Category: Widening Access

Come and Try: CLPL Sessions for Teachers

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 Come and Try: 

 CLPL Sessions for Teachers 

Wednesday Evenings in May 2024

Two people discussing a script onset A conductor practicing his score with an ensemble Dancer in a studio practicing

WACI are delighted to be offering three new Career-Long Professional Learning (CLPL) sessions for secondary teachers this coming May:

All sessions are free and take place at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Aimed primarily at secondary teachers who work in schools with large catchments of SIMD1 areas, you can find out more and sign up by clicking the links above. 

 Contact Us 

If you have any questions about these activities, please email: waci@rcs.ac.uk

Introduction to Animation

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 Introduction to Animation 

Mondays Evenings in February – May
5pm – 6:30pm

Young adult wearing pop art shirt with bobbed hair

Where: Online  Cost: Free
Dates: 26 Feb, 4, 18, 25 March, 22, 29 April, 6 May

Do you live in the East of Scotland and would you like to learn about the art of animation, explore various digital creative tools and create your own animation project? Join our engaging animation and storytelling workshop series. It is perfect for beginners and is free to attend.

Throughout the course of three months, you will be able to develop your own stories and animations through a series of workshops. Workshops will cover different aspects of animation, such as:

  • storytelling
  • creating animated comics
  • developing characters
  • production

We will also cover the following for animation and film:

  • music
  • sound effects
  • voice-overs

Exploring a range of techniques and tools, this course will be a great opportunity to explore your creativity through an understanding of the animation process.

Please note: WACI works with those facing barriers in accessing the arts, such as those:

This project will also prioritise those living in the East of Scotland.

Contact us: If you have any questions or queries, get in touch with the team at waci@rcs.ac.uk

Performance Trip: Inter/Sections

Posted on by Ellen McNeill

 Performance Trip: Inter/Sections at RCS 

Wednesday 13 March, 7pm – 9pm

RCS, 100 Renfrew St, Glasgow G2 3DB

Join us at RCS to watch the multi-artform production of Inter/Sections. This production is a fantastic opportunity to experience an array of different artistic practices.

Words: Performance Trip Intersections. Two dancers on a darkened stage with string running through their fingers

Not only does Inter/Sections promise to feature great performances but is also a celebration of the many Fair Access alumni involved. Come along for a preview of what some of our previous Fair Access students are doing now as this show brings together RCS students in Music, Music Composition, 3rd year students in Contemporary Performance Practice and Production Technology and Management programmes. 

Click on the button to apply for free tickets via our form.

Deadline: 6 March, 12 noon

Please note: Fair Access works with young people facing barriers in accessing the arts, such as those who are:

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

Contact Us

You can contact the team at fairaccesshello@rcs.ac.uk

Production Interview Prep

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 Production Interview Prep 

21 & 23 November 2023

A table of young people painting squares

If you’re interested in applying to study Production Arts or Technology at a college, university or conservative, join us for our Production Interview Prep Sessions. These sessions will be a great opportunity for you to:

  • receive tips on interviewing
  • learn more about the interview experience
  • build your confidence
  • learn more about studying Production Arts or Technology
When: 21 and 23 November, 5pm-7pm
Where: Online

Booking Deadline: Fri 10 Nov, 12noon

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

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

 Contact Us 

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

Bachelor of Education (Music) Interview Prep

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 Bachelor of Education (Music) 

 Interview Prep 

15 & 22 November 2023

Young woman pointing at a music score

If you’re in the process, or thinking about applying to study music teaching at a college, university or conservatoire, join us for our BEd Interview Prep workshops.

Our BEd Interview Prep Sessions will be a great opportunity for you to:

  • Receive tips on interviewing
  • Learn more about the interview experience
  • Build your confidence
  • Learn more about studying BEd Music

Participants will require access to a keyboard for the sessions. Please do let us know if this will not be possible, and we will look into ways of supporting you in being able to access a keyboard or piano. 

When: 15 & 22 November, 5 – 7pm
Where: Online

Booking Deadline: Fri 10 Nov, 12noon

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

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

 Contact Us 

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

Come and Try: CLPL Prop Making Workshop

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 Come and Try: 

 CLPL Prop-Making Workshop 

Wednesday 27 September, 4 – 6pm

A range of large and small stage props on display

Do you teach Prop or 3D Model Making for N5/Higher Drama or N5/Higher Art and Design? Then our CLPL Prop Making Workshop is for you.

This workshop will be a great chance to:

  • Develop your skills in designing and creating props 
  • Get to know the most useful and sustainable materials to have in your store cupboard 
  • Share ideas with other teachers
  • Be inspired and develop new ways of working

When: 27 September, 4-6pm
Where: RCS, Wallace Studios, Garscube Rd, G2 3DB
Who is it for: Teachers of Drama and/or Art & Design

 BOOK YOUR PLACE HERE ON OUR FORM 

This workshop will be led by Merlin Currie, Props Tutor at RCS and is in partnership with Glasgow CREATE.

‘It’s so enjoyable to learn practical, hands-on exercises I can run with pupils and to get lots of time for questions!’

‘The most useful thing was hearing from someone so knowledgeable and passionate.  Being able to hear from a professional how it’s done.’

 Contact Us 

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

 BOOKINGS ARE 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

Focus on Applications: Music

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 Focus on Applications for Music 

Tuesday 29 & Thursday 31 August

Young woman playing the trombone on stage

Want to discover more about applying to and studying music? Then our Focus on Applications for Music sessions are for you.

These two free sessions will be a great chance to:

  • Learn about studying music at a college, university or conservatoire
  • 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: 29 & 31 August, 5-7pm
Where: Online (via Zoom)
Who is it for: Eligible S5 and S6 pupils who are looking to apply to study music in further or higher education

 BOOK YOUR PLACE HERE ON OUR FORM 

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

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

Performance Making Taster Workshops

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 PERFORMANCE MAKING WORKSHOPS 

at the Traverse in Edinburgh and RCS in Glasgow

Two young people standingwith their back to each other, touching with a foot

In partnership with Dr Vania Gala, Head of the new Performance Making BA, Fair Access has been running taster workshops at the Traverse Theatre and at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. 

At both venues, we had a brilliant turnout of creative people, willing to move, collaborate and explore new ways of working together:


‘I loved being creative, moving and the energy in the room’ 


 ‘It felt so good to move’ 


 ‘I enjoyed the positive way we connected to each other and to our own bodies, and thinking about movement in a different way…I had a lot of fun!’ 


 ‘Learning that there are resources out there that encourage new theatre being created was so useful’ 


 Our session at RCS was run in partnership with Scottish Youth Theatre and Creative Director Rikki Payne brought a group of young artists from Dunoon to take part and also couldn’t resist joining in himself! The session was co-led by Lucy Cash who teaches on the new degree programme.