A Year of Storytelling in Schools

It’s been over a year since we expanded out of our amazing base in Future Youth Zone and started delivering storytelling programmes in schools across Barking and Dagenham. Since then we have run 5 full storytelling school programmes and are currently in the midst of two more. These programmes have taken us to The Jo Richardson Community School, Greatfields School, Riverside School and All Saints Catholic School and have meant engaging with 61 incredible young storytellers.

We have run programmes designed for those identified as low self-esteem, projects for those with SEND needs, programmes for those identified as needing positive pathways within school and programmes including a whole spectrum of students. We’ve worked with everyone from Year 7s to Year 13s and with Pastoral, SEND, EAL, English and extra-curricular departments within schools. What has united all these proejcts has been the conviction that every young person has a story to tell and deserves the opportunity to tell it.

Storytellers from our first school-based programme in The Jo Richardson Community School.

‘And now I am here, making a story of how I’ve improved. What I really want to be heard is that I’ve changed.’ Young Storyteller, Greatfields School

‘I’ve moved past people telling me how my story should go…’ Young Storyteller, Riverside School

‘Whether in conversation with peers or in the way they approach their learning, there’s a noticeable shift in how they express themselves and connect with others. It’s a change that feels deep-rooted - not just a reaction to a one-off experience, but the beginning of something lasting.’ Danny Watts, Head of Year, The Jo Richardson School

Getting the red carpet out for storytellers at Greatfields School.

We want to keep the stories flowing so, if you know a school in Barking and Dagenham or East London that would benefit from storytelling, don’t hesitate to reach out!