Spotlight on Rachel – Harlow and Broxbourne manager

Rachel is busy at Jigsaw Harlow running a Summer school at Passmores Academy this week.  We caught up with her to find out what she has planned!

Who is the summer school for?

We have half day classes for 3-5 year olds and full day sessions for 5-16 year olds. Our classes are suitable for all abilities, so even if you’re a complete beginner and new to performing arts, we’re sure you’ll have a brilliant time!

What sort of activities will you be doing?

Just like our weekend schools, our main focus is Drama, Dance and Singing. Students can expect themed classes in all three disciplines each day.

For our full day students, we will also be doing some workshop style projects that will be running throughout the week, such as “West End Wednesday” and “The Jigsaw Project”. Alongside this, we have some fantastic arts and crafts activities, where we will be looking at costume design, set design and for our little ones, all things “Under the Sea!”

What is your favourite part of the summer school?

I absolutely love seeing all of the students having fun and letting off steam during our summer schools! It’s great to get to know them all even better, see friendships forming, and to see them grow in confidence throughout the week.

However I think this year my favourite part will be being back in the school after such a long break, and seeing old friends reunite and new friends joining our Jigsaw family.

What else is coming up in the future?

Our Autumn term is now open for booking and we have weekend classes in both Broxbourne and Harlow, for children aged 3-18.

We begin back in Broxbourne at Haileybury Turnford School on Saturday 26th September and in Harlow at Passmores Academy on Sunday 27th September.

Did you go to a performing arts school when you were younger?

I was lucky enough to attend both a youth theatre and dance classes when I was younger, and they were some of the happiest times of my childhood! I was a very shy child growing up, and the classes really helped me to develop my confidence and social skills. It led me to go on to study Musical Theatre at the London College of Music, before working professionally in the industry, and I owe a lot to the organisations I was a part of.

What do you think the benefits of the performing arts are?

I would say the benefits of performing arts classes are endless! No child has the same personality as another, but performing arts classes offer them a place to connect over creative ideas. Children can find a sense of confidence, belonging, social interaction and expression at a Jigsaw performing arts class and I truly believe these are all skills that can be taken and used right through to adulthood and beyond!

For more information regarding classes in Harlow and Broxbourne, visit the pages for Jigsaw Harlow and Jigsaw Broxbourne, or call Rachel on 01279 293088.