A very special event took place in Godolphin’s Performing Arts Centre on Tuesday. ‘School Daze’, a show conceived and directed by David Hallen, with musical director Olivia Sparkhall, was performed by a cast of children from Godolphin, Whiteparish All Saints Primary and Exeter House Special School.

This collaboration enabled the children to combine communication by Makaton with the spoken word and song, to create a musical-in-a-day. The children had a fantastic time and thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience.

Olivia Sparkhall, Head of Outreach, who coordinated the event said, ‘It was a tremendous privilege to be able to welcome the whole of Year Four from Whiteparish as well as a group from Exeter House. The children from Exeter House might have had an array of complex needs but that did not stop them from giving an astoundingly impressive performance, demonstrating how well they had focused during the rehearsal process. The Whiteparish children were absolutely brilliant; singing and acting with a maturity way beyond their years, and making the most of the whole experience. I was incredibly proud of the entire cast.’ ‘School Daze’ was part of a variety of events held at Godolphin during Arts’ Week, a celebration of the creative and performing arts.

Head Emma Hattersley also commented on the day ‘ I was frankly overwhelmed by the whole event. Our students were enthusiastic and extremely caring towards our visitors and it was a thoroughly worthwhile day for all involved. It reinforces for me how important music is in terms of communicating, connecting and bring people together regardless of their individual circumstances.’