How can you get through to teachers??

[Beetrootccio]

I want to set up a Shakespeare festival with all the local schools - and I cannot even get through to the teachers to talk to them about it. I am blocked every which way

They all sound so suspicious - pissing me off

[beckybrastraps]

Do you mean you can't get past reception - or that the teachers aren't interested?

[Beetrootccio]

can't get past reception. They won't even listen.

[shouldbedoingsomethingelse]

write or email them and request a time to come into discuss it with them.

[Beetrootccio]

i guess I should but I suspect they just ignore emails as well thinking it is someone trying to flog them something

[Littlefish]

Have you got the names of the teachers? Would it work if you wrote to them by name? In a busy school, envelopes with names on may be just put in the relevant teacher's pigeon hole, so at least the information will get to them.

Alternatively, find out from the LEA whether there is a "cluster" group of teachers for the English/Drama departments who meet. Perhaps you could try and arrange to talk to them all together.

[bundle]

we had this with trying to get dd1 recorder lessons at school, after the term had started so we thought we'd missed the boat. we wrote a letter addressed to the teacher and she never replied. i was told she wasn't in by the reception (so thought she was sick)

day after, dh spotted her and spent 10 minutes chatting to her about mutual musical friends and hey presto..recorder lessons no problemo

i think teachers have so much on their plates these days, they've erected reception baracades to cut people off at the pass..

[beckybrastraps]

I was quite difficult to get hold of when I was working because there was no phone in my lab.

Write directly to HoD perhaps?

[worzella]

You could start by mailshotting the heads of english and/or drama - you won't need their names just

The Head of English
Anywhere School

We're really hard to get hold of on the phone as we're either teaching or trying to bolt down lunch whilst helping someonw with homework!

BTW the tread title sounds like you are angry with a particular teacher who won't listen to you - so I'm not sure if you'll get the responses your looking for on it!!( Hope that makes sense!)

[Blandmum]

It is very difficult to contact me, for the same reason as Becy gives, I don't have a phone in my lab and cannot leave the kids to take a call.

I would write directly to the HOD, by name is you know it.

[bundle]

our school has a weekly meeting of all staff...you could ask whoever takes the minutes to shove it on the agenda..with a short explanatory note from you, that way I expect someone would be assigned to reply/meet with you

[chocolateshoes]

Put it in writing and send to Heads of Faculty. If its on paper it'll get into their trays and they'll read it at lunch. Teachers have very little time when they can get to a phone.

[ellceeell]

What about approaching the local authority adviser for drama / literacy - if there is one in your area

[mammaduck]

They might already be doing this of course...

Are you dealing with primary, secondary or a mixture?

I would ring up and ask specifically for Head of Drama's name - then you can mailshot directly. Obviously for primary schools you need to ask for the teacher in charge of extra-curricular Drama.

If teachers sound suspicious it's probably just because they are all really busy and unless you are planning on the festival being a long time in the future then I think you're on a hiding to nothing.

Presumably you have some experience of drama in schools? Have you got venues sorted? I find that if schools have the opportunity to showcase work in a professional theatre that's a really big hook. Just an idea...

Good luck! I know how hard it is - I used to manage a Drama cluster in Slough and arranging stuff was often the devil's own job, but it was always worth it in the end!

[Beetrootccio]

thanks for replies - I have emiled them now - think I will emial head of English as well!

mammaduck - I was involved in that - this is a different type of festival and the venue is already sorted.

[Beetrootccio]

worzila - I know - on purposr !!!

[mammaduck]

That's good!

Best of Beetrootccio!

[julienetmum]

Beetroot, you aren't on the TES forum are you. SOmeone has posted about a similar idea. (If youarn't why don't you go on the drama forum and ask the ones on there how is best to get in touch)

I get a good response by email but I do email the secretary not individual teachers.

Make it sound like if they don't get their act together quickly they will miss out, limite places and all that.