Can you tell us what the Storyhouse Schools Programme is and a bit about your role as a Learning Practitioner? 

The Storyhouse schools programme allows us to work collaboratively with schools and education providers across the region, bringing all subjects across the curriculum to life through a variety of creative means. 

We support our wonderful partner schools and education providers in delivering a broad and balanced curriculum by developing bespoke workshops with them, focussing on creativity and encouraging young people to enact agency and problem-solving in their learning. We believe that positive engagement with culture is so important to all, and the schools programme helps us to reach as many young people as possible. There’s even an opportunity to gain qualifications through the Arts Award scheme! No two days are ever the same – just the way I like it! 

 

Tell us about one of your current workshops? 

One of my recent projects has been a 6-week dive into The Vikings with year 4 at Our Lady Star of the Sea in Ellesmere Port. The young people were challenged to create their own Viking settlement in 902 AD, taking their historical curricular knowledge and administering it practically to a series of tasks. What building materials would we be able to find? Where would be a good place to build our village? How are we going to sustain ourselves? 

 

Tell us a bit about yourself, your background, and how you arrived at this career? 

I am originally from Preston and have had a passion for the arts since childhood. I studied Creative Writing and Drama at Liverpool John Moores University, and my degree included a work experience module that I undertook at Lancashire Youth Performing Arts. There, I began working with young people for the first time and it soon became clear that creative learning was the vocation for me. I’ve been fortunate enough to do so, in a variety of guises, ever since – that was over 10 years ago! 

 

What schools are you currently working in? 

Personally, I currently work with Our Lady Star of the Sea on a weekly basis, as well as a variety of schools across Cheshire via our partnership with Passion for Learning. I also work with other schools on a semi-regular basis, such as Grosvenor Park Primary Academy. We’re really excited to welcome new partner schools from September onwards and can’t wait to work with more young people across the county and beyond! 

 

What is your favourite thing about your job? 

The people. Be it my Storyhouse colleagues, the teachers and support staff in schools or, most importantly, the young people I work with, my days are always brightened by those around me. I love working with the hundreds of young people we engage with over the course of a school year, and there’s nothing more satisfying that sharing a ‘penny drop moment’ with students and bringing a smile to their faces. 

 

Our learning practitioners are always looking for new schools to work with. If you are on a PTA committee or work at a school and would like the Storyhouse Schools Programme to come to your school, please get in touch with Jacob directly via the email jacob.maudsley@storyhouse.com  or email learning@storyhouse.com to organise a consultation.