What makes Loudmouth a Great Classroom Visitor?

You might have heard that the PSHE Association have started a podcast! Woohoo!

Their first episode was all about ‘Selecting and working with visitors and speakers’. We are proud members of the PSHE Association and so were eager to hear what they had to say and we were very happy to hear that many of the qualities that make Loudmouth ‘Loudmouth’ are the same qualities schools should be looking for in a classroom visitor!

We don’t give speeches, we have conversations

As the podcast says, inviting someone to talk at your young people for an hour is unlikely to result in much learning.

What we offer is engaging and well researched drama that always has workshop activities which encourage young people to have their opinions heard.

We use the drama to raise ideas, awareness and information that we later bring out in the discussion workshops or supporting lesson plans. The interaction of students is key as by giving young people a voice, we make their learning experience more memorable (and more fun!).

Importantly, our actor facilitators are well trained in classroom management, giving your staff a chance to sit back and hear what your young people have to say.

We create safe environments to discuss real life issues

It was mentioned on the podcast that, while it can be tempting to invite speakers to share their real life stories, there some risks associated with that choice.

Stories which are too specific to one person’s situation, or that rely on shock, fear or blame often lack educational value.

By using drama based on thorough research, we can use fictional characters to explore real life situations bringing in a variety of view points and carefully plan the content to hit clear learning objectives in a safe way.

You keep control of the learning (but we are there to support you all the way)

Our aim is to enhance the work that is already being done by your school, and so you stay in control of what is being taught.

Our programmes are there to support your PSHE, whether it is to launch a programme of work, consolidate the learning or provide a different way in for students.

Everything we offer is designed to hit a range of clear learning objectives based on the Department for Education guidance, and we can talk you through which programmes or learning outcomes we think will work best for your pupils. You can just choose the ones you want us to focus on.

Young people like us!

On the podcast, it was noted that young people are more likely to remember what they’ve learned if they liked the visitor and are also more likely to trust their resources.

Our friendly actor facilitators are all level 3 safeguarding trained, and highly skilled in building trust with young people.

In fact, many young people have built the confidence to make disclosures to their own safeguarding team after taking part in a Loudmouth programme.

It’s not just a one off!

We know that young people and teachers love our visits, but we offer a lot more than the just the performances and workshops. There are loads of ways that your school can benefit from a relationship with Loudmouth.

As well as offering free lesson plans to all of the schools we work with we can also provide regular important PSHE updates, whitepapers and tips, signposting and staff training. You can read more about all those ‘extras’ here.

If you think we would make great classroom visitors for your school we’d love to hear from you! Check out our programmes to find something suitable for your young people - and feel free to give us a call for a chat on 0121 446 4880.