What 5,000 teachers and school staff told us about what makes RSHE work

Loudmouth evaluates each session with the staff. These surveys allow teachers to feedback on how they found the work and the use of theatre to support their RSHE. Here we look at a breakdown from 5,050 evaluations completed by teachers and other education professionals following our theatre-based RSHE sessions between September 2021 and July 2026. The responses cover all key stages and 14 different theatre in education programmes on subjects including personal safety, healthy relationships, exploitation, online safety, sexual harassment and domestic abuse.

The figures were striking:

• 99.4% rated the theatre based approach as excellent or above average
• 99.8% would recommend this approach to RSHE to other schools or organisations
• 95.5% reported a high or considerable impact on pupils
• 84.4% reported a high or considerable impact on staff

The written comments also revealed some consistent lessons about how the use of theatre with RSHE connects with students.

Make it feel real

Staff repeatedly said that realistic characters and situations helped pupils connect classroom learning with their own lives.

“The messages were clear and used real-life circumstances the children can relate to. Everything was relayed in a sensitive way which made the children feel safe.” - Class Teacher, Wimbledon Park Primary School

RSHE can sometimes feel abstract, particularly when it relies heavily on information or hypothetical questions. Seeing a situation develop allows pupils to recognise behaviour, consider the choices being made and explore what could happen next.

Create some distance from the subject

Talking directly about relationships, safety or abuse can feel uncomfortable. Drama creates a degree of distance by allowing pupils to begin with the experiences of a fictional character.

“They can talk about it as the characters, not themselves.”- Pastoral Support, Rugby High School

This gives pupils a safer way into the conversation. They can discuss whether a character’s relationship is healthy, identify warning signs or suggest where the character could find help without having to reveal anything about their own experiences. This principle can be used beyond theatre. Case studies, stories and carefully designed scenarios can all help pupils explore sensitive issues without feeling personally exposed.

Give pupils something memorable to refer back to

Teachers frequently used words such as “memorable”, “powerful”, “engaging” and “relatable” in their feedback.

“We will definitely refer back to this as it was so memorable for the children.” - Deputy Headteacher, Springhead Primary

A strong story gives teachers and pupils a shared reference point. A character, decision or important moment can be revisited in later lessons, helping RSHE become part of an ongoing conversation rather than an isolated activity.

Build discussion into the learning

The most effective sessions did not simply present a story. They gave pupils opportunities to question characters, discuss behaviour, challenge attitudes and suggest alternative actions.

“This kind of delivery allowed sensitive topics to be explored in a safe, open and honest way which the students could relate to.” - English Teacher, Endon High School

This suggests that engagement alone is not enough. The learning comes from combining an engaging experience with structured opportunities to reflect, question and apply what pupils have seen.

Support the adults in the room too

Nearly 98% of respondents reported at least some positive impact on staff. Teachers said the sessions helped them find appropriate language, judge how to pitch sensitive subjects and identify useful starting points for future lessons.

“It has helped me know how to pitch sensitive topics. It has also given me confidence to teach them.” - Head of PSHE and RSE, Penn Fields School

Staff also learn by observing pupils’ responses. The questions pupils ask and the opinions they express can reveal existing knowledge, misconceptions and subjects that may need further exploration.

What can schools take from this?

The feedback suggests that effective RSHE is not only about providing accurate information. It also matters how that information is experienced and explored.

Top Tips for Using Theatre in RSHE

• use realistic situations that pupils can recognise
• provide enough distance for sensitive subjects to feel safe
• create memorable shared experiences
• allow time for questions and discussion
• give pupils practical language and actions they can use
• provide opportunities for staff to continue the learning afterwards

These principles can be applied through theatre, stories, case studies, videos and classroom activities.

The important thing is to help pupils move beyond simply knowing the information. Effective RSHE helps them recognise what it could look like in real life, consider how they might respond and understand where they can turn for help.

Loudmouth is one of the UK's leading providers of RSHE support through theatre, with over 30 years experience of supporting UK schools. If you would like to find out more about how Loudmouth's approach and how these successful approaches can help your school's RSHE then contact us on 0121 446 4880 or email enquiry@loudmouth.co.uk