Society for Storytelling
USING STORYTELLERS IN SCHOOLS
USING STORYTELLERS
IN SCHOOLS
Compiled by Tina Bilb
NATIONAL STORYTELLING WEEK is always the first week in February.
Schools often ask for more information about storytellers and this Factsheet
has been produced to address questions asked over the years.
WHAT IS A STORYTELLER?
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A storyteller is an artist, an entertainer and an educator. Storytelling is
one of the most ancient art forms, stretching back for as long as
humans have had speech.
A storyteller uses words to take you on a journey of the imagination.
Each person will hear something different as the story is created in the
space between the teller and the listener.
Storytellers may tell traditional folk tales, written tales, anecdotes, urban
myths, stories from history, religious or moral tales, stories they have
created themselves or which have been created for a specific event.
Some storytellers will create a story spontaneously to suit the audience.
A storyteller tells stories from memory rather than reading them from the
book, memorising stories image by image not word for word.
Storytellers may tell a story differently each time they tell it, interacting
with their audience, choosing stories and images to communicate with
them.
Some storytellers use music, dance, song, pictures or puppets.
Many storytellers offer workshop sessions, which
may either teach storytelling skills or engage participants in creative
activities linked to the stories.
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WHAT CAN A STORYTELLER DO FOR A SCHOOL?
Inviting people into school creates a special atmosphere whoever they are.
Storytellers, authors, poets or illustrators all provide excitement and
stimulation and are in great demand during National Storytelling Week in
February, National Book Week and National Poetry Day in the autumn.
What is special about storytellers and storytelling?
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Storytelling supports and underpins literacy development across the
curriculum. A storyteller can improve concentration, listening skills and
help develop and enrich spoken and written language.
A storyteller can stimulate the imagination, contributing to Speaking and
Listening as well as Creative Writing, Poetry, Drama, Music and Art.
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Hearing and retelling traditional tales can provide scaffolding for
childrens own imaginative stories, giving the child a variety of
frameworks to work from.
Storytelling encourages a questioning attitude.
A storyteller can create excitement and enthusiasm for History,
Geography and Religious Studies as well as English language,
literature and Drama.
Some storytellers have stories which connect with the Maths and
Science curriculum.
A storyteller can widen the range of childrens emotional, cultural and
moral responses.
Sensitive issues can be considered through the distancing frame of a
story.
Storytelling builds bridges across and within communities. Some
storytellers have been involved in organising projects linking a school
with the rest of the community.
A storyteller can teach storytelling skills to pupils, raising their selfconfidence. This has been proved especially effective with low
achievers. Older children can tell to younger, benefiting both groups by
building the self-esteem of the older children and providing positive role
models to the younger.
Some storytellers can provide other types of workshop sessions. These
can help inspire childrens creativity through a range of follow-up
activities, building on the fundamental base of all language, the spoken
word.
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CHECKLIST OF THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN
BOOKING
A STORYTELLER
With an ever-increasing variety of storytellers to choose from, how do you find
those who will suit you? Whatever event you are planning, give yourself
plenty of time. Many popular storytellers are booked up months in advance.
Have a clear idea of the sort of event you want:
Is this to be a one-off event or a residency?
Do you want a performance or a workshop?
What age groups will be involved? Will the ages be mixed?
Have any of them special needs the storyteller should be aware of?
Are you looking for stories on a particular theme or from a specific
culture?
Will it be formal or relaxed, a performance in front of the whole school
or working with smaller groups?
How many sessions will there be?
How long do you want each session to be?
How much audience participation do you want?
What venue are you planning to use?
Do you require the storyteller to work outdoors?
When you have an idea of the sort of event you are aiming for:
Look in the quick reference section of the Directory of Storytellers, note
those who meet your requirements.
Look in the County listing to see which storytellers are local to you.
Look through the Directory and pick out storytellers who you like the
sound of.
Phone the storytellers on your short-list to discuss your needs, they
may be able to give you more ideas about what you could do or help
you modify your plans.
Ask what they charge and if this includes travelling expenses.
Expect to pay at least as much as you would for a supply teacher.
Ask if they are available on the dates you want.
Ask for a couple of references from people for whom they have done
similar work.
You do not have to make a firm booking at this stage.
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When you have decided which Storyteller you want to book:
Phone to confirm they are still free and are willing to come.
Write to confirm date, time, place and fee.
If you are sent a contract please complete and send it back in good
time.
Include a map and a timetable.
If you have discussed a potential booking with a storyteller, and decided
not no employ them, please contact them in good time so they can
release the date for other bookings.
GETTING THE BEST FROM YOUR STORYTELLER
Having any artist, writer, poet or storyteller come into school is an expense
and you want your moneys worth. How do you ensure success on the day?
When you are planning the event:
Choose a venue where the storyteller and audience will not be
disturbed.
Think about how you will set up the space so the audience can sit in
comfort and see the storyteller clearly. If there is to be a workshop ask
the storyteller how they want the room set out. Discuss with the
storyteller how long each session is to be.
The week before:
Phone the storyteller to ensure that they have received your
confirmation, map, timetable etc. Ask if there is anything they will need
you to provide on the day. Will they be requiring lunch and if so do they
have any special dietary requirements? Confirm arrangements for
payment.
If they are coming by public transport check to see if they need
collecting from the station and when their train arrives.
Tell the children there will be a storyteller coming into school next week
and start building a little excitement about the event.
On the day:
Most schools now have the Reception clearly marked, but in a large
school it might be an idea to have a pupil keep a lookout to escort the
storyteller.
When they arrive show them where they will be working, offer them a
drink, ask if they need help carrying anything from their car.
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Before they start make sure they have a glass of water, know
where the toilets and staff room are, check if there is anything else they
need.
Ensure you are ready to start on time, late starts mean less time for the
stories.
If you are introducing the teller check how they want to be introduced
and how to pronounce their name, many storytellers are happy to
introduce themselves.
Show the children that you value the storytellers work by listening with
them. Please do not use this time to do other work as children will use
you as a role model for their behaviour in a performance setting.
Do not leave the storyteller alone with the children, it is difficult to tell
and supervise. This also ensures you are complying with the Child
Protection Act.
Avoid interruptions during the session as this can spoil the magic.
At break times, if the storyteller has joined you in the staff room, ensure
they are included in the conversation.
Afterwards:
Give the storyteller some feedback - what went well, any concerns. The
children might like to write, telling the storyteller which stories they liked.
Ensure payment is sent promptly.
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NURSERY SCHOOLS
Many Nursery Schools wish to book a storyteller for a very brief session.
To employ a professional storyteller for an hour may cost as much as
employing them for half a day unless you organise other work for them.
Co-operation with other Schools and Nurseries in your area is the key to
getting the time you want at a price you can afford.
Give yourself plenty of time to organise the event.
Talk to other schools, nurseries and playgroups in your area to
discover which of them is interested in sharing a storyteller with you.
If you are lucky you may find a nearby Primary School who is
interested in filling the rest of the day.
Contact those who have expressed an interest with a list of possible
dates, ask them how long a session they would like and to list a first
second and third choice if possible.
From this information work out which is the best date and work out a
timetable, remembering to allow travelling time. If there is a lot of
interest you might even fill two days.
Send a copy of your proposed timetable to each of the participating
schools and amend it where needed.
Find storytellers who tell to pre-school children in the Directory of
Storytellers. Look at their entries and locations.
Contact the storytellers who seem to best fit your needs, tell them
what you are planning and ask them to give you a price for the work,
including travel. If you can speak to them on the phone you will get a
good idea about whether they will suit you.
Having chosen your storyteller, contact the other schools and
confirm the amount they will be asked to contribute, you might add a
small admin fee for your time. Ask them to pay you in advance if
possible so you have the money in the bank when you write the
cheque for the storyteller.
Phone the storyteller and confirm they are still free on that date.
Send a confirmation letter to the storyteller enclosing a map of where
they will be working and a timetable. A simple contract setting out
date, times, places and fee, with an sae will enable the storyteller to
confirm the arrangements quickly.
If you have discussed a potential booking with a storyteller and
decided not to employ them, please contact them in good time so
they can release the date for other bookings.
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If you need any more assistance in finding a storyteller contact the
administrator at the Society for Storytelling, www.sfs.org.uk
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