Visit by Springboard East

Class 4 had a visit from The Springboard East Theatre Company.

During their introduction they discussed how the country is governed by today's present Government and asked the children why they thought less people are voting now than a few years ago.

Springboard East performed a play that took the children back to a time when there was no democracy; a lawless and unmanaged society. 

Together we all travelled in a time machine to the Tudor times when during the reign of Henry VIII a Protestant government was formed that disallowed the views and membership of Catholics. Later, during the time of the Civil War, King Charles and Cromwell battled to readdress the balance of power between Parliament and the Monarchy.

We found out that many people died attempting to gain the vote so for many years a select few made life-changing decisions for a nation.

Travelling forward to 1847 we noted that active Victorians made a huge difference to working conditions and the treatment of children. This was a time when children worked up chimneys, in mines and in mills. Lord Shaftbury campaigned for and put forward laws to change this.

As a class we were then catapulted to 1910. Women were being arrested and jailed for their determined protests and hunger strikes. In 1918 women over the age of 30 could vote - men over 21! By 1928 both men and women could vote when they reach 21 years of age.

Finally we took a trip to Westminster when our very first female Prime Minister was elected.

The concluding part of the play showed us just how many people worked and died to gain the vote. 

We went on to take part in a workshop about the Suffragettes (votes for women).

Class 4 were astounded to find out that some women that went on hunger strike were painfully force-fed to avoid negative publicity for the government of that time .

During the workshop we worked on posters that explored slogans - which persuaded the reader to follow their cause.

We worked well in teams to create eye -catching, colourful and inspirational poster, then discussed which posters got the point across best.

Lastly we took part in a vote, arguing for our own view point.

   We all agreed that we will think twice before we waste our vote!