Polka Theatre has launched a new two-year teacher development programme exploring the impact of drama on oracy skills for pupils.
The new drama project, Talking Tales, will support Key Stage 1 teachers to strengthen their students’ speaking and listening skills, particularly targeting those disproportionately affected by the pandemic.
The scheme will run from September 2024 to July 2026, focusing on developing practice for teachers and senior leadership teams in six primary schools in the borough of Merton, Kingston and Ealing.
The programme will assist those involved with a combination of teacher CPD sessions, practitioner-led drama workshops for pupils, teacher resource packs and mentoring and support teams.
Polly Simmonds, head of Creative Learning at Polka, said, ‘We're delighted to be a part of round seven of the Teacher Development Fund. We are looking forward to working with our partner schools and teachers to explore the impact of drama on raising oracy skills.
‘Despite its emphasis in the National Curriculum, oracy – or speaking and listening – is no longer examined at any stage in the English education system. With the pressures placed on schools and teachers to achieve results in all examined areas, it is no surprise that oracy has fallen by the wayside.’
Head teacher Michael Bradley said, ‘There is a significant majority of children coming into school with low levels of language development. This has an impact on the children's readiness for the National Curriculum in Year 1. Drama gives children confidence to have a voice. Developing oracy is therefore a constant focus. It is not something that is ever 'finished'.’
The programme is supported by Paul Hamlyn Foundation through the Teacher Development Fund.