There was a wealth of creative talent on display at Mansfield’s Old Library Arts Centre on Wednesday (May 20) as young learners at R.E.A.L. Education staged their annual showcase.
More than 100 parents and family members, staff and local commissioners enjoyed an eclectic display of dance and music performances by young learners at REAL’s Creative Arts Alternative Provision, based at the arts centre.
Creative Arts Provision Manager James Mills, who led the team organising the event, said the showcase was as much about celebrating learners’ individual journeys as it was about enjoying the displays and performances. He said:
“At its heart, this showcase is a celebration of community. It acknowledges not only the learners, but also the families, commissioners, and dedicated staff who have supported them every step of the way. Together, they have created a safe, nurturing environment where our young people can learn to rebuild trust, take risks and express themselves through the creative arts.”
Invited guests were also able to enjoy a display featuring art & design and fashion & textiles created by the young learners and overseen by R.E.A.L.’s Creative Arts Tutor Gail Smyth.
The showcase was supported by a team from REAL’s Catering and Hospitality provision, who provide a delicious finger buffet, refreshments and cakes. Serving up the treats behind the counter were Catering Provision Manager Marie Harrower; Catering Group Tutor Dawn Johnson supported by two catering students.
In total, there were 13 acts to enjoy during the lunchtime showcase, with tutors playing a supporting – and occasionally leading – role. Among the young learners taking part was rapper Theo, 16, who attends the centre every Monday. He hopes to go on to study music production at Hillsborough College in Sheffield once he finishes mainstream school later this year.
Theo said the showcase was the first time that he’d performed his rap, called I Feel Like, in such a setting.
“It’s been amazing coming here every Monday. The tutors are really supportive and have brought me out of my shell.”
Also on the bill was guitarist Christian, 16, who is studying music performance and hopes to go on to Confetti College in Nottingham to study music performance after leaving school in July. Confetti College, part of Nottingham Trent University, is one of the UK’s leading specialist education providers for the creative and entertainment industry.
Chris, who performed Nirvana’s Heart-Shaped Box said attending R.E.A.L.’s Alternative Provision twice a week has helped give him direction by finding something that he wants to do.
“I wasn’t into music before coming here but now I really enjoy it. I first tried to learn the piano then switched to acoustic guitar and then electric. When I first picked up a guitar I didn’t have one at home so the only time I could learn to play was by coming here.
“Before, music felt out of reach but thanks to this establishment I now feel it’s well within reach.”
Delighting the audience with their dance display was a troupe of young learners including Gracie, Autumn, Millie and Harlow, who have attended the provision each Wednesday since late last year.
Gracie, 14, said: “I was quite reserved when I first came here and I would never have thought then that I’d be performing in front of people, particularly not a solo.
“I wouldn’t have done this in a mainstream setting. The environment here is very supportive and has given me the confidence I’ve been lacking. Dance allows me to express myself without the need to put my feelings into words.”
Autumn, 13, also feels she’s grown in confidence. “I can be more myself around the staff and other young people here. They’re very supportive,” she said. She hopes to pursue a career in the military, perhaps as a medic, when she leaves school.
“Being here at the centre has taught me to persevere and to practice rather than run away. Now, I’m happy to stick at it and learn,” she added.
James said the joy for him was knowing the journeys the young performers had been on. He said: “It’s an achievement that can’t be underestimated. Each of our learners is undergoing an amazing transformation and this showcase is a tangible demonstration of their creativity but it provides an important building block in them becoming more complete, as individuals.”
The Old Library Arts Centre is an historic, grade II listed building which has its own theatre and recording studio. R.E.A.L. Education lease the building from ‘Inspire: Culture, Learning and Libraries’, an Arts Council and National Lottery funded society which delivers a range of cultural and learning services across Nottinghamshire.
Future electricians, plasterers, plumbers and joiners from R.E.A.L. Education and across West Nottinghamshire have been invited to take part in Apprenticeship Taster sessions in Mansfield next month (February 9-12) that could result in them taking their first steps on the career ladder.
The event is being staged at R.E.A.L. Education’s Construction Centre in Kings Mill Way, to coincide with National Apprenticeship Week, and has been organised by Matthews & Tannert Limited (M&T Ltd), a successful refurbishment and regeneration business specialising in social housing based in Kirkby-in-Ashfield.
R.E.A.L. Education is a specialist education provider, and learners from its Alternative Provision will be among up to 200 young people aged 14-19 taking part in eight sessions designed to combine both theoretical demonstrations and practical activities in the different trades.
Those showing a particular aptitude will be invited for interview at M&T Ltd on Friday, February 13, for a chance to join its Foundations for Futures Apprenticeship Programme.
Tracey Keeling, R.E.A.L. Education’s Head of Alternative Provision & Standards, said the Apprenticeship Taster Week was an exciting initiative that would benefit young people from local further education colleges as well as those who benefit from more individualised pathways.
She added: “At R.E.A.L. Education, we provide school places and alternative provision that enables young people who have been marginalised from education to develop the skills and capabilities they need to succeed. This means, offering a flexible approach that combines traditional academic subjects with practical, real-world experiences.
“Apprenticeships can provide a valuable stepping stone for young people to gain specific qualifications and build a successful career.”
New playground equipment has been unveiled at two specialist education sites registered under R.E.A.L. Independent Schools (RIS) Mansfield.
The play and outdoor equipment at Delta House in Mansfield and Blidworth, south of the market town, includes a trim trails, stand up spinner and covered seating areas.
R.E.A.L.’s Head of Schools Kirsten Gibson was at Blidworth (pictured, top) in December for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open their playground.
She said: “It’s great to see the newly-fitted playgrounds at Blidworth and Delta House, and exciting to think about how the students will benefit from the spaces.
“Movement, balancing, spinning, climbing and being outdoors is essential for personal development and well-being as well as a support to help our students to be ready to learn. Staff have a range of ideas for outdoor learning that can be embedded throughout the curriculum, and the opportunity to learn together, problem solve and be creative can be developed through these outdoor spaces.”
RIS Mansfield Head of Behaviours and Attitudes, Ali Wellings, said learners, staff and Louie the dog were all part of the Blidworth grand opening ceremony.
She said: “We’re all very excited with our new playground. Our learners at Blidworth couldn’t wait to have a go on the new equipment with one describing it as ‘awesome’.”
At Delta House, RIS Mansfield Deputy Head Anneka Read said its students and staff were equally thrilled with their new playground. She said: “Our pupils love outdoor learning and this equipment will enable them to develop a range of skills both socially and physically.”
Both Blidworth and Delta House sites are unique and different, providing learning spaces for curriculum delivery for between 20 and 30 learners depending on the individual needs of those who access it.
The sites are two of seven that comprise RIS Mansfield, one of two registered schools run by R.E.A.L. Education, who also offer personalised and vocational alternative provision. It has been part of The Aurora Group since May.
- Talk regularly about your child’s online activities—what apps they use, who they talk to, and how those experiences make them feel.
- Ask open-ended questions like “What’s your favourite thing online?” or “Have you seen anything that made you uncomfortable?”
- Agree on screen time limits and appropriate times for device use (e.g., no phones at bedtime).
- Use parental controls to restrict age-inappropriate content, and explain their purpose.
- Many devices and apps have safety settings designed for children and young people with additional needs. These can include simplified interfaces, content filters, and monitoring tools.
- These apps help manage screen time and filter content. Qustodio and Net Nanny let parents monitor apps and set safe browsing settings. Apple’s Screen Time and Google Family Link are built into most devices and allow you to limit access, manage usage, and monitor activity.
- Help your child understand personal information and why it should stay private.
- Teach them to recognise signs of online bullying, scams, or grooming. Encourage them to speak up if something doesn’t feel right.
- Show your child how to use technology responsibly – whether that’s being kind in online comments or taking screen breaks.
- Share examples of how you manage your own digital wellbeing.
- If you’re concerned about your child’s online safety, speak to their tutor or a member of the safeguarding team.
- You can also access support from organisations like:
- NSPCC
- Internet Matters
- Childnet
Learners at R.E.A.L. Education have been taking their lessons into the fresh air this term, as part of the ongoing Outdoor Learning Sessions held every Friday at Underwood and every Wednesday at Ilkeston.
“Outdoor learning is fun because we’ve been linking it to art. We’ve been experimenting with the colours in nature that we’ll experience in the changing seasons.”
“I just love being outdoors and learning out of the classroom,” added Nelly.
