Sustainability – How Can We Support Schools and Commissioners Each New School Year?

If you're a school that books us year after year—thank you. We regularly hear from teachers who value how our Theatre in Education (TIE) programmes are refreshed annually while retaining the core elements. This consistency allows schools to embed our work within their PSHE, RSHE, and safeguarding curriculum.

Teachers also tell us they appreciate our high standards of delivery and the familiarity of our permanent, well-trained staff. These relationships work both ways—our team love returning to schools they know well. Likewise, to our commissioners who have funded our work over multiple years—thank you. In a climate of funding uncertainty and budget cuts, repeat commissioning helps both us and schools plan ahead. Familiarity with the process also means it becomes more efficient over time, making it easier to reach new cohorts each year.

“Our experience of working with Loudmouth on a repeated basis is that we get to understand one another’s needs more easily on each occasion through open and regular communication and transparency about expectations from the outset. We are really seeing the value of repeated commissioning. Schools recognise Loudmouth as a provider and have become familiar with the Theatre in Education package we offer and all it entails.”

Verity Wilde, Health Improvement Specialist (Children, Schools & Families), East Sussex Council

Making Funding Go Further Through 'Staircasing'

Repeat commissioning allows us to stretch funding further by gradually increasing schools’ financial contributions each year—a model we call 'staircasing'.

When we take on a commission from a funder—such as a council or PCC—we agree on a reasonable contribution for participating schools. These contributions help extend the funder’s budget, allowing us to reach more children and young people while supporting long-term sustainability.

For example, through our partnership with Dudley Council, we’ve been able to increase reach without additional spending. Over the past three years, despite the council’s funding remaining the same, we’ve increased the number of pupils reached by over 1,000 and delivered more than 20 additional sessions, thanks to this co-funding approach. Similar success stories have come from our work with Richmond and Wandsworth.

“I commission Loudmouth year in, year out. It enables more schools to take part in the productions through significantly reducing their outlay. It therefore reaches more pupils, having greater effect on knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviours. Annual evaluation reports are clear and demonstrate effect, enabling increased strategic buy-in from schools and the local authority. Sustainability ensures that schools repeatedly book the programmes year on year and that benefits to pupils continue as new pupils inform others of the lessons the programmes bring.”

Kate Jennings, Senior Public Health Lead, Richmond and Wandsworth Borough Councils

Preparing for Cuts with a Sustainable Model

As council budgets shrink, our reach is inevitably affected. But when schools are already accustomed to making a financial contribution—and when that amount increases gradually over time—they are much more likely to continue the work, even if external funding is reduced or removed.

A case in point is our long-standing delivery with the Umbrella sexual health service for Birmingham and Solihull, which began in 2015. In March 2024, due to Birmingham City Council’s cuts, we lost this commission. It was a devastating blow—not only to the young people missing out on vital sexual health education, but to us as an organisation. We were at risk of losing not only the council funding, but also the schools’ contributions—together making up around a fifth of our income.

However, there was a silver lining. Over the previous nine years, we had steadily increased the schools’ share of the cost—from 10% to around 40–50%. As a result, many schools were already committed to and familiar with funding the sessions. In the year following the cut, many Birmingham schools paid for the work entirely themselves, meaning we were able to continue delivering the vast majority of those vital sessions on relationships and sexual health.

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

We’re incredibly fortunate that both schools and commissioners recognise the impact of our work and want to maintain it for each new year group. If you're a school or commissioner and would love to bring our work into your setting—but are concerned about funding—please get in touch. We’ll work with you to explore how we can make it happen.

“Over the years, I have seen the impact that having Loudmouth for every new year group has had. It is vital to have Loudmouth as an outside company come in and deliver PSHE and RSHE sessions in a way our students can relate to, and which is accessible for all.”

Michelle Lucas, Assistant Head Teacher, Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls, Birmingham

Thank You to all our regular schools and funders. You are the reason we can continue to support children and young people to lead healthy, happy and safe lives. Your ongoing commitment ensures that impactful RSHE and safeguarding education reaches every new cohort.

Interested in commissioning a tour or building a long-term, sustainable partnership? Contact us at 0121 446 4880 or enquiry@loudmouth.co.uk – we’d love to chat.