In partnership with London Bubble and working alongside M6 Theatre company and Peoplescape Theatre, Oldham Theatre Workshop deliver the innovative Speech Bubbles programme in primary schools across Greater Manchester.
Supporting children to develop communication, confidence and wellbeing
Increasing numbers of children are starting school life with communication problems. The evidence gathered by the Communication Trust suggests that as many as 50% of children in areas of disadvantage have speech and language skills that are significantly less developed than those of other children of the same age.
In Speech Bubbles sessions drama practitioners and school staff create a safe and playful space for children in KS1 to develop their communication skills. A story drama approach places the child at the centre of the activity, and they become at different times, author, performer and audience. Our Theory of Change illustrates the outcomes Speech Bubbles leads to.
Speech Bubbles was developed in partnership with the Southwark Pupil Development Centres in 2009 and is now available to primary schools across Southwark, Lewisham, Lambeth and Greenwich with London Bubble and in Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Enfield, Tunbridge Wells, Oldham, Rochdale and Manchester with our partner organisations.
A recent evaluation revealed that 88% of children participating in Speech Bubbles showed an improvement in learning, speaking and listening and 90% showed behavioural improvements.
If you are a school and are interested in finding out more about Speech Bubbles please contact Craig Harris on 0161 770 3231 or craig.harris@oldham.gov.uk
