industries
  •   Hear from our current students
  •   Get involved in our interactive workshop

If you are a Transitions students or WACI pupil, you with your family, friends or carers are warmly invited to our Fair Access Expo. All members of your household are encouraged to join in!

This is event is free to attend but booking is essential.

——————————————————————————————-

Booking Now Closed

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Booking Deadline: Fri 23 October

If you have any question please feel free to contact us by emailing: WACI@rcs.ac.uk

RCS Covid-19 Virus Information

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

*Update 17 March 2020: 

Following the Prime Minister’s and Scotland’s First Minster’s briefings yesterday, RCS will be closing the campus buildings from 4PM on Friday.

Due to this the Fair Access Expo is being rescheduled to later in the year. No activities based at RCS will be taking place until further notice. In the meantime, we will be arranging online resources for our pupils and will reschedule other activities where possible.

For the latest up to date information on activities within the RCS building please visit the FAQ here: https://www.rcs.ac.uk/coronavirus-faqs

Young Scot have also created a great resource on Coronavirus (COVID-19) to refer to during this time: young.scot/campaigns/national/coronavirus