Drama students from six Lancashire schools have battled it out in the finals of a competition aimed at delivering vital road safety messages.
Secondary schools from Preston, South Ribble and Longridge created their own hard-hitting productions to bring to life issues relevant to young drivers and passengers.
The Beats is a multi-agency drama-based education programme, offered to schools by Lancashire County Council’s Safer Travel Team.
With support from the UpFront Theatre Company, GCSE drama students researched, developed and performed their own 15-minute piece to year assemblies, parents’ evenings and open evenings within their school.
They entered a competition to find the most memorable and creative production, with the finalists invited to perform at the Charter Theatre in Preston on Tuesday 10 March to find a winner.
A group shot of the winners of The Beats from Longridge High School
This year’s performances were judged by representatives from Lancashire Constabulary, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, Lancashire County Council and the UpFront Theatre Company. Two young people from Wennington Hall School, Lancaster, who were finalists in the Northern Beat drama competition last year, were also on the panel.
Longridge High School won top honours with an engaging piece about the life-changing consequences of behaviours resulting in fatalities and serious injuries, presented through the memories of a grandmother.
County Councillor John Fillis, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “I’d like to congratulate everyone who has taken part in this event, and particularly Longridge High School for their winning performance.
“All the students have shown a clear sense of community responsibility for themselves and others, and their creativity has and will help others to stay safe on the roads.
“Every one of the actors gave great performances with pace, humour, creativity and impact.
“They left the audience and the judges with very clear messages about the key road safety issues which affect young people and the wider community.”
Hutton Church of England Grammar School and Sixth Form were awarded second place and Broughton High School came third.
Also competing in the finals were:
Ashton Community Science College, Preston
Moor Park High School and Sixth Form, Preston
Worden Academy, Preston
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