STUDENTS from a specialist college recently held their first ever pantomime, in front of a crowd of over 150 people.

All aged between 16 and 25, students from SWRAC, a college for people with specialist needs, put on their own production of Jack and the Beanstalk at the Boscombe Baptist Church.

Nathanial Northover, who played a market trader in the production, said: “I am 21 years old and I have special education needs.

“This is the first time I have ever taken part in a performance of any kind. This experience was great fun and gave me so much confidence.

“Even big stars started small, you never know it could be me next.”

SWRAC students all have special educational needs and the focus of the curriculum is to help prepare them for adulthood and help them with the skills to thrive in society.

Adrian Gunner, the Principal of SWRAC, said: “A pantomime is great fun and a lovely way of celebrating the Christmas season but, on a more serious note, the planning, preparation, practice and performance builds students confidence and social skills which very much supports all that we endeavour to achieve.

“The show had the audience in stitches with a great number of standout performances.

“All who took part should feel very proud. Thanks go to all the staff and senior students who helped behind the scenes to make the production such a success.

“As a result of the success of this programme, we intend to include the production of performances such as this as a regular part of our curriculum for next year.”

The pantomime was followed with a celebration event to mark the achievements and the outcomes for students during 2019.