story performances with exhibitions

What teachers said about The Tree of Life...

“A fantastic way for teachers to develop story writing. It inspires the children… Amazing and varied resources to develop their imagination.”
“As predicted it was fab! I was amazed that 5 year olds sat still for an hour.”
“Brilliant day! The children enjoyed the day and it covered many curriculum areas in an exciting way. Excellent inset for teachers too!”
“Helps children to create own images rather than always being given them (e.g. TV, films).”
“Allowed the children to fly with their imaginations.”
“Useful for children who find writing difficult as it is a far more practical way of introducing ideas.”
“Visual and sensual materials benefited autistic children.”
“Kept the children with Asperger’s completely engaged and focused.”
“Non-writing boys were particularly involved.”
“All children regardless of behaviour or ability were involved.”
“The children who normally mess about were totally transfixed as were the rest of us!”
“Really benefits the less able, engaging them more with the story and consolidating.”
“Especially good for Muslim children who have been delighted to point out things familiar to them and their families.”

What the children said...

“I liked it a lot. Please come back.”
“It really made me think I was in Iraq.”
“I really loved the museum because of the fact that you get to smell, touch and listen to things. I thought it was really fun and interesting.”
“I liked it when the black horse came out of the sky.”
“I like the storytelling because it gave me my biggest imagination.”
“I think it was 10 out of 10 because you could imagine what was happening in your head clearly.”
“I will definitely tell the story to my family.”
“It was really cool to be able to go round and interact with the story that we were told because it really brought the story to life.”

Click here for full texts of evaluations of The Tree of Life.

Tree of Life pilot schools: May – November 2006

Edward Feild Primary School, Kidlington
Standlake C of E Primary School, Witney
Shiplake C of E Primary School, Shiplake
St Michael’s C of E Primary School, Oxford
Sibford Gower Endowed Primary School, Banbury
Dashwood Community School, Banbury
St Thomas Moore Catholic Primary School, Kidlington
Deddington C of E Primary School, Deddington
St Leonard’s C of E Primary School, Banbury
Bishop Loveday C of E Primary School, Banbury
Bayards Hill Primary School, Oxford
Shenington C of E Primary School, Banbury
The Cherwell School, Oxford
The Grange Community Primary School, Banbury
Wood Farm Primary School, Oxford
Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School, Oxford
St Francis C of E Primary School, Oxford
Church Cowley St James C of E Primary School, Oxford
SS Mary & John C of E Primary School, Oxford
East Oxford Primary School, Oxford
Larkrise Primary School, Oxford
St Christopher’s C of E Primary School, Oxford
Rose Hill Primary School, Oxford