StoryACTION

Storytelling and Drama in Primary Schools

StoryACTION brings creativity into learning using drama games,
improvisation and fun with Shakespeare’s texts and myths.

BSc(Hons) London
Social Studies Oxford

164 Ilbert Street
London W10 4QD
020 8964 1559
diana@storyaction.org.uk

I am an experienced primary school teacher and have studied myths and fairytales for a long time. I lecture in Depth Psychology and the Meaning of Fairytales at Birkbeck College, London University.

I am a member of the Sesame Institute (Central School of Speech and Drama) where I did a course of drama and movement in therapy.

What time with StoryACTION will do for your school

StoryACTION is for all children but most suitable for 7 year olds and upwards
half day or whole day rate adjusted to size of group and number of sessions
copies of stories and suggestions for follow up work in writing and art provided for each session
four different year groups can be fitted into a single day

Choose your programme :

fairytale and myths, Shakespeare or a combination
A day with the Ancient Greeks will fit in with KS2 projects

Most suitable for 7 year olds upwards

Why stories are important

"All stories teach - they teach the world we create. They teach the morality we live by. They teach it much more effectively than moral principles and instructions. We don't need lists of rights and wrongs, tables of dos and don'ts - we need books, time and silence. 'Thou shalt not' is soon forgotten - but 'once upon a time' lasts for ever."

Philip Pullman 1996
His Dark Materials Trilogy

Myths - Legends - Folktales

help the process towards greater literacy

Shakespeare and Improvisations

kindle an early and spontaneous delight in language
explore human predicaments and expand moral awareness

What teachers and children say about StoryACTION

"Myths and legends were made to come alive. Excellent story telling skills. Superbly presented"
English teacher, Norwich High Scholl for Girls

"Before I didn't really understand much about Shakespeare. Afterwards I really understood the way he wrote"
Pupil

"Someone was crowned and there was a ghost ... We would give it 8 out of 10, nothing needed improving"
Class 6, Tetherdown Primary School, North London

"The pupils were really motivated by Diana's enthusiasm"
English teacher, Elseley Primary School, Wembley, Middlesex

"I really liked Romeo and Juliet and all the love problems"
9 year old pupil, Gujarat, India

What I Offer

Negotiable fees
Four year groups can be fitted into a day.
Half days also work well.
If distance permits – I live in London – one session (an hour and a half) can be arranged.
Choose your programme
- Shakespeare or a combination.
- A session with the Ancient Greeks.
Copies of stories and suggestions for follow up work in wiring and art.