National Storytelling Week

Resource type: Event

Price band: £

Key stage: KS1, KS2, KS3

Region(s): All of UK

National Storytelling Week was set up to celebrate the practice and value of oral storytelling. It takes place during the first week of February and in 2023 runs from 28th January – 5th February.

National Storytelling Week is run by the Society for Storytelling, who provide a number of supporting resources. These include:

National Storytelling Week resource packs for KS1, KS2 and KS3 that include story games, advice from established storytellers on how to develop and tell a story, links to audio tracks and videos.
A directory of storytellers for in-school events.

Cost: Resource packs are available on request for a small discretionary donation. Charges for in-school visits from storytellers will vary.

About the Society for Storytelling: The Society for Storytelling is a charity that exists to support and promote oral storytelling in the UK.

Further resources:

Explore the different ‘ingredients’ that go into a fairy story or traditional tale and let primary pupils ‘Cook Up Their Own Fairy Tale’ with this creative literacy project from the British Library that includes a free interactive workshop with Michael Rosen and Viviane Schwarz on Wednesday 8th February.
The National Literacy Trust has a range of resources and activities for all ages to celebrate National Storytelling Week, including a free online event with professional storyteller Wendy Shearer for KS1 and KS2 pupils on January 30th at 10.30am and a webinar for KS3 and KS4 pupils with the team behind the You’re Dead To Me podcast on February 1st.
Join the Story Seekers in their mission to collect and share stories from around the world. The Story Seekers is a free oracy and creative literacy project for pupils aged 6-11 created by the National Theatre and the Unicorn Theatre in partnership with CLPE. The six-week project will run each term of the academic year 2022/23. Sign up by February 10th for this Spring Term.
Find suggested activities to help pupils of all ages improve their storytelling skills from Scottish Book Trust here.
For schools interested in hosting a storyteller, Authors Aloud and Authors Abroad can also help schools find a storyteller to match their needs.
The Whole Story is a free resource from LGfL – National Grid for Learning that explores how storytelling can be incorporated across the curriculum, using tips and advice from a professional storyteller.
Find more resources for primary and secondary schools to support National Storytelling week on the BBC website here.