This page will helpfully hope you understand who people are, what we do and explain some of the abbreviations/names I use!

The Check It Out Team is led by Joy Clark, Andy Clark and Claire Parry and consists of a band – Taste and a drama team – Diversion. We travel the country doing schools weeks at the invitation of local churches, and other christian youth events and festivals. In schools we tend to set up in the hall and do RE, Music, Citizenship and Drama lessons. We use songs, sketches, games, video, chat and encourage the students to ask us questions. We are in the schools to share what Christians believe and give the students an opportunity to chat to us and ask us any questions they might have.

Taste
Vocals: Becca Ceaser and Claire Parry
Guitar: Andy Clark
Bass: Jack Harrison
Drums: Keel
DJ: La Roche

Diversion
Laura Bayliss
Ben Read

Schools Weeks

We are often invited into an area by local churches who then organise a week in a local secondary school. We will usually set up our gear in the hall and then take a week of RE lessons, PSHE lessons, Music lessons and Drama lessons. We have a variety of lessons to meet all levels from Year 7-11. We try and spend time getting to know the young people at breaktimes and lunchtimes and occasionally hold concerts and activities at these times. The week culminates in a gig either at the school or a local church.

Our Lessons

Values – Looking at how much we are worth and how God really values us. Featuring songs from Taste, a game and chat about being unique, a sketch from Diversion about worth, a film clip and a chat about the greatest way we can show love for another person.
Friends – Looking at friendships. Featuring songs from Taste, a video clip, a game and a look at the most important qualities in a friendship.
Forgiveness - The importance of forgiveness. Featuring songs from Taste, a game looking at forgiveness in different situtations and an interview with a team member about their true life story of forgiveness.
Soaps – Is there More To Life? Featuring songs from Taste and the creation of a soap story.
All About Abi - Used as a drama or PSHE lesson this is a 20minute play looking at a day in the life of Abigail Hartley, a 15yr old ‘typical’ teenager with a lot of issues. The play focuses on the choices she makes and her relationships with the people around her. The lesson incorporates the play, songs from Taste and a discussion time about the decisions Abi makes, where she could end up if she carries on the way she is and what she could do to change. Issues include: relationships – friends/family/romantic; stealing; drugs; future (career options) and bullying.
Music – Including songs from Taste, a music quiz and an interview with one of the band.
Drama – Looking at creating stories, character work and interpreting a Bible story in different styles.

At the ends of lessons we often try to leave time for Q&A where the class can ask the team any questions they want. These range from ‘How long have you been in the band?’ to ‘If there is a God, why is there so much suffering in the world?’ These sessions are brilliant and often spark up conversations with the young people in free time.

Gigs

The gig is usually on the Thursday or Friday night and we advertise it all through the week, often giving out half price flyers. We usually spend the whole afternoon transforming the venue, rigging more lights and making it look as good as possible. The gig itself is about 2hours long and features a full set from Taste, games and sketches from Diversion and a brief Gospel message. We sell merchandise and glow sticks as well as giving out our Check It Out leaflets which explain what it is to be a Christian. We will also advertise Christian Unions/Groups that are running that the young people can go to to find out more after we’ve gone. This follow up opportunity is really vital!

Other

We also do youth events, festivals and activities weeks. We are involved in Spring Harvest, Solid, The Mix, Baptist Assembly, Liv’ It and Leading Edge and travel to Germany once or twice a year.