Let's Play

Embed drama and creativity in your school across the curriculum with support from the National Theatre.

Let's Play

**What is Let's Play?**

Let’s Play is a series of creative learning projects, resources and teacher CPD opportunities for UK primary schools which place drama and creativity at the heart of the curriculum and teaching practice. Whether you are an NQT or an experienced teacher or senior leader who has been responsible for the school play for years, Let’s Play has something to offer you.

What will my school get as a Let’s Play member?

Let’s Play is perfectly placed to support your school to gain Arts Award. Find out how.

Support with Drama and Performance

Let’s Play will support you and your staff to create outstanding theatre performances in your school - whether for an end of term school production, a shorter topic-based performance for assembly or simply to support learning in the classroom. You will get unlimited access to:

Playscripts (with songs and music) for KS1 and KS2 children to perform
Cross-curricular creative learning schemes of work linked to each playscript
CPD training opportunities in every aspect of creating performance in school
Clear and simple toolkits providing guidance on using drama across the curriculum.

Professional Development for Teaching staff

Let’s Play will support staff professional development with access to CPD sessions and courses, both online and in person, with a focus on:

Developing a creative approach to learning across the curriculum
Different aspects of theatre-making within a primary school context
Planning, preparing and rehearsing your school production
Personal impact for teachers

Digital Resources

Educational films for pupils on different aspects of theatre and theatre making and jobs in theatre.
Films for teachers demonstrating creative learning techniques.
Films supporting teachers with the common challenges of creating theatre with children.

What impact will Let’s Play have in my school?

For Teahcers:

Teachers learn simple and effective ways to create high-quality performances and use drama as a tool for learning.
Teachers develop a deep understanding of creative learning, and how to apply those skills in their teaching practice across the curriculum
Teachers discover tools to maximise their personal impact in the classroom.

For Pupils:

The creative learning approach allows pupils with a range of learning styles and abilities an opportunity to succeed and to enjoy learning.
Pupils gain confidence, self-esteem and core skills such as empathy, team work and leadership.
Pupils learn to be creative problem solvers.
Pupils have an opportunity to gain an Arts Award

If you have any questions about Let’s Play, please email us [email protected]

How do I join Let's Play?

Access to the whole programme costs just £250 per academic year.
Significantly discounted places are available for schools who meet certain criteria – please email us on the address below for more information.
To sign up for Let’s Play please email [email protected]

Teacher Testimonials

'I had no confidence or experience prior to the course. I'm leaving with ideas that form a framework or what I want to achieve and how I'll achieve it.'

‘I was really excited about putting my new knowledge of theatre-making into practice after the CPD. I felt much more confident about approaching the rehearsal process as a result of it.’

‘Having a class novel which turned into a topic, which then led to a production worked brilliantly for the children. It was truly inclusive, with a role for all abilities in the process.’

‘The children have learned to work together as a team with a real consideration for each other. They have been very focused and have become notably better at problem-solving within the group.’

Let’s Play is based on an original idea by Katie Mitchell.

The National Theatre's Partner for Learning is Bank of America

Let’s Play is supported by The Mohn Westlake Foundation, Buffini Chao Foundation, The Hearn Foundation, The Derrill Allatt Foundation, The Casey Trust, The Goldsmiths' Company Charity, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Susan Miller and Byron Grote, The Sampimon Trust, Mave Turner and David Dutton, Archie Sherman Charitable Trust and Charlotte and Simon Warshaw.

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