The Torch Theatre in Milford Haven is a delighted recipient of the Enhancing Pembrokeshire Fund to deliver a term of expressive arts sessions at Milford Haven Community Primary School.

Torch Theatre’s professional team has been working with the school’s year 5 pupils on a playwriting and theatre design project. This exciting creative activity has been created to support the school in the development of young people’s Languages, Literacy and Communication skills.

Playwright Katie Elin Salt and Theatre Designer Ruth Stringer are giving lessons each Tuesday and Thursday afternoon at the school. The students are hoping to create an epic play which combines famous authors with technology. It promises to be filled with dramatic twists as well as spectacular sets and costumes all created by the young people themselves.

One of the pupils undertaking the project said: “I have really enjoyed working with the Torch Theatre this term as the Torch has helped me understand how a play is put together.”

At the end of the 11-week project, the young people will share their hard work in a performance for their friends and family in the Torch’s studio theatre.

Tim Howe, Senior Manager for Youth and Community at the Torch, said: “We know that providing this opportunity for the students and staff will have a meaningful and lasting impact. Not only will our young people improve their literacy skills, but we also hope it will give them aspirations to be part of the creative sector. Who knows? One day they could be writing plays for the Torch Theatre!”

Rhian Johnson, Year Group lead for Year 5 at the school, added: “Working alongside each other we have been able to run a magical thread that joins our Interdisciplinary Learning topic with the skilled professionals’ areas of expertise.”

The funding, part of Pembrokeshire County Council’s regeneration programme, also supports additional free teacher training sessions for teachers. These will take place at the Torch in both the autumn and spring terms, with theatre professionals delivering activity around creative writing, lighting, sound and theatre design.