Road Safety Theatre in Education

Sheffield City Council Road Safety has arranged again for a road safety play called Legal Weapon to tour a number of Secondary Schools in Sheffield. This will be the fourth time that the production, by the APE Theatre Company  has been brought to Sheffield schools. Legal Weapon is aimed at 16-year old pupils and confronts the issues of excessive speed, peer pressure and attitudes amongst young drivers.

 

 

In October 2007 over 2 weeks  the play was staged at Wisewood, Tapton, Hinde House, Firth Park, Westfield, Sheffield Park Academy, High Storrs, Silverdale, King Ecgbert, Chaucer, Birley, Parkwood, Sheffield Springs Academy and Stocksbridge secondary schools. It was seen by approximately 3000 year 11 students.

 

 

The play tells the story of sixth-former Andy, who spends an inheritance on a sports car only to end up behind bars after killing a moped rider in a high-speed crash.

 

 

It shows young people that they need to combine newly acquired skills with a safe, responsible attitude towards driving if they are not to put themselves and other vulnerable road users at risk. This drama combined with other educational initiatives, emphasizes the fact that driving skills alone are not enough to keep young drivers out of danger. The play was followed by a workshop held by the actors to reinforce the message.

 

 

The feedback from the schools on previous visits has been extremely positive, a typical quote from a Head of Year was " If at all possible, this type of learning experience should be given to each Year 11 group as they come through school. It had such an impact and I'm sure will make a difference out on the roads in the real world "

 

 

Young people can be a difficult section of society to reach with road safety information and the play has proved to be an effective way to do this. Road Safety Education Training and Publicity are currently looking at dates for a fifth return of Legal Weapon for 2008 and at other theatre in education projects that highlight other aspects of road safety.