Putting on a Pageant 1578: Teacher Training

Putting on a Pageant 1578: Entertaining Queen Elizabeth I in Norwich (PoP)

This is a new primary school literacy support programme which draws upon research conducted for the ‘Accessing the Records of Early English Drama in Norwich, 1540-1642’ research project led by Prof. Matthew Woodcock of the School of Literature, Drama & Creative Writing at UEA. The project was funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and delivered in partnership with the Forum Trust, Norwich.

This 12-week programme focuses on the extraordinary visit by Queen Elizabeth I to Norwich in August 1578, an occasion of colourful city-wide pageantry, festivity, and entertainments of many kinds.

The Programme

The methodology used in the PoP programme is inspired by Royal Historic Palaces ‘Curious Stories’. It is a blended approach of Pie Corbett’s Talk for Writing with immersive storytelling in a method termed ‘Structured Stories through Immersive Adventures’. The PoP programme includes expert led in-class sessions, a full set of aims, objectives, lesson plans, and lots of free resources and support throughout the 12 weeks.

Combining ‘Structured Stories through Immersive Adventures’ and original 16th century source material, the PoP programme will act as a springboard for student story sharing and creation, recollection and storytelling across Primary Key Stages. This approach makes use of story maps, drama techniques, movement, object handling, and craft to stimulate imagination, confidence and active participation.

To truly embed the PoP programme approach, we ask that parents and carers of your pupils become involved with a part of the programme called ‘Explore More at Home’ which will involve short, simple activities as ‘homework’ as well as 3 exciting parent/carer and child ‘half day’ sessions led by the PoP team of experts. By fostering a joint school-home project there will be an increased use of the pupil’s imagination, confidence and self-esteem, language development and improved parent/child/school interaction. The ‘Explore More at Home’ programme comes with ready prepared letters to parents/carers and guidance for them.

Teacher Training Workshop

The Putting on a Pageant Team will present short informative sessions throughout the day to familiarise you with the programme. This essential training will help you to implement the programme in your classroom with templates, story maps and activities. It will include an introduction to the project methodology. You'll also be working with David Farmer from Drama Resource to learn drama games for literacy and how to produce a short performance called Titania and Oberon Whoosh.

Lunch and refreshments will be provided.