FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here are the answers to some Frequently Asked Questions by Schools.  Please feel free to Contact Us if you have further questions or queries concerning this or other, non schools based work, such as Commissions, Training, Workshop and Conference work



HOW LONG SHOULD I ALLOW FOR SESSIONS?

Most ADAD sessions run for 2 HOURS in mainstream environments.   In general, we will provide ONE session in PRIMARY / SPECIAL or PRU environments and TWO sessions in SECONDARY environments.

With more specialised groups (PRU’s, SEN, LSC’s. YOI’s, YOT groups etc.), sessions are generally scheduled for 1hr. 30mins. with the option to extend the session if participants are responding well.  Similarly, sessions will not be ‘dragged out’ if participants are growing restless or disruptive. 

In order to allow flexibility for ADAD to deliver two sessions on any given day in PRIMARY / SPECIAL or PRU environments, we ask that morning sessions are booked within the 9am to 11.30am ‘window’ and the afternoon sessions booked within the 1.00pm to 3.30pm ‘window’. 

In secondary environments, we encourage schools to receive TWO sessions ON THE SAME DAY.  ADAD is happy to work with you to run sessions that will cause least disruption to normal time-tabling.  Many schools now like to book sessions during periods 1&2 and 3&4, finishing by lunchtime, although we are happy to discuss other timings. 



WHAT AGE-GROUP SHOULD I BOOK SESSIONS FOR?

Each of ADAD’s programmes have been designed to work with specific age-groups, in order to maximise their impact on young people’s attitudes and behaviour during their development.  We also use key social reference points, language and life-stage scenarios that are often inappropriate for other age-groups.

For more specialist groups (SEN), we will discuss with you the most appropriate age-groups to receive individual programmes. 

As a general guide:   

• Wasted – Drugs Education :– Years 6 to 8 (possibly years 5 and 9 on consultation with us)  
  
  
• Behind Closed Doors – Relationships Education :– Year 9 upwards
  
  
• The Morning After – Teenage Pregnancy & Sexual Health :– Year 9 upwards
  
  
• Crossing The Line – Anti-social Behaviour and Offensive Weapons :– Year 8 upwards
  
  
• Facing Up – Considering the Human Consequences of Offending :– Year 9 upwards
  
  
• Moving On Up – Managing Transition and Bullying :– Years 6 and 7
  
  
• Inside Out – Stress & Depression :– Year 9 upwards

HOW MANY CAN PARTICIPATE IN SESSIONS?

All of ADAD’s programmes  are designed to be highly participatory experiences for young people.  As a general rule of thumb, the smaller the groups, the more intensively we can work with individuals.  This is particularly pertinent within specialist learning environments.  However, within mainstream environments, this becomes harder as issues of cost need to be considered.

Consequently, we recommend groups of up to 25 within specialist environments, groups of 40-60 within mainstream environments.  However, we recognise that in some instances groups have to be bigger (larger groups are often necessary to accommodate a secondary year-group in two sessions) but groups exceeding 100 young people begin to seriously compromise the impact and effectiveness of sessions. 



WHAT SORT OF SPACE WILL YOU NEED TO WORK IN?

ADAD does not require the use of stages, staging or lighting rigs. In most circumstances, it is preferred to undertake sessions on the floor. The major factor to consider when setting out the performance space is to ensure the best possible visibility for all those taking part (this is of particular relevance when working with larger groups). Benches, mats and/or chairs can be used to accommodate the audience.

We recommend that the performance space: the room / hall being used, is set out according to the diagram below (although not shown, it would help for seating rows to be 'arced' gently around the performance area). Whilst the size of performance area indicated is preferred, we can easily adapt to more limited spaces.

 

Ideally, the space used will be one that is unlikely to be substantially affected by noise or interruption (not an area next to loud activities, or used as a thoroughfare etc.)

Generally a hall is the preferred venue for sessions.  If his proves problematic, sessions can be run in a sufficiently large drama studio, lecture/theatre space (although raked seating is not ideal) or a gym (although acoustically these are often problematic). 

DO WE NEED TO STICK TO THE AGREED SESSION TIMES?

If you have booked a single session, we generally cannot be flexible on session times, once booked.  ADAD runs to a very tight schedule and has to provide for travelling times between host venues.  As such, we reserve the right to shorten sessions that start late (although we will avoid doing so if at all possible). 

For larger schools who book two or more sessions on any given day, we can vary session times, provided sessions are not shortened below 1hr. 30mins. and there is at least a 15 minute break between sessions.  It is always appreciated if you can give us as much notice prior to changing session times – especially if this is likely to impact on our arrival time.

DO OUR STAFF NEED TO ATTEND SESSIONS?

In short, YES!  We require a minimum of 1 staff member per 30 students to attend sessions AT ALL TIMES.   ADAD reserves the right to suspend or abandon sessions, should no school staff be present.  In these cases, our staff are instructed to leave the space themselves. 

We insist on your staff presence in order to comply with Child Protection and Health & Safety guidelines.  A copy of ADAD’s Child Protection and Confidentiality Policy can be made available on request.

We also would appreciate being informed of your schools’ policy and procedure in the event of child illness or injury (who is responsible for first aid etc.) upon our arrival. 

Clearly, it would be VERY beneficial for any staff who will be involved in running follow-up sessions to attend sessions, or at least, to be fully briefed as to what took place and any issues that arose. 

DO YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ANY SPECIFIC OR SPECIAL NEEDS?

Again, in short, YES!  The more information we can get on specific groups, their needs, abilities, backgrounds and particular issues that may be of relevance, the more we are able to tailor sessions to these needs.  Even if this has been discussed with us prior to the BOOKING DATE, please speak to our Tour Manager on the day during their initial liaison. 

CAN WE FILM/RECORD SESSIONS AND/OR COPY YOUR RESOURCES?

In short, NO!   All of ADAD’s programmes are subject to copyright.  As such, the audio or video recording of sessions (all or part thereof) is strictly forbidden, without our prior and explicit consent.  We are happy, however, for still photographs to be taken of sessions (subject to the accepted guidelines on the photography of children within schools). 

Increasingly, the Teachers’ Resource to accompany programmes will be e-mailed to you.  As such, we implicitly give permission for one or two copies to be printed, on the condition that these will be solely used within your school.  Additionally, within these resources, specific permission is also given to copy certain pages/sections for use and distribution within follow-up work. 

These permissions DO NOT, however grant or imply any permission to copy, reproduce or distribute any aspect of either the sessions proper or their supporting materials, other than those specifically stated above. 

DO YOU REQUIRE OTHER FACILITIES OTHER THAN A SPACE TO RUN SESSIONS?

Ideally, YES!. Wherever possible, it is requested that ADAD staff have access to the performance space as soon as possible after arrival. We aim to arrive 45 minutes prior to the start of sessions.  Where immediate access to the space is not possible, it would be greatly appreciated if we could have access to somewhere to wait (staff rooms etc.).

ADAD programmes are highly physical, and as such, it is hot and thirsty work.  Our staff often have an insatiable appetite for hot and cold beverages, so these are always greatly appreciated.  Throw in a biscuit or two (or better still, more substantial sources of sustenance) and you are likely to witness public displays of gratitude that may well embarrass.

WHAT IF I AM NOT HAPPY WITH YOUR VISIT TO US?

ADAD takes every care to ensure that sessions are delivered to the highest possible quality and that our staff conduct themselves to the highest levels of professionalism.  If for any reason, you feel this was not the case during our time with you, please make this known to us (preferably in writing – addressed to Neill Kirkham – Theatre ADAD – 17 Cavendish Road, St. Albans, Herts. AL1 5EF or via e-mail to admin@theatreadad.com

On receipt of any complaint, we shall investigate the matter thoroughly and seek to resolve matters amicably, and take any disciplinary action we deem to be appropriate.   

WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO FEED BACK ON YOUR VISIT?

In short YES!   We hope that our visit proved a useful and effective exercise and didn’t give you any grounds for complaint.  However, your feedback is vital to us.   Constructive criticism often helps us to refine programmes and to ensure they remain hard-hitting and effective educational tools, whilst positive feedback is often invaluable in presenting to existing or prospective funding partners, in our on-going quest to secure subsidy funding. 

Our staff will leave with you a short questionnaire (for staff and/or pupils to complete) and we would be extremely grateful if you could complete and return these to us. 

As an aid to assessing the perception of ADAD’s work, we have logged all feedback comments made to us, relating to each programme.  These are available from us, upon request. 

IS ANYONE OTHER THAN MEMBERS OF ADAD LIEKLY TO ATTEND A SESSION?

From time to time, ADAD invites visitors to attend school-based sessions. This provides those who are interested in the company's work with an ideal opportunity to assess how programmes impact on groups of young people. Should a visitor wish to view a session at your school, we will contact you to gain your permission for them to attend beforehand.  If you are happy for them to attend, we would then take on all responsibility for entertaining that guest.  However, we do fully appreciate any schools’ decision to withdraw their permission for additional guests to attend. 

WHY DO YOU CHARGE A CANCELLATION FEE?

ADAD is not a centrally funded company.  As such, it relies exclusively on fee-income to survive.  Similarly, the staff employed to deliver programmes, are only engaged (and paid) for the sessions that take place. 

We make every effort to adopt a clear bookings procedure and based on the bookings we believe to be in existence and firm, we make undertakings to our staff.  Additionally, in readiness to deliver sessions (and during the course of securing these bookings and – if applicable – the funding packages to support these) we incur a wide variety of non-recoverable costs.

Consequently, in the event of a cancellation, ADAD has already made commitments to its staff, AND has incurred non-recoverable associated costs.  Consequently, cancellation fees are charged to cover these ‘sunk’ costs and to compensate for the loss of vital fee income, necessary for the survival of the company.  

However, where cancellations result from factors beyond the reasonable control of all parties (adverse weather, accident, illness, bereavement, etc.), we will strive to reduce the cancellation fee charged to the minimum level possible, if not waive it altogether.