Schools
Branar is committed to reaching its audience, wherever they are, including in schools. We offer high-quality arts and theatre experiences, shows and workshops, in school settings.
Each year, Branar tours a current production to schools, transforming classrooms and school halls into new worlds. Our tours to schools ensure that Branar’s work has a wide geographic and demographic reach. Each show is accompanied by an educational resource pack designed to support integration of the show into the teachers delivery of the national primary curriculum.
Branar also offers a range of creative arts workshops, and educational resources across it’s Branar sa Scoil, Acorn Digital Arts Flag, and Racáil sa Rang/Rockin’ the Classroom programmes. These workshops are suitable for a range of different ages and class abilities.
For information about in-school performances sign up to the Branar schools mailing list here and watch out for information on the shows page of our website and on our social media pages.
For information about our creative arts workshops and other educational resources read on below.
Acorn Digital Arts Flag
Branar’s Acorn Digital Arts Flag is a whole school initiative designed to promote and reward arts engagement in schools. Branar is proud to be partnering with Acorn Life Group to make this happen each year.
The next round of the Acorn Digital Arts Flag will open Autumn 2025. Follow us on social media or subscribe to our mailing list here to keep up to date.
The Acorn Digital Arts Flag programme includes:
· A series of 6 arts workshops in video format that teachers and pupils can do in the classroom (there is a version for junior classrooms and one for senior classrooms)
· Suggestions for extending the workshop activities in the classroom
· Documentation to support engagement with the workshops and to build on them afterward in the classroom
Completion of the Acorn Digital Arts Flag is intended to be a statement of achievement and intent with regard to the prominence and status of the arts in the school. It will be a visible beacon that indicates a commitment to the importance of participation in the arts for the students of the school, both within and outside their classrooms. Further details about what’s involved are below.
There is no cost to schools to participate. To apply please complete and submit the form at this link https://form.jotform.com/231153125616346
The Acorn Digital Arts Flag – What’s involved?
Teachers along with their pupils can choose to do one or more of the six workshops with their class:
· Explore music with Miquel Barceló
· Explore visual art with Maeve Clancy
· Explore drama with Catherine Sheridan
· Explore creative map making with Marc Mac Lochlainn
· Explore making shoe box worlds with Sorcha Ní Chróinín
· Explore paper puppets with Marc Mac Lochlainn (as Gaeilge)
Teachers should allow 45-60 minutes for each workshop.
Once each workshop is complete teachers are encouraged to extend the activity in later classes building on what they have learned. Suggested extension activities are given at the end of each video as well as in the supporting documentation.
Steps to attain the Acorn Digital Arts Flag
To attain the Acorn Digital Arts Flag each classroom in the school performs the following four steps:
1. Completes at least one workshop
2. Engages in an extension activity after the workshop
3. Exhibits/presents what they’ve created in their school classrooms, corridors or hall, sharing their work with the whole school community
4. Takes photographs of the exhibition/presentation, and writes a short description of the activities, and sends both to Branar
Branar then reviews the photographs and written documentation. Participating schools are presented with a certificate and Acorn Digital Arts Flag logos and stickers for their online platforms (social media and website) and school doors.
What's in it for Schools
- Lots of opportunity for supported creative arts learning
- Attainment of the Acorn Digital Arts Flag, an acknowledgement of the school’s creative endeavours which can be shared with the school community.
Apply for participation in Branar's Acorn Digital Arts Flag
To apply please complete and submit the form at this link https://form.jotform.com/231153125616346
Branar sa Scoil
Branar sa Scoil is a dynamic arts engagement programme designed to enhance children's learning and engagement with the arts through tailored support for the delivery of the arts curriculum.
Each year, Branar collaborates closely with participating schools to provide an immersive arts experience, customized to meet the unique needs of each school. The programme features a mix of in-person workshops with professional artists, digital arts resources, and live performances, creating a rich and varied arts experience for students and teachers alike.
Branar sa Scoil aims to boost teacher confidence in delivering the arts curriculum, enhance children’s arts learning and foster deeper engagement with the arts in schools.
Originally commissioned by Galway Culture Company in 2023, Branar sa Scoil is supported by funding from Galway City Council for 2024/2025.
Racáil sa Rang
Racáil sa Rang is a project which brings the music of Branar’s show Rockin’ Rhymes to life in classrooms across the country. We have added lively music and original beats to some of the best loved nursery rhymes performed by a brilliant 5-piece band.
We have added a new spin to some of the tunes and the words but not to worry you’ll recognise them.
Racáil sa Rang offers children and teachers the opportunity to enjoy and explore the songs, discover the world of music and learn about music-making. The project hopes to inspire children to create their own rock music and other creative projects inspired by this album.
Branar Drámaíóchta CGl is the sole rights owner of this music. Racáil sa Rang is commissioned by An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta & Gaelscolaíochta.
Rácail sa Rang can be accessed free of charge below.
Rockin’ the Classroom
Let’s Rock
In the absence of the opportunity for school children to experience live performances Branar, The Linenhall Arts Centre and The Lime Tree Theatre joined forces to deliver an exciting new music project for children in Junior & Senior Infants, 1st & 2nd Class. Rockin’ the Classroom is a multiplatform initiative that brings the music from Branar’s show Rockin’ Rhymes into classes.
Each class will recieve:
CD album
Dedicated education pack for teachers
Exclusive access to Rockin’ the Classroom videos
A Rockin’ Rhymes Poster
How to Rock
Rockin’ the Classroom offers children and teachers the opportunity to enjoy and explore the songs, discover the world of music and learn about music-making. The project hopes to inspire children to create their own rocking rhymes.
Thanks to the kind support of The Linenhall Arts Centre, The Lime Tree Theatre, Galway City Arts Office, Galway County Arts Office and the Arts Council of Ireland, each class pack is made available for free however payment of €7.50 per pack is required for P&P.We recommend one pack per class. Delivery time on orders is up to 7 working days.
