The Story Exchange (2023 - 2025)
Empowering teachers and children through storytelling and creative partnership.
About the Project: Generously funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation’s Teacher Development Fund, this two year project aimed to aimed to support teachers in developing the necessary skills, knowledge, and confidence to provide space for improving emotional literacy and pupil voice in the classroom. Working together as co-enquirers, teachers and storytellers aimed to tackle the enquiry question: How can oral storytelling support teachers to improve emotional literacy?
Read below to discover our insights, findings and reflections.
This was a partnership project run by Oxygen and The Story Museum involving the wonderful;
5 Professional Storytellers from the Story Museum
14 Teachers from 7 schools in Oxfordshire
Professional Storytellers Adrienne Duggan, Peter Chand and Wendy Shearer
“‘I think people often confuse storytelling with reading, and it’s not the same, and it’s actually so much more powerful without the book. I actually can be more, you know, confident with it - I take ownership of it.’ ”
TEACHER SPOTLIGHT
Hear from one of our teachers, Jade Matthews from St Christopher’s School in Oxford talk about her experience of the project at the Teach Meet (hosted by Paul Hamlyn Foundation). Jade discusses and showcases the meaningful impact of oral storytelling in her teaching and in the classroom.
Read Our Project Report here!
Read our vibrant summary report to find out, what happened, who was involved, the methods we used and impact The Story Exchange made to teachers, children and our partnership.
Find out our tips and ideas for your setting, and how to embed art-based learning.
The Story Exchange Symposium!
On 2nd July 2025 Oxygen & The Story Museum are hosting an afternoon of cultural learning. Designed for teachers and education leaders, this event will offer research insights, practical tools from storytellers, and a chance to shape the conversation on storytelling and emotional learning. We will also be joined by renowned Storyteller Wendy Shearer.
Training and Project Resources!
During our project we have received training to support our work around Emotional literacy and Wellbeing. We hope the following resources, training films and resources will help you in your work with children and young people.
Coming soon - resources will be ready in July 2025
Find out our tips and ideas for your setting, and how to embed art-based learning.