Russ Whittingham

RUSS WHITTINGHAM Email: rawbapp@gmail.com
PROFILE
	Professionally qualified Educational & Theatre practitioner, with extensive and varied experience of working with young people in very diverse situations, cultures and in formal educational settings for about 21 years, on and off.
WORK HISTORY
Apr 2006 to Present Jul 2007 to Present 2009	Student Support Leader www.hansonschool.com Bradford Below are some areas of work and achievement I have been responsible for, to date Behaviour, concentrated on whole school and previously Year groups. Group work , with varied cohorts of students, issue based and academic Responsibilities for some looked after students, including attending review meetings Attendance work Classroom support Successfully engaged our students to produce Hairspray, the first school musical for 4 years, along with Carousel Run the after school Filmclub with and for our students for the past two years Run the school spelling team, four years Helped organise various residentials BABIES course, Army residential, Outward bound courses Parental Involvement Worker - Worked to set up a Parents Forum for Hanson Organised other Parental activities/events, in the evenings and weekends Recipient of the inaugural "Helping Hands" looked after award Have deputised for HOYs, including devising and delivering some assemblies Transition work from Primary to Secondary Artistic Director   The New Community Arts Academy West Yorkshire www.tncaa.com A founder of a unique, financially solvent, community theatre collaboration. Working with performers of all ages. Formally praised for our work by the previous Health Secretary, Alan Johnson MP. Hon Patron Kitty McGeever (RADA trained, blind actress, currently on Emmerdale) Director of Theatre Productions Drama/singing tutor, answerable to a Management Committee Managing a team of employed practitioners & volunteers Working with Looked after youngsters including foetal alcohol/drugs children Working with Special Needs, including Downs Syndrome, Autism, Asbergers Working with gifted/talented young people Fully differentiated work Some students working towards Gold Arts Award(Equal GCSE grade A) Organised Young people`s London Residential, including wheelchair users Sole responsibility for planning budgets, on all productions to date Heavily involved in publicity, company sponsorships, the image and quality control of the group I Have been instrumental in securing funding to the level of 150k, to date Senior Residential Officer Leeds Metropolitan University, Carnegie Campus I was asked if I would be interested in a part time position (evenings/weekends) involving some living in at student residences (Sugarwell Court), as a residential officer. They said they were impressed at the interview and I was asked if I would take on a more senior role. I was reluctant initially, due to my other responsibilities, but finally agreed. I was involved in all aspects of students Pastoral care, including thorough investigations of incidents in and around the campus/student accommodation. I was "on call" and actively managing and motivating a small team of officers. I enjoyed and handled this role for roughly 8 months and only gave it up due to my other commitments starting to clash, timing wise.
Dec 2005 to Apr 2006	Drama workshops / Business Development Self Employed West Yorkshire Various pieces of Drama work with young people, in many Educational & community settings. Some small consultancy contracts, with work done for Bradford Chamber of Commerce
Sep 2004 to Dec 2005	Manager Youth Team Bradford Youth Development Partnership Bradford A comic relief funded 12 month position Managing the training programme of trainee youth workers Delivering various modules through the training period Leading an International experience, for my team of trainee`s to a village in Gujarat, India Organising & leading placements in Primary and Secondary schools and helping deliver various programmes around, sport/health & social Working in a single cultural environment in the Manningham / Girlington areas of Bradford Motivating trainees Working with trainee`s at risk of being dis-affected Organising and leading, residential youth experiences Help organise community celebration events
Sep 2003 to 2004	Director Vocalise Bradford Self employed, using my Drama skills to work on projects across West Yorkshire schools & private classes & my office to run a small business development operation. Below are some of the contracts I worked on Antic Mind Theatre- in -Education Company Bradford Chamber of Commerce Events at Royal Armouries, Leeds. Helped co-ordinate Opportunity China, press liaison with the Chinese Ambassador Kala Sangam - East Asian Arts University of the 1st age Artworks Bradford Youth Service Private classes, Wibsey & Greengates, Bradford Meanwood & Alwoodley, Leeds Issue based themes ie Bullying/weapons
2001 to 2003	Business Development Manager Superstat Ltd Bradford This is a company, set up as a buying group. Operating throughout the UK Supporting the needs of a network of small business`s throughout the UK Recruitment of new business`s to the buying group Help in the organisation of national conferences Visits to companies, problem solving Marketing functions
Jul 1996 to 2002	Jobbing Actor Working on various projects 1996 Thomsons Cruises - Singer TV & Film work including "A touch of Frost" 1997 Openwide Intl - Cruise Ship Singer 1998 Black Mountain Chorus, USA (East) 50 concerts 1999 Ibiza Large scale 8 month Cabaret Show 2000 Black Mountain Chorus, USA (West) 50 concerts Theatre - The Railway Children, London A Royal Variety Show 1995 2002 Black Mountain Chorus tour to Hong Kong
Sep 1993 to Jul 1996	Full time study, Guildford School of Acting
Jul 1991 to Sep 1993	Youth & Community Worker Bradford Youth Service Bradford After working part-time as a Youth worker at one of Bradfords most challenging estates for 3 years (Ravenscliffe) I was approached to cover a full time maternity leave at the main office. Managing the club night with upto 100 young people Some outreach work, drug hotspots Organising events Working as part of a team
Jul 1987 to Jul 1991	Hardware Support Grattan PLC Bradford Prior to this was an accounts section leader, also within Grattan PLC on/off site callouts Hardware/software support Helpdesk
EDUCATION
1989	Bradford College Bradford GCSEs Evening study Maths C Accounts B
Sep 1993 to Jul 1996	Guildford School of Acting Guildford, Surrey 3 Year Acting/Musical Theatre Diploma A highly sought after practical course aimed at the professional performer. I took the wholly professional performer route.
Sep 1982 to Jul 1985	St Bedes RC Grammar School Bradford O Levels Geography English RE Economics
MEMBERSHIPS
	Actor`s Equity