Theatre in Education

Theatre in Education is an educational approach that uses theatre and drama to engage students. It goes beyond traditional classroom lessons by enabling students to learn about certain topics through the issues raised in the theatre performance. The performance and related activities make learning exciting, memorable and meaningful.

Secondary schools across East Sussex are offered Theatre in Education packages coordinated by East Sussex County Council twice a year. These packages aim to enhance the learning that children receive through their PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic) education in school.

The programme involves age-appropriate theatre performances and Lessons  delivered to pupils before and after the performance, as part of their usual PSHE curriculum. This allows schools to deliver optional activities where pupils explore questions about the performance and consider different scenarios from the drama.

Theatre in Education research

During spring 2025, the Theatre in Education package focused on drug, alcohol and tobacco education. A theatre performance called ‘Time Out’ by Solomon Theatre Company was offered to all secondary schools.

East Sussex County Council worked with the University of Brighton and local schools to evaluate what works well and what could be improved about the Theatre in Education package. This research was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Innovation Fund to Reduce Demand for Illicit Substances (Phase 2).

The aim of the research was to understand how drama productions change knowledge and attitudes of illegal drug use and how they might impact on young people’s ability to make informed decisions.

Visit: Theatre in education research to read about how we carried out the research and what we learned, as well as to download a guide we developed based on the findings - Spotlight on Theatre in Education: A practical guide for commissioners and educators on designing and delivering impactful programmes that help young people to stay healthy, safe and well.

Information for those taking part in the research remains available below, including various information sheets and privacy notices.

Spotlight on Theatre in Education: launch of a practical guide to support PSHE education

On Thursday 11 December 2025, 3.30-4.30pm, a webinar will be taking place to launch and introduce a new guide which draws on the learning from the research.  The guide aims to assist commissioners and educators to design and deliver impactful programmes that help young people to stay healthy, safe and well. The webinar is open to all. It will be especially relevant for:

  • those working in local authorities with responsibility for planning and commissioning PSHE education support or drug prevention
  • school management and teaching staff with responsibility for PSHE education or safeguarding
  • those with an interest in research and evaluation of school-based programmes for health and wellbeing.

To attend the webinar, which will take place on Microsoft Teams, contact Ruth Simister .

Attend the webinar [59.7 KB] [ics]

Information sheets

Privacy notices

Related content