Programmes for primary schools

Stepping Stones is a long-term programme designed to improve participation in group-work among children who may be very quiet or who struggle to interact productively with peers. Using an interactive story that explores teamwork and creativity, Stepping Stones builds confidence, raises self-esteem and develops young imaginations.

duration: 12-week programme of up to four weekly 45-minute sessions
audience: starting with 15 and building up to 30 children in the classroom
format: interactive storytelling and drama workshops

Staff INSET also available exploring emotional literacy using story and drama in the classroom

Testimonials

"I just wanted to let you know about Sharla's great improvement in class discussions! She has gone from being very withdrawn and shy within the class to a girl who is showing confidence when speaking to the whole class and even assemblies."

"The children were captivated during the entire lesson. My heart lifted to see Sam so focused and enthused by your 'three-step technique'."

KS1 teachers, Manor Infant School, Barking

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Using an interactive story that explores bullying and helps children to develop empathy, Solid Ground is about working with small groups of targeted children who may have low self-esteem or behavioural difficulties.

duration: five-week programme comprising one weekly 45-minute session
audience: 15 children in the classroom
format: interactive storytelling and drama workshops

Testimonials

"I couldn't believe the maturity and deep-thinking that were reflected in the children's responses to the issues the story provoked."

J Meech - Year 1 teacher/SENCO, Village Infant School, Dagenham

"These sessions have been really worthwhile and a lovely assembly concluded them. Staff, parents and the Chair of Governors all gave positive feedback and were impressed by the children's involvement and skills in the assembly. Parents have reported of children talking about the work enthusiastically at home."

A Nash - Deputy Headteacher/SENCO, Grafton Infant School, Dagenham

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At the heart of the programme is a story that promotes creative and imaginative thinking and encourages active participation. The programme also develops emotional literacy and increases children's capacity for empathy.

duration: five-week programme comprising one weekly 45-minute session
audience: up to 30 children in the classroom
format: storytelling and drama

Testimonials

"The children were all very engaged in the sessions and really wanted to participate. They found it difficult to give imaginative responses at first but they got better with more practice."

"It allowed the children to use their imaginations, listening skills, concentration skills, memories and
role-playing."

Year 1 teachers, Middle Park Primary School, Greenwich

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A selection of stories specially written for five to seven-year olds, exploring key communication skills such as speaking, listening and literacy in an engaging and effective way.

duration: 60-minute sessions
audience: one class size
format: storytelling and drama

Also suited to KS2 pupils with SEN or Autism Spectrum Disorders

Listen to audio clip of Lottie Learns to Listen from Talking Tales by Clifford Oliver

Testimonial

"It greatly enhanced the speaking and listening targets of the National Curriculum, but could stand alone as an enriching activity."

KS1 teacher, Haughton Primary School, Cumbria

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Using live, interactive theatre, we invite young people to think about their choices and the consequences of their actions on the environment in a humorous and engaging way.

duration: 50 minutes
audience: from 90 up to 120 children
format: interactive Forum theatre performance

Also suitable for KS3

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The children are presented with a box of 'things': letters, pictures, objects - the seeds of a story. Throughout a series of workshops, they are helped to create a story of their own which is performed for parents, families, teachers and peers. Story Box Theatre is also designed to develop literacy skills by allowing children to experience a wide range of drama techniques, as well as helping them to understand story structures and characterisation. Through the process of creating a devised piece of theatre together, key speaking and listening skills are practised as the young people must effectively communicate and negotiate with their peers.

duration: five half-day sessions
audience: up to 30 children in the classroom
format: drama and story workshops

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duration: half-day
audience: one class size
format: interactive Forum theatre and drama workshops

Can be adapted to incorporate the transition from Year 6 primary to Year 7 secondary

Also suitable for KS3

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Especially for Years 5 and 6, Crossing the Line is a challenging new programme looking at the effects of drug and alcohol misuse. It opens a forum to explore feelings, attitudes, life-style, peer-pressure and choices.

duration: half-day
audience: up to two class size
format: interactive Forum theatre and drama workshops

Also suitable for KS3

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A scripted scenario is acted out which builds to a point of conflict between the characters. The audience are invited to work with the characters to help resolve their issues together, offering opportunity for reflection, advice and to understand different points of view from the same situation.

duration: 60 minutes
audience: from 90 up to 120 children
format: interactive Forum theatre performance

Can include a drama workshop with smaller group size

Also suitable for KS3

Testimonial

"I would like to thank you for doing such a great job at the Conflict Resolution Programmes. Every school, without exception, have highly rated your workshops and the way in which you role-play and interact with the students. In particular, I thought I would give you feedback on the Oak Lodge SEN School event ... 92% of the students gave you a thumbs up which you will agree is a huge success."

Sylvia Roberts - Project Manager, Barnet Education Business Partnership

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duration: 60 minutes
audience: from 90 up to 120 children in Years 5 and 6 only
format: interactive Forum theatre performance

Can include a drama workshop with smaller group size

Also suitable for KS3

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Using an interactive Forum theatre performance and practical drama sessions the focus of Strong Ties is on positive behaviour and finding alternatives to violence as well as learning new drama skills and participating in a practical session. The scenario for the performance looks at the relationship between cousins to highlight that it isn't always easy to avoid conflict with relatives and walking away may not be an option. The practical drama sessions focus on feelings and developing empathy amongst students.

duration: one day
audience: from 90 up to 120 children in Years 5 and 6 only
format: interactive Forum theatre performance workshops and teacher/staff INSET and meetings

Can include a drama workshop with smaller group size

Also suitable for KS3

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An effective new way to learn how to communicate confidently with peers and adults; to recognise when others need help and how to support them; to negotiate within relationships, understanding that actions have consequences and when and how to make compromises. Together we explore the nature of friendship and how to make and keep friends.

duration: 70 minutes
audience: from 90 up to 120 children
format: performance followed by interactive Forum theatre workshop

Can be accompanied by a drama workshop

Also suitable for KS3

Testimonial

"It was a brilliant, interactive, well-paced and structured performance. The children thought it was absolutely great. They really enjoyed being part of the performance and even the disruptive children were mesmerised. One of the actors was playing quite an aggressive character. When he asked the children for advice, he was told to take a deep breath, count to ten and listen to what the person is saying. This came from a child who often gets that advice from us!"

Maria Georgiou - Millfields Community School, Hackney

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