PUPILS learned about a historical event through the medium of theatre.

Year four pupils at Hawarden Village Church School learned a variety of song and dance routines in order to put on a First World War themed production for parents.

Video and images by Rick Matthews

The project, run by Warwickshire-based charity Arts Insight, ran over two days and included 60 children.

Laura Berridge, founder and creative director of Arts Insight, said: "When we arrived the children and the staff had no idea what we would be learning.

"But we told them that they were not in school - this was a professional production and they were all in the theatre.

"The show is called life in the trenches, a soldier's tale. It has a World War One theme which coincides with the centenary of the end of the War.

"Mostly schools focus on World War Two, so it was nice for them to be able to get some insight about the soldiers and their families and what happened."

Year four teacher Tamzin Watterson said: "We've been lucky to have Arts Insight come to our school to offer a two day workshop with our Year 4 pupils. They were challenged to create a performance in just two days for parents to watch.

"The results were fabulous and a fantastic show was produced. The children thoroughly enjoyed the experience and really rose to the occasion."

Miss Berridge, who led the project alongside Arts Insight musical director Ross Power, said the medium of theatre was also a very effective way for the children to learn about the subject.

She added: "The more opportunities we can give to children to excel from different platforms, the better.

"There have been so many standout children and they have been given some ownership over the production. It has not just been them reading lines - they have written some as well."

Arts Insight provided the activities thanks to a £20,000 grant from the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation - which has enabled the charity to run workshops all over the UK.