TIE successfully deployed in Southend

Year six children at Puffin Road Primary School about to take their cycling proficiency test are thwarted by the dastardly plans of headteacher Meanie Cooper. Meanie - who failed her own cycling test at school - is determined to cancel the test by getting site manager Norris Minor to take down all signs and crossings in the area. Overhearing her evil plan, RSO Alfie Cross transforms into his alter ego Elvis Crossafely to rescue the day.

This is the backdrop to a drama presentation that has recently been touring Primary Schools in Shoeburyness and Southend. The play, written and performed by A-Level Drama students from Shoeburyness High School, is a joint initiative between the school and Southend Borough Council's Road Safety Team. The play, ‘Immobile 4’, is the fourth in a series of annual presentations involving drama students in the Borough that began in 2000.

During week commencing 15 December a new production, ‘Immobile 5’, toured the Leigh-on-Sea part of the Borough. Immobile 5 focuses on mobile phone use and is written and produced by students from Westcliff High School for Girls, who toured in two separate groups.

"Drama can relay road safety messages in a fun and memorable way," says Southend's RSO, Keith Gammon. "The enthusiasm that the students from Shoeburyness and Westcliff High Schools have shown certainly made an impression. We in road safety are very proud of these students and their teachers."

The students performing the play also have an incentive as their hard work counts towards their A-Level Drama coursework.

For further information contact Keith Gammon, Keithgammon@southend.gov.uk