St. Mary’s R.C. Primary is a STORYPLAY school.

As some of you already know, Licketyspit Theatre Company has taken up part-time residence at St. Mary’s Primary. We are a children’s theatre company who create shows and opportunities for games, rhymes, songs and imaginary play with children, for children.

Storyplay Schools is a unique project designed to support the development of children’s literacy, language and confidence through the introduction of shared stories and inclusive play across the whole school community – children, families teachers and PSA’s. Storyplay is delivered by specialist children’s theatre company, Licketyspit, together with the teachers. Storyplay is part of St. Mary’s programme to raise children’s attainment.

Since 2017, every child in the school has been learning some of the Lickety Playcard repertoire of games, rhymes, songs, stories, dressing-up and imaginary play. P1s and P2s have participated in LicketyLeap (‘The Story of Margaret and Margaret’) and lots of parents have been involved too, for family Porridge & Play sessions, as well as attending Licketyleap follow-up sessions.

We’ve had Fun Families Porridge & Play sessions for the nursery transition group, and hugely successful Playground Play with P3-P7. Most exciting of all, for the first time ever every child in St Mary’s has gone home with their own set of Lickety Playcards – illustrated cards depicting the games, rhymes, songs and imaginary play activities that make up Licketyplay. So you can share the games with friends, families and neighbours – and keep on playing! All the new Primary Ones this year will be getting their own packs when they do Playcard Play too – and parents/carers will be invited to Porridge & Play to learn to play them too.

The Lickety Playcards were launched at our St. Mary’s Primary Storyplay Year 1 Celebration Event and Sharing Assembly, in June 2018

There is lots of evidence that our approach builds children’s confidence, strengthens friendships, develops language and literacy and encourages an enjoyment of school. Our approach is based on fairness, inclusion and the knowledge that everyone is creative. Storyplay helps unlock children’s – and adults’ – innate creativity and limitless imagination!

We want everyone in the school community to be part of Storyplay, so we hope to see you at a session soon! Do get in touch if you have any questions or ideas for your Storyplay School.

What have we been up to at St Mary’s?

We would also like to invite you to join the Licketyspit Children and Families Network.

This is a big community of families across Scotland with children under-twelve, who all know Licketyspit. It’s a place to share experiences, ideas and resources – online and by email and post. We are also working with museums and libraries to create more new free opportunities for families.

You can join the network by clicking on Register Now, or by emailing cfn@licketyspit.com with your name, the names & ages of your children, and your postcode.

Please follow us on Facebook & Twitter, where we’ll share news and photos of our sessions (with your permission), and tell us what you think! We love to get feedback and images of children’s drawings inspired by Lickety Play – and we will always write back!