Pat's Puppets Behind the staff room door

The website has been designed to be teacher-friendly as well as child-friendly. Feedback as to its usefulness would be appreciated.

Pat’s Puppets is run by Pat Gutteridge, a primary school teacher who took early retirement in 1992. Pat writes the shows and makes most of the puppets, scenery and props. Pat's Puppets aims and objectives can be accessed here together with an Equal Opportunities policy.

If you're interested in inviting Pat's Puppets to your school, library, group or party please check out the current programme which includes booking details.

The website is designed to complement the shows, although the content does stand alone. Children’s responses will be welcomed and Pat hopes to reply to children through email if possible.

The website has been produced by a team of volunteers, to whom many thanks are due. They are Sally and David Griffiths, Jonny Gutteridge, John Parsons and Tim Ryan of Volute web design.

With my back to the radiator.... (Pat's pause for thought)

The main characters

	Leo, the friendly lion, relates to children. He introduces their work, drawings, and jokes. He is forever wailing “I wanna be a star”
	Henry, the Fatherly lion, tells Bible stories as the cartoon pictures unfold. The text on the right hand side is the bible story, and can be used both for R.E. and the literacy hour.
	The Professor holds the keys of the puppet library and the workroom.

Pat's puppet library contains a puppet for almost any occasion and many of them are used in the current programme of plays.

Pat's Puppets aims and objectives

To honour God.

To convey a wholesome message through story, puppets and other activities.

To empower both adults and children to speak and perform through the aforementioned activities.

To resource and train others in working with children and puppets.

Pat's Puppets Equal Opportunities policy

Pats Puppets is committed to the principle of equal opportunity for those adults and children of any racial, national or cultural grouping, gender, class, age, religion, marital status or sexual orientation, those who have a disability or support dependants. The organisation will provide a supportive and non-prejudicial environment that responds to individuals in a way that is sympathetic and non-judgemental. Every possible step wil be taken to ensure that individuals are treated equally.

In practice, this will mean that:

• There will be equal access to shows, talks and workshops for all. The puppet theatres have wheelchair access.
• Puppets have different skin colours. Disabled puppets are valued in activities. Spoken languages of different groupings are respected.
• Encouragement will be given to everyone who supports these values.
• Training will be offered to everyone who supports these values.
• Attitudes which are not positive will be confronted and the expectation is that all who are involved with Pat’s Puppets will act according to the policy outlined.

The policy will be reviewed regularly.