LOCKED DOWN WITH BUGSY MALONE
THE STANDOUT PERFORMERS OF THE LAST 5 YEARS
'SUSHHH' 'IT'LL BE FINE'
but before you go
When you came to the Grove you came with enthusiasm, drive and a load of costumes, which was fantastic for us as we had no budget!
You wowed the students, built the casts to numbers over 100 and nurtured some of our quieter, more vulnerable students to the point that they felt comfortable to take centre stage
Your patience, creativity, kindness and professionalism meant that you were able to produce incredible shows, sometimes under very tough circumstances: no technician, a world wide lockdown, half a cast missing, the theatre being used for assemblies/ exams/ visitors, rain during outdoor performance rehearsals, being heavily pregnant - to name a few!
You have built a legacy here at The Grove that will not be forgotten. You have inspired students and staff alike and some of our fondest memories will be the ones you helped us to create
Personally, I will miss the tone of your emails, the 'Shush' of your rehearsals, the 'WHAP!' of your warm-ups and the 2 week pre-show mantra of 'It'll be fine!". I will miss the cheese, the hugs, the words of wisdom and the times you tried to understand Star Wars
We were so lucky to have worked with you, Mrs Baker Thank you for everything..
LAURA EVERS - ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (& PADAWAN)
It is the end of an era.
2018 - 2019
The Importance of Being Earnest
Our Day Out
Double Dahl
2019 - 2020
Great Expectations
Bugsy Malone
2020 - 2021
...we don't speak of this year...
2021 - 2022
Year 7 & 8 Spotlight Show
Legally Blonde
High School Musical
A Midsummer Night's Dream
2022 - 2023
Year 7 & 8 Spotlight Show
Blue Stockings
School of Rock
Alice in Wonderland
Dear Kimberley (never Kim!),
My favourite memory of a show is difficult to pinpoint because I have enjoyed them all.
I'm also sorry you won't be around as I burst into your room with some random query at any given point, I'm not sure many other people will give the same measured and gracious response. Yours, with my best wishes and heartfelt thanks, Phillip
Kim, over the past few years, your dedication and commitment to Performing Arts at The Grove has resulted in the rejuvenation of stage productions, whether musicals or plays, inside the theatre or out It has been a delight and pleasure to work with you directly on "Bugsy Malone" and "School of Rock" It has been wonderful to sit in the audience and watch the students perform to such a high standard, with such enthusiasm and total commitment. This is all down to you!
As you leave The Grove, there are two enormous shoes to be filled. I shall miss our chats about the shows currently showing in London or elsewhere, sharing our love of musical theatre I wish you all the very best as your move onto pastures new, albeit still with a vested interest still here at WGS with PQA. Thank you and Хαιρετε . Andrew
Kim, what a ray of sunshine you are. it was a delight working with you at The Grove… I am so sad to hear that you are leaving and I know that the school will miss you incredibly I absolutely loved your magical version of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ and my ultimate favourite award goes to ‘Double Dahl’ - I remember the smiles xx thank you for letting me choreograph some of the numbers along the way. I wish you so much love as you move closer to your family … I know that you will have had a huge impact on so many students lives…remember that …lots of love, Hannah xx
Thank you for everything you have done for Performing Arts and all of the wonderful productions you have put on over the last 5 years here at The Grove
You are such a lovely person to have around and you will be so missed All the best for your move back to Cheshire. Coups x
Dear Kim,
Working with you this year on both Spotlight and Alice has been a dream! I'm sad that we only got to work together for one year but I'm sure we will bump into one another in the future!
Good luck- I'm certain that being with family will make all the stress of the move worthwhile! Best Wishes, Sarah
It feels like I met you only last week and now it's time to say goodbye! I couldn't have wished for a better person to welcome me to the school through School of Rock's baptism of fire and I'm so sad to see you go; we didn't get enough time to create crazy ideas!!! Bringing to life these amazing productions has been such a pleasure and I can't wait to see what you do next and hopefully catch you during a PQA Saturday at some point.
All the best, Jay
What an amazing time we had doing Double Dahl and Our Day Out Even if I did end up back stage with a sling!
I still remember the time that you shouted at one of my students for climbing in a bin . Good luck in your big move. Hopefully we might manage a catch up at some point. Lots of Love, Charlie
Thankyou for everything you have done for the kids at The Grove. Personally you have been brilliant with my two boys – challenging, supporting, and showing patience in spades! We’ll miss you hugely!
ED WRIGHTThank you for five superb years with your hand tightly gripped on the production rudder The quality and variety of the shows has been exceptional and confirmation of this is the number of pupils who want to be a part of each show My favourite shows are Double Dahl, High School Musical and Our Day Out; the latter just edging into number one. After 13 shows, it seems as if 13 is our unlucky number as you are leaving our stage, however, whatever stage you grace in the future will be very lucky.
I hope you remember your time at the Grove fondly and keep in touch
KEVIN EAGLESTONEWishing you all the best as you end your time at the Grove I have thoroughly enjoyed all the productions you have been involved in and led over your time with us. I know Lexie really enjoyed being involved in Bugsy!
The imagination shown in all the productions is incredible and the level of performance of our students is a credit to you and the hard work put it.
Well done especially for dealing with the weather in your last production with us - Alice in Wonderland Again, the kids managing to adapt so well to the indoor performance is down to your ability to get the best from them. Sorry to see you go and all the very best!
ANTHONY CADMANThank you for all your wonderful creativity and engagement with all school productionsyou have set the bar so high and leave a legacy of skill and professionalism that as a school we will emulate and move forward from You will be much missed!
DONNA SHOESMITH-EVANSOver the last five years, school productions have been a real highlight for me in the school year. Thank you for your excellent work in partnership with Laura to make these productions possible Blue Stockings was so beautifully done, and I will remember it for the atmosphere and emotion created More recently, 'School of Rock' stands out as such a huge achievement. I do not underestimate how much work went into coordinating all of the components of such a complex production. Wishing you well as you head off to Cheshire to pastures new. I hope you will not be a stranger!
Very best wishes,
EMMA NULTYThank you, Kim, for giving the Sixth Form students the opportunity to express themselves on stage. They have learnt a lot from you, and you have helped them all ‘step out of their comfort zone’. All the best for the future!
Everything Kim has done has been a total triumph. I genuinely think Kim is a genius and a magician and she's brought so many of us such joy, as well as getting so much out of the students and giving them so much in return A future in the school theatre without her is devastating to me
Dear Kim, Thank you so much for inspiring Lily to perform in so many productions…she is currently away in Majorca after completing her A-levels but I know for sure that she has loved every one of the shows she has been involved in and has very much appreciated your support and guidance, as well as the huge amount of fun and laughs along the way… you will be greatly missed, for sure…all the very best for your move back to Cheshire!
DAVE SUGDEN CHRIS SOFTLEYThanks for putting smiles on so many of our students' faces with your work, Kim! All the best with your next chapter!
Kim - you have brought such an air of joy, passion and professionalism to school productions, My all time favourite has to be 'School of Rock' - the singing, playing and performing were all first class, and I left work that evening feeling uplifted We will miss you!"
Thank you for the best WGS shows! It has been such a joy to hear the students buzz with excitement before a production, create lifelong friendships across the year groups during rehearsals, build a confidence on stage that they have never exhibited before, and burst with pride when it was all over. And you always managed to execute this with professional precision and a warm supportive smile!
Thank you, Kim, for directing and producing some outstanding productions over the last few years My absolute favourite was 'Blue Stockings' which combined a powerful tale with more light-hearted moments You have encouraged a broad spectrum of students to take to the boards (or the grass) and nurtured many with a love of the theatre. Wishing you every success and happiness as you move away from Yorkshire. x
CLAIRE
Thank you for providing my son with 'the best night' of his life in 'The School of Rock' His confidence has soared because of the opportunity you provided I will always be grateful. What you do matters. Thank you.
LISA OAKLEY
I didn't want to write anything specific about one because I have loved them all, for varying reasons Just that in general, I have loved all the productions which Kim has organised in all the years that she has been here It is clear to see the hours of work and dedication that she has shown towards the productions and the students as they have flourished on the stage.
AMANDA PINKNEYAll good wishes Kim, we will miss your happy, friendly face Love from all on the Reception Team
From Miss Honey’s tear-jerking ‘My House’ in Double Dahl, to the iconic Legally Blonde and most recently the absolutely epic School of Rock - with a live band on stage! - I cannot imagine seeing more talented, professional productions at a secondary school and that’s all down to you and your team. Thank you for these wonderful memories. Taking my girls to your productions has been the highlight of my year. ❤
REBECCA SHARPEThank you for supporting, challenging and inspiring Caragh It is great to see the hard work frown, the focused concentration and the biggest smile when she has been part of the shows Thank you for seeing what she could do instead of what she couldn't. She has loved the responsibility you have given her and the fun and laughter that she has found as part of the backstage. I know that being part of the shows is something she will treasure forever. Good luck in the future.
All the best Claire and Caragh
Dear Kim,
Thank you for always being such a positive member of staff I have enjoyed all of your productions and love that so many pupils get cameo performances alongside the lead roles It enables even more pupils to shine. I am a HUGE fan of the hour-long format – please let this be your legacy!
Good luck with your new venture. Alex
ALEX BARRON CLAIRE LAURA HUGHESMrs Baker, I have had the honour of serving in a variety of technical roles in six of your thirteen shows, spanning a half-decade in which I have grown a great deal, both physically and mentally. With each show, my respect for your style as a leader and a thespian has deepened.
I would like to highlight two themes that have run through a number of the shows that we’ve done, which are “surely to [your] credit” (with apologies to Gilbert, Sullivan, Sorkin et al.). The first one is the near-wizardry of some of the casting decisions. Knowing many cast members as I do, I’ve been blown away by the interaction between the personality of an actor and that of the character they inhabit on a great many occasions
The second one is the number of times these shows have involved a last-minute change of plan. From trying to put on Bugsy Malone in the dramatic first weeks of the pandemic, to complete re-organisations of the tech team for School of Rock, to moving Alice in Wonderland indoors for some rehearsals and a performance, you’ve consistently got the big calls right and then kept the cast out of the tech team’s way as we scrambled to implement them. I’ve lost count of the number of times that hard work has meant we haven’t had to rely on our audiences’ admirable patience half as much as we thought we would
In short, Miss, you are an inspiration to many in our Grove community. Thank you for your good and faithful service to our school; I wish you God-speed in whatever He will put next in your path.
The Importance of Being Ernest is still one of my favourite performing memories The confidence I gained from that production meant I went into Conservatoire productions prepared and ready to follow any instructions. This is all down to your amazing directions for Ernest I wish you all the best for your next adventure!
Scarlett ReillyWhenever I talk about school or how much I used to love the arts department I always think about ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’. I’d never officially been in a school play before because I was too shy (still to this day don’t know why I auditioned but I’m so glad I did) During the course of the show we as a cast made some memories that I will never forget - Scarlett & I still sometimes quote our posh tea fight. The show also improved my confidence SO much - thank you for helping me build that confidence & encouraging me because it wouldn’t have been possible without you x
Floss Lawson
Absolutely loved the Willy Russell 'Our Day Out' which was such a simple but yet very effective play, hitting home about areas of deprivation and students who had less opportunities for education, etc and I thought Lily Sugden was excellent in this. Not a big cast and no great elaborate scenery...but yet, it gripped the audience totally Great acting all round
Amanda Pinkney
If I remember rightly it was completely smooth sailing. No need to recast Mr Wormwood after the first night of Double Dahl or stop Will from falling sideways out of the bus in Our Day Out!
Charlie Lee
Though I wasn't involved in this one, beyond helping with casting, It was such a fun show to watch and such a great range of kids working together. I will always remember your hilarious frustration at the bus driver!
Laura Evers
Double Dahl had some of the best choreography produced by Mrs Baker herself and it was one of the most fun productions She really motivated me to give my shouting lines in Blue Stockings and I was so happy when I delivered them almost perfectly. She is amazing and somehow comes up with these stunning shows - I will miss doing shows with her �� Maya Griffiths
I have loved every show that I have been a part of, from Year 7 with Double Dahl to Year 11 with School of Rock and it would not have been possible without you. I especially liked A Midsummer Night’s Dream and performing outside in the sun but my favourite show to be a part of would have to be School of Rock. I loved getting to play with a band whilst being in a show and it was really nice getting to know people across all year groups as well. Being part of the shows has been something that I have always looked forward to during my time at school. You’ve made it such an enjoyable experience and you will be missed. I wish you luck for the future.
Anna Parsons
I always enjoyed being in the plays especially when I got to ay the antagonist in Great Expectations and my mate was the protagonist. We kept laughing at each other during our scene but Mrs Baker set us right and it ended up going really well to the point I terrified the headmaster. Best of luck to Mrs Baker.
Finn Armstrong
Mrs Baker has been so supportive of my love of theatre and her support has enabled me to partake in Great Expectations as Miss Havisham, which I loved every minute of Her belief in me has made it possible for me to get my dream job as a costume designer and I wish her every success in the future.
Hannah Dutton
I loved being a part of Great Expectations in year 13. Performing arts at the Grove helped me become so much more confident and Mrs Baker played a huge part in that.
Ellie Nott
This wonderful production had the mesmeric performance of Miss Havisham by Hannah Dutton – I loved this version of Great Expectations
Donna Shoesmith-Evans
Havisham had written her lines in the prop book! This production was sometimes a struggle but ended up being SO impressive I think this is where we started to get into our groove as a double act!
Laura Evers
“Hi Mrs Baker. I am so sad to hear you are leaving, I have been involved in many of the school Productions, all of which I have loved! My favourite has to be Bugsy Malone, I was so happy to be cast as Fat Sam, wishing you all the best
Joe Richards
Mrs Baker, I Just wanted to let you know how grateful I am for all of the hard work you have done putting together all of the shows. From Bugsy Malone to Blue Stockings, I have had a fantastic time. When you cast me as Bugsy I never thought I could ever do something like that and now I feel like I could play any lead role given to me so I thank you for that as well. I have enjoyed every production I have done with you and plan to do more in the future. Good luck with opening your PQA’s and again thank you so much for all the memories and good times we have had together.
Finlay RobbHi Mrs Baker Just wanted to let you know I am thankful for all the work that you put in for Bugsy Malone. My favourite memory would have been getting the train from London back to Apperley Bridge and running from the station to make it to Sunday rehearsal. Thank you very much, Miss!
Grayson OldridgeI just want to say a big thank you Mrs I remember all of the plays that I have done with you, and always will. From ‘Our Day Out’ to the next year being my first lead as Blousey Brown, to the iconic Carolyn Cecilia Mouchette Addison. I have enjoyed being a part of every single one, and that each production has changed me for the better. Giving me abilities I never thought I would have. I know that we will all miss you so much.
Eimhir Robbins
Mrs Baker was a big inspiration of mine when performing. She was such a patient and motivating role model to the whole cast and crew. And always made us enjoy every rehearsal and dress run there was. From the Roald Dahl production, to Bugsy Malone and finally, my personal favourite, Legally Blonde, she really gave me the confidence to be out on stage more, I will really miss her!
Maidie Jennings
Thank you for the amazing opportunities you’ve given us and the wide range of shows I’ve been able to take part it Delta Nu!
Holly Lamb
A highlight of my week is my chats/lesson with Miss Baker. I will miss her so much. Thank you for all the opportunities you’ve given me since year 7 and all the confidence you’ve given me
Winnie Offland
I had a wonderful time during Legally Blonde and never knew I had the confidence to be able to take part in such a wonderful production!
Ruby Clark
A favourite memory of mine was Legally Blonde as the delivery guy and even when I forgot a prop she was there to comfort me when I was down. I had a blast and her kind and enthusiastic energy she put into every production made it feel so special and wonderful to do. I have no regrets, She is and always will be the best theatre teacher I could have ever asked for. Kind regards and good luck!
Trey Halliday
Thank you so much for directing the productions I've had so much fun participating in them. I really appreciate what I have learned from you, and how encouraging and supportive you have been to all the cast and crew. I wish you well for the future, and I'm sure you will continue to brighten people's lives
Kadia BarryThank you so much for everything you’ve done for me From being a quiet and shy newcomer to PQA to the performer I am today. I almost certainly wouldn’t have gotten into drama school without your help! You were always so kind and supportive to me encouraging me to sing which led to my whole musical theatre career. Not to mention my first ever production ‘The Phantom of the Opera’. I miss our speech and drama lessons greatly. Thank you so much for all you’ve done for me and I wish you, Ollie and Hetty the best of luck in the future, you will be missed greatly!
It was fabulous to see y11 students, Winnie and Finlay in lead roles here - students who had been impacted by covid lockdown, but brought everything to this wonderful performance. It was like watching a professional show!
Donna Shoesmith-Evans
Legally Blonde is now one of my and Juno's favourite musicals and listening to it always makes me think of seeing our kids perform those songs.
Katy Goodwin-Bates
We’ll all miss the fantastic shows and friendships you have built, as well as the joyful environment you create everywhere you go. It was a pleasure being Miss Darbus in my NO.1 Favourite show of all time, High school musical! You made so many people laugh and smile and now it’s our turn to with your goodbye We’ll all miss the LEGENDARY Mrs Baker
Amber Khan
Thank you so much for all the plays and productions you have directed! They have all been so enjoyable and I will miss you a lot.
Lottie Powell-Wiffen
High School Musical is another show I loved, bringing to it my unironic devotion to the films and taking away a newfound joy
'Bop to the Top' was stuck in my head for about 3 months. As you can imagine, Dan loved that!
Laura Evers
Thank you so much for all of the amazing choreography and being the best director of the school productions. From doing the spotlight show in year 8 to High school musical to School of Rock in year 9 You have always been someone I look up to in the industry as someone who is enjoyable to work with. My favourite show was High School Musical where I got to wear you pink fluffy tu-tu! Thank you for everything!
Matilda Holt
A Midsummer Night's Dream is my favourite Shakespearean play, so thank you for orchestrating a magical evening's entertainment on The Holy Grass!
Mark Gill
Omg my favourite memory with Mrs Baker is when we did A Midsummer Night's Dream when we broke the boundaries and used the holy grass. Mrs Baker was so lovely making us snacks and always rewarding us. She has been such a lovely teacher and bestie to hang around with I hope she enjoys whatever cool productions she does next ❤ Best wishes, Rudy Rudy
Halliday
The most hard-hitting may well have been Blue Stockings, a really timely reminder to us of the prejudice and barriers women face, particularly poignant given the recent incursions into women's rights and spaces in the wider world.
Phillip Tedd
A particular production which blew me away was ‘Blue Stockings’ It will certainly be a production I will speak about for a long time.
Chris Softley
Blue Stockings has been one of my favourite productions to work on. The depth of the piece required something totally different from our cast and, though it challenged them, it demonstrated the breadth of their talents. The play itself was so important and being able to demonstrate to our students how far back the fight for equal rights to education started, was inspiring It was wonderful to hear about the changes they want to make in the world. What a triumph of a school production, friend!
Laura EversBluestockings! What an amazing play and brave choice with a small cast, strong feminist message and amazing, powerful performances.
Katy Goodwin-Bates
Thank you so much miss! School of Rock was the best musical I’ve ever played in and you were always encouraging everyone to be the best at their roles as possible We’re all sad to see you leave and I wish you good luck in the future. Once more, thank you miss!
Rosalind Bayliss
SoR was my favourite ever school performance! So good to see so many y9 involvedthe band and music were amazing but Georgie Dutton stole this performance!
Donna Shoesmith-Evans
School of Rock was amazing...mixing acting and singing and wow did they perform here! Georgina Dutton was another excellent lead. I have never laughed so much at a performance and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Amanda Pinkney
School of Rock was a barnstorming night, showcasing some of my favourite students I've taught in my career, all to a rollicking soundtrack.
Mark Gill
My favourite show I've ever seen at school was School of Rock. I love that the students were able to take on something that's actually quite edgy and did it in a way that totally embodied the spirit of rock that the show is all about I loved how things went wrong and the cast just rolled with it; Georgina singing acapella and the band just going along with it was perfection and literally noone else in the audience knew it wasn't just meant to be like that. The Friday night performance was a feeling I'd like to bottle and keep for the moments when enthusiasm is just out of reach; the buzz of being in a noisy, enthusiastic audience for such an absolutely incredible production was something I will never forget. I felt like I was at an actual gig and it was everything. Even if they had to be "good and miffed" which was one of the funniest things I've ever heard.
Katy Goodwin-Bates
This show - WGS students, rocking out, forming new friendships, overcoming HUGE obstacles and even creating their own bands - will always stay in my heart as a highlight of my teaching career. There was magic on that stage!
Laura EversThank you so much for bringing the magic and fun to every lesson and show you have led and we will all miss you and happy personality
Harry WildeThank you for being my speech and drama teacher for 3 years if it wasn’t for you I probably wouldn’t be taking drama for GCSE or being going for grade five speech and drama. I have enjoyed all the plays and productions and I will really miss your wise coaching Good luck for the future
Ted CooperHi Miss, when I heard you were leaving I really had to make a double take. I just couldn't imagine productions without you. I really enjoyed doing all the shows I've been in with you directing us My favourite probably being School of Rock. I hope you find success in Chester and I wish you luck in your future endeavours. Have fun, Miss!
Liam Matley
I would like to thank Mrs Baker for teaching me the choreography for SoR, and for keeping the whole production together. She was an absolute inspiration and she's made our shows so brilliant.
Miranda Bayliss
Thank you for everything (Enjoy Colin!)
George NgThank you so much for everything you've done, the productions, speech and drama lessons and being an all round lovely person. I enjoyed doing productions with you, and they will always hold a special play in my heart Thank you again, and goodbye!
Charles McLarnonSchool of Rock changed my life Yes, it sounds pretentious and hyperbolic and slightly too passionate for a secondary school production, but it remains the truth. I’ll face it, I was in a really bad place during School of Rock. I am still in a really bad place in my life at the moment. But School of Rock gave me purpose. With yours and Ms. Evers' help, guitar work, acting, singing became an escape I desperately needed. I normally use writing, for example, I’ve written complete novels as long as 100,000 words since Year 5, but School of Rock and play/musical theatre in general brings a performance, social aspect that I never knew I needed. I’ve gained a reconciled passion for guitar, a strive for Drama which I needed the push to set off for. Thank you. If nothing else, you’ve changed my life for the better, and I wish you the best in future endeavours. You rock.
Ash Poplar
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a part of such an amazing journey at the grove. If it wasn’t for you and Ms. Evers I’d have given up acting, I’d never have known how much I can do on stage, I’d probably not be staying on at The Grove for sixth form and I would have gone full-time to Harrogate Army College when I leave school.
I have been a bit hit and miss with school productions up until this last year and I finally see what it is all about. School of Rock will be going down in history at this school thanks to YOU!!! And for Mr Lockwood to say that Blue Stockings was his favourite show (and he genuinely meant it) warms my heart because YOU made that entire production the best it possibly could have been. We couldn’t have done any of it without you. You are literally my hero.
You manage to teach tonnes of students Speech and Drama and Acting, you own and manage this region of PQA, you have a tiny and adorable human, Hetty (tell her I said hi btw) and you also manage to direct and produce school shows on top of all that!? You are honestly so Incredible, I don’t know how you do it.
You have completely opened my eyes to my own capabilities with your positive, optimistic, and all-round beautiful personality and attitude. I am absolutely gutted that you are going to leave us! But all good things must come to an end, I guess.
I thank you for carrying me through with my Grade 7 Acting. I thank you for School of Rock and Blue Stockings. And I thank you for putting up with me.
You will be sincerely missed so much by everyone at the Grove, you have been such an asset to everything and everyone, not just in the drama department but for the rest of the school as well.
From the bottom of my Heart, Thank You.
*I’m crying now - this is your fault*
Gee DuttonAlice in Wonderland was fabulous. As a head of year, it was a delight to see students in a totally different light How you get such young children to stay focused and totally on task, whilst remembering all those lines, is beyond me. It is a reflection of the way that you inspire, energise and share your vision of what you want in a language that they understand, that allows them to perform to such a high level. Thank you so much for a wonderful evening - I hope you find the time to reflect on yours and the children's fantastic achievements.
Oliver Mantle
Thank you so much for all you have done in productions and all the times you have helped me with acting. I will miss you loads.
Simeon Tedd
