Fire service praised for schools theatre programme
Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service has played a big part in the act when it comes to tackling the issue of arson in schools.
So much so, that Zurich Municipal the UK’s leading education insurer and risk management provider, has identified the work carried out by WFRS, Warwickshire County Council’s Arts Zone and Playbox Theatre as best practice and best value. They are now going to use the work carried out in Warwickshire Schools as a Case Study for national training days throughout the UK.
The Arson Combated Together programme, Theatre in Education was run in schools across Warwickshire in October 2005. Feedback from the programme has been extremely positive and figures for Warwickshire show that the tool kit has had a positive influence with a 3% decrease in arson figures between 05/06 and 04/05.
County Fire Officer, William Brown said:
“We are delighted to be cited as an example of best practice. The scheme was received really well and working in partnership with both the schools and Playbox Theatre ensured that the project was a real success.
“Arson in schools is a serious problem, and we will continue to develop the work we do through the schools programme and projects such as Arson Combated Together to drive the message that arson is dangerous and it not only affects the school, but also the students which attend it.”
The theatre education performances, which highlighted the danger and risk of arson attacks to young people were performed and created by year 12 pupils from Lawrence Sheriff and Rugby High School.