Opinion with Lisa Stephenson and Dr Tom Dobson

Drama and theatre have had a rollercoaster existence in curriculum policy, often side-lined as a non-academic subject – the poor relation of reading and writing. Yet, as any teachers and artists know, the making of stories together offers a rich and fertile ground for knowledge generation and making meaning.

Children can draw upon their lived experiences as they make, tell and listen to stories; they can explore their hopes, fears and aspirations together. The learning and experiences gained from drama give children the opportunity to ‘rehearse’ possible futures together. This is challenging and necessary work, and has never been so important as children face the challenges of an even more uncertain future.

Story Makers Company was created in 2017 by Lisa Stephenson to promote the use of creative learning in education and amplify the experiences of diverse children. Our research in schools highlights the ways that drama can enable a sense of positive wellbeing and agency for children, enabling them to see themselves as active citizens. If the central purpose of education is to equip young people to make positive futures together, then we believe drama and theatre should have a central role in learning.

That's why we're excited about our latest Erasmus-funded Project, DEAPS (Developing Educators’ Artistic Practices in Schools). DEAPS promotes the work of drama practitioners in six countries in Europe, opening up a trans-European perspective on creativity. Our Icelandic partners, for example, enjoy a national curriculum where creativity is one of the core pillars of education: drama underpins learning!

DEAPS will bring the skills and knowledge of artist educators into the classroom through the creation of resources for primary and secondary school teachers, teacher educators and parents. The heart of the work aims to ensure that children of all backgrounds have the opportunity to engage in creative learning. We will also produce new research into the mental health benefits of creative learning for young people.

Now is the time to reclaim the potential of drama as a fertile ground for learning; now is the time for education to provide

www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/research/story-makers-company