Tom's Story is a Theatre in Education [TIE] project created by Indefinite Article.
Tom's Story is targeted primarily for young people, but also the parents, teachers, youth workers, health, social and care workers that engage with and support young people as they move from childhood through adolescence and on to adulthood.
Tom's Story has been created to support schools in the delivery of the broad learning objectives of the PSHE [Personal, Social and Health Education] and SRE [Sex Relationships Education] curriculum at key stage four and to colleges of further education in supporting tutorial, pastoral and life skills provision.
Tom's Story explores a number of issues relevant to young people: relationships, sexuality, peer pressure, bullying, decision making, exploitation, grooming and the early warning signs of dangerous relationships.
A performance of Tom's Story acts as a springboard for conversations and discussions around relevant issues for young people. A performance lasts 45 minutes and is followed by a further 45 minute interactive workshop where audience members can meet the characters and the actors playing them to explore and discuss what they have seen in the story.
Furthermore, the production is accompanied by resource pack so that teachers can undertake preparatory work prior to the performance, and deliver themed sessions across the entire curriculum in the days and weeks following the performance.
A tour of Tom's Story to nine secondary schools in Southampton was concluded in July 2015 and was supported by the local safeguarding board and professionals from The Star Project [The education and outreach wing of Southampton Rape Crisis] who were on hand at each performance to co-facilitate the
post-performance workshop and provide support to schools.
Jem Rycraft - Director
