Skins star judges school drama (From Wiltshire Times)

Skins star judges school drama

2:24pm Wednesday 28th March 2007 in Melksham By Charley Morgan

PUPILS at The George Ward School had a celebrity panel of judges for their annual drama competition this year.

Mike Bailey, who plays Sid in the E4 programme Skins, Bristol-based singer/songwriter Ben Pearce and Wiltshire performer Alison Sommers, formed the panel for this year's competition.

Ruth Cook, head of drama, said: "We have really gone to town with the competition this year and have hired in lighting and sound equipment as well as a technician and sold tickets for it.

"Mike and Ben were both former pupils of mine when I taught at Downend School near Bristol so I thought it would be good to get some external judges in.

"All the kids lined up outside so they could see Mike arrive - I cried when I saw him he's come such a long way.

"They were all very excited because they watch the show and they asked him what happens in the next series.

"He really enjoyed himself too and was very impressed with the acting."

On Monday night, pupils from Year 7 competed against each other and 7KAG won with their production A Regular School Day' where the geeks' overthrow the plastic girls'.

Last night's competition saw pupils from Year 8 battle it out, with 8GJL winning with their production about how they were going to win the contest by sabotaging the other groups.

The judges particularly praised Jack Simpson's narration too.

Tonight, pupils from Year 9 will compete and tomorrow will see the A Level drama exams get under way.

The pupils were judged out of 30 for their originality, standard of acting, difficulty, technique and style, clarity of meaning and timing.