Embargo: for publication after 00.01hrs Monday 21st June 2004
Unique schools’ storytelling project takes York children ‘Beyond a Chocolate Factory’

York schoolchildren will be sharing stories and ideas on how to make their communities better places when taking part in a unique storytelling project later this month. The project, entitled ‘Beyond a Chocolate Factory’, has been developed to celebrate the one hundred years since York-born businessman and philanthropist, Joseph Rowntree, founded the three York-based Trusts which bear his name.

Professional storytellers Alec Williams and Mary Walker will be using their art to inspire the children to listen and speak about the themes close to Joseph Rowntree’s heart - ‘giving’ and ‘social change’. The children will be encouraged to produce pictures, sculptures and videotapes of their own storytelling, to share with other pupils within their schools.

An exciting feature of the project, set up with the support of the City of York Council Arts Service, is that it is designed to develop links between schools. Headlands and Wigginton Primaries plan to work together, as do Haxby Road and Ralph Butterfield Primary Schools.

Moreover, the project helps young people to bridge the gap between primary and secondary school. Pupils from Joseph Rowntree Secondary School (Year 7s) will meet with pupils from the school’s feeder primaries (Year 6s) with the aim of easing the transitions. York’s Quaker schools - Tregelles and The Mount, Ebor and Bootham - are also involved in the Storytelling Project and they, too, will be sharing work across the primary and secondary school divide.

Oral storytelling has experienced a revival over the past 20 years and is considered to be a highly effective means of developing children’s creativity and speaking and listening abilities when used in schools. Storytellers do not read from books but tell stories live, choosing their words to suit their audience.

Catherine Shawyer, Head of English at Joseph Rowntree Secondary School, said: “We are delighted to be involved in the Joseph Rowntree Storytelling Project, which will make English and Citizenship come alive in the classroom through Alec’s skill - and with its roots firmly based in a local context. The work we will do at Joseph Rowntree School will help students gain a deeper appreciation of the life and legacy of Joseph Rowntree and the significance of the school’s name. Students will be involved in close listening, storytelling, drama and writing activities. The liaison between Year 6 and Year 7 students on the follow-up Sharing Day is a bonus; we are always looking for ways to make the transition from primary to secondary school smoother for children”.

Note to Editors

• The three York-based Trusts who are supporting this initiative are the Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust Ltd, the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
• The Trusts were founded 100 years ago when Joseph Rowntree transferred to them a substantial part of his wealth, with instructions that the money be used to tackle the root causes of social problems rather than treating their symptoms.
• The project is one of a number of centenary events being planned in London and in York.

For further information, contact:

Sue Everard, JRF Press and Information Manager 01904 615958

Issued by Sue Everard, Press and Information Manager 01904 615958 / sue.everard@jrf.org.uk