Theatr na nÓg’s production, ‘The Fight,' inspires schoolchildren to compete for a creative learning award in memory of local school advisor.
Yesterday on the 12th of March, at the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea, the Carolyn Davies Creative Learning Award 2025 was presented to Blaenymaes Primary School. The award, presented annually, recognises the creative project or activities ignited by a trip to a Theatr na nÓg production. Of the nine schools who entered this year, the most entries received since the award began, the shortlisted three attended the award ceremony at the museum, sponsored by accountancy firm Carr Jenkins Hood. Blaenymaes Primary was awarded first prize, with Penyrheol Primary coming second and St Thomas Community Primary third.
Theatr na nÓg established the Carolyn Davies Creative Learning Award in 2018 with this year marking the fifth time the competition has been held. The award is presented in memory of arts adviser, teacher, and former chair of Theatr na nÓg’s board, Carolyn Davies. Carolyn championed the importance of the arts in schools and for it to be at the core of young people’s learning. Her wish for schools to form strong links with the theatre company makes this award a fitting tribute to honour her lifetime’s dedication to children and the arts in South West Wales.
Geinor Styles, artistic director of Theatr na nÓg, said: “The incredible work schools create demonstrates the power of theatre to not only ignite young imaginations, but also to create real change in our communities. The profound impact of this work inspires us to keep on telling Welsh stories as we have for the last 40 years, continuing Carolyn’s vision.”
This year’s award centred around the company’s production The Fight, which tells the true story of Welsh boxer Cuthbert Taylor, from Merthyr Tydfil, who competed for Great Britain at the Olympics but was barred from competing for British titles due to the colour of his skin. Schools from all over South Wales spent the day with the company seeing the show and participating in workshops at Swansea Museum and the National Waterfront Museum. In addition to the day’s activities, children also participated in computer science workshops delivered in their classrooms by Technocamps. Theatr na nÓg also provides classroom resources to teachers on the topics of the show, facilitating a whole term worth of cross-curricular learning.
The impact of the show has already been covered by the press, as hundreds of pupils wrote to the British Boxing Board of Control and local representatives to ask them for an apology for Cuthbert’s family. This has resulted in formal responses from the Government and the Board, though no apology has been given.
All who came to see the show were given the chance to enter this creative learning award by submitting a video showcasing their creative activities that embedded the show into their learning.
Amy Smith, deputy headteacher of Blaenymaes Primary said “As a school, we are incredibly proud of our pupils' achievements, especially being recognised and awarded first place at the Carolyn Davies Creative Learning Awards. The Fight inspired our pupils to take charge of their own learning, sparking thoughtful discussions and debates about Cuthbert's treatment in the past, while also encouraging reflection on issues that still occur today.”
Previous winners are Creunant Primary School in 2019, Cwmafan Primary in 2020, Blaenymaes Primary in 2023 and St Thomas Community Primary in 2024.
The judges this year were Carolyn Davies’ close friend and former teaching colleague Sandra Morgan; Mark Howells from Carr Jenkins Hood; Professor Uzo Iwobi, CEO and Founder of Race Council Cymru; Luke Clement from Technocamps; producer Yeota Imam-Rashid, who is a trustee of Theatr na nÓg; and Leisa Williams from the National Waterfront Museum.
Explaining why Carr Jenkins Hood continue to sponsor the award, Director Mark Howells said “We have been proud to be part of the judging panel and working alongside Theatre na nÓg again, as they continue to educate young minds, this time with their inspirational production of "The Fight". Being a local business it is truly aspiring to witness the ability, desire and empathy from our next generation as they whole heartedly absorb the history and story delivered by Theatr na nÓg."
The winning school, Blaenymaes Primary, receives the Carolyn Davies Award Trophy, £250 prize money donated from sponsors Carr Jenkins Hood, as well as a free day of workshops at Swansea University with Technocamps and free workshops with the UK’s leading fight director and director of ‘The Fight’, Kev McCurdy. Runners-up, Penyrheol Primary School and St Thomas Community Primary School will receive £150 and £100, respectively.
Schools wishing to compete for the 2026 Carolyn Davies Creative Learning Award should visit Theatr na nÓg’s next Autumn production, Eye of the Storm and submit a video showcasing their creative project. Further information will be announced soon.