Speech Bubbles
Speech Bubbles is an award-winning drama intervention for children in key stage one. Designed and developed back in 2009, we are proud to say that as of September 2021, Speech Bubbles has now been established as an independent charity. We are now working in partnership to deliver the project across 8 Southwark and Lewisham primary schools.
In 2021, London Bubble proudly launched Speech Bubbles as its own independent charity and it now reaches more areas across the country than ever before. If you are interested in booking the programme for a school outside of Southwark or Lewisham please contact the national Speech Bubbles charity.
Supporting children to develop communication, confidence and wellbeing
A weekly drama programme taking place in school time, Speech Bubbles is designed to give children an opportunity to have fun telling stories and acting them out. The programme has a particular emphasis on supporting children to gain confidence and develop their physical and verbal communication skills.
Increasing numbers of children are starting school life with communication difficulties. 10% of children and young people in the UK, a total of 1.4 million, have a speech, language, and communication need (SLCN). However in areas of disadvantage this figure increases, with up to 50% of children starting school speech and language skills that are significantly less developed than those of other children of the same age.
In Speech Bubbles sessions drama practitioners and school staff create a safe and playful space for children in KS1 to develop their communication and social skills. A story drama approach places the child at the centre of the activity, and they become at different times, author, performer and audience.
A recent evaluation revealed that teachers had noticed improvements back in class in 81% of children involved in Speech Bubbles. The project has been the subject of several formal research projects, more details about our evidence rich approach are available on the national Speech Bubbles website.
Speech Bubbles and Artsmark
Speech Bubbles can also be a part of schools’ work towards Artsmark. London Bubble is proud to be working in partnership with schools and settings on their Artsmark Award journey. By supporting Artsmark settings, we’re helping put the arts at the heart of education, inspiring young people to create, experience and participate in high quality arts and culture.
Growth of the project
In 2021, London Bubble proudly launched Speech Bubbles as its own independent charity and it now reaches more areas across the country than ever before. If you are interested in booking the programme for a school outside of Southwark or Lewisham please contact the national Speech Bubbles charity.
- Satisfaction
- behaviour improvement
- communication
of teachers report being satisfied with children’s social skills improving by the end of the programme.
children were reported to have shown improvments in emotion and conduct behaviour in 2018 – 2019.
of children showed improvments in speaking, listening and learning in 2020 – 2021 despite the programme being shutdown due to the pandemic.
I would like Speech Bubbles in my school
London Bubble runs Speech Bubbles in Southwark and Lewisham, to discuss bringing the programme to your school in these areas please contact emma@londonbubble.org.uk or call 0207 237 4434.