Curriculum based learning
through drama
Welcome
At DramaShop, we’re passionate about making learning through drama an inspiring and impactful experience.
DramaShop offers both ‘Play in a Day’ and Storytelling Workshops where students have the opportunity to act out plays and stories in a unique performance created by them.
By the end of the day, they'll have a fantastic piece to show other pupils and parents and will have learnt a bunch of stuff too!
We have years of experience inspiring students through our drama programmes and would love for your school to see what it’s all about!
Our Workshops
Drama helps students understand subjects like History Geography, Science, English and PHSE in an immersive way, while also supporting their personal growth and social skills.
Designed for Key Stages 1–3 and Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), our ‘Play in a Day’ and Storytelling Workshops cover a wide range of subjects from ancient civilisations like the Greeks and Romans to topics like Online Safety and Bullying. The workshops can also be customised to fit what the students are learning each term.
Students engage in role-play and performance exercises that help them to explore and absorb the characters and themes of the chosen story or subject.
Download our latest ‘Play in a Day’ and Storytelling Workshops menus here;
The Benefits
The dynamic structure of ‘Play in a Day’ fosters adaptability, keeping students motivated to bring their best while quickly learning and delivering lines, actions, and story flow. This approach helps with memory retention and gives them practical experience in performing, speaking clearly, listening to direction, teamwork, and thinking on their feet.
Storytelling Workshops are a powerful tool for student development. They combine creativity, communication, and social skills, enhancing language abilities and critical thinking through improvisation, role play, and group activities. These workshops encourage students to explore different perspectives, solve problems creatively, and build empathy. As they step into various characters, students gain a respectful understanding of different periods of time, places around the world, and the way people live.
Learning through drama provides a unique, active experience that builds confidence and prepares students with a wide range of versatile skills they can apply across different subjects and future challenges.
DramaShop are here to help you create exciting and interactive experiences all year round!
Our Story
DramaShop founder Rebecca Courtney shares her journey from the very early days. Including her experience of being a Teletubby, to her love of Shakespeare, her acting, directing and VoiceOver work, founding other businesses, and the launch of her latest venture…
Testimonials
“ Rebecca brings life to a classroom…
…With high standards and highly skilled approaches, children grow in confidence, relationships, emotional intelligence and knowledge from the classics of Shakespeare to the Greeks, Vikings, Victorians and many more. Learning is experienced and embedded whilst the invaluable skills of theatre performance are taught excellently and taken with children to enhance their future lives and personal growth. Cannot recommend highly enough! ”
Hannah Melarangi
Head Teacher,
Castle View Primary School
What the children say…
What Ofsted says…
The school now employs a local actor to work with pupils for around 20 days a year. She spends several days working with all of the Key Stage 2 classes, sourcing Shakespeare texts or familiar stories such as Robin Hood. She also works with some of the younger children and often writes short plays specifically for them.
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1. What is a ‘Play in a Day’?A facilitator will bring in a script (heads up to Jeff Longmore for his brilliant writing) based on any given topic or theme and direct the children in a play they will perform for other students and/or parents at the end of the day.
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2. How long do the workshops typically last?The workshops last all day. However, for very young children (EYFS/Year 1), a half-day option is available using half a day for one class and half for another creating a whole day.
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3. How many students can participate in a Play in a Day or Storytelling Workshop?One class of up to 35 children is ideal to get the most out of the day. This can be made up of varying ages and abilities.
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4. How do you tailor the workshops to fit the curriculum?The content is highly bespoke and can be modified through discussions with the teacher. Each play or workshop is different depending on the participants and how they create the piece together.
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5. What age groups or key stages do you work with?Key Stage 1 and 2, and Early Years. Play in a Day however is more suited to Key Stage 2.
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6. What is the structure of the day?The children will work all day, ideally in the hall. Breaks and lunchtime will continue as normal or can be tailored to the day's needs. It's also possible to work in large classrooms if the furniture (tables and chairs) can be moved aside.
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7. What resources or space do we need to provide?A hall is ideal but not absolutely essential. The sessions can be adapted to suit the space available, but for a performance, a hall is typically the best setting.
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8. How does the performance at the end of the day work?The children perform about half an hour before the end of the school day to allow time for the audience to arrive and leave, and for any notices to be given, and for the children preparing to go home. Performances last around 15 minutes.
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9. What subjects can the workshops cover?All curriculum subjects can be covered, as well as many popular stories and traditional tales.
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10. How do the workshops support personal development?Drama builds confidence, improves speech and language skills, develops emotional intelligence, boosts creativity and problem-solving, encourages teamwork, supports physicality and fitness, and promotes stress relief and mindfulness.
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11. What qualifications or experience do the workshop leaders have?All practitioners are professionally trained actors and/or directors.
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12. What safety measures are in place?All practitioners have their own equity insurance and a full CRB check. A member of staff from the school should always be present during sessions. The health and safety guidance from the school will always be observed.
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13. How much does a ‘Play in a Day’ or workshop cost?We’re aware of the budget constraints schools are under and feel our prices are sensitive to this. Please get in touch to discuss our competitively priced services. Packages can be tailored accordingly. Discounted rates can apply.
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14. Can we book a workshop for a specific date or term?Absolutely! If there’s an available day, it’s yours!
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15. What happens if there are mixed abilities or needs in the group?This can be very beneficial. 'Play-in-a-Day' and Storytelling Workshops are a great exercise for all children, regardless of ability, to work together.