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KS1 STORY BUILDERS
STEP INSIDE THE STORY

Developing confident storytellers before confident writers.

A whole-class KS1 literacy workshop designed to strengthen children’s storytelling foundations through structured talk, movement and purposeful vocabulary exploration.

Story Builders develops confidence, narrative understanding and oral language skills before children move into independent writing. Through immersive, interactive activities, pupils learn how stories are structured, sequenced and communicated clearly — supporting talk before writing and building strong foundations for future composition.

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What Is The Story Builders Workshop?

KS1 Story Builders is a 60-minute, teacher-led literacy workshop designed for Year 1 and Year 2 pupils.
Children explore a familiar high-quality text through immersive storytelling experiences that develop vocabulary, sequencing and oral storytelling skills.
Through purposeful play, talk and guided storytelling, children build the language and confidence needed to understand stories deeply before moving into writing.

What Happens During The workshop?

Each class takes part in a structured session designed to support talk before writing:
• Interactive story introduction and immersion
• Story Path sequencing to explore story structure
• Story Builders immersive storytelling activities
• Character Word Builders vocabulary exploration
• Whole-class reflection and oral retelling
Sessions are carefully paced to allow children to explore language through talk, movement and shared storytelling.

What Children Will Develop

KS1 Story Builders focuses on language, confidence and storytelling skills, including:
• Secure understanding of beginning, middle and end
• Increased vocabulary depth and expressive language
• Improved confidence in speaking and sharing ideas
• Stronger oral rehearsal before writing
• Engagement with high-quality children’s books
This workshop prepares children for future writing by strengthening the language foundations first.

Curriculum Links

The workshop supports the KS1 English National Curriculum through:
• Spoken language and discussion
• Listening and responding to stories
• Narrative sequencing and understanding structure
• Vocabulary development and descriptive language
• Preparing ideas orally before writing

Practical Info & Pricing

• Length: 60 minutes
• Whole-class delivery
• Suitable for Year 1 and Year 2
• Delivered alongside the class teacher
• Minimal preparation required from school staff
• Space needed: classroom or hall area for storytelling activities
Pricing:
• Half Day (up to 3 classes): £220
• Full Day (up to 5 classes): £350
(Travel included within an agreed local radius)
Please get in touch to discuss availability or to plan a day tailored to your school.

Story Choices

Schools can choose from familiar texts, including:
• We’re Going on a Bear Hunt
• The Three Little Pigs
• Little Red Riding Hood
• The Tiger Who Came to Tea
Additional story themes available on request.

Workshops can be tailored around a familiar class text or current curriculum theme.

Why Schools Choose Read, Play, Create

• Supports talk before writing
• Purposeful, structured storytelling experiences
• Clear links to the KS1 English curriculum
• Inclusive and accessible for all learners
• Minimal preparation required from staff
• Designed and delivered by a trained primary teacher
• Structured, curriculum-aware approach
• Focused on sustainable language development

Who Leads The Workshop?

Delivered by Vanessa Rathmill — trained primary teacher and founder of Read, Play, Create.
Sessions are designed to be calm, structured and inclusive, supporting all learners through high-quality talk, purposeful play and immersive storytelling.

Workshops are led by an experienced primary teacher.
Enhanced DBS available on request.

Interested in booking a KS1 Workshop
Get in touch to discuss dates, classes and story choices.

ENQUIRE NOW

KS1 STORY BUILDERS STEP INSIDE THE STORY

The workshop supports the KS1 English National Curriculum through: • Spoken language and discussion • Listening and responding to stories • Narrative sequencing and understanding structure • Vocabulary development and descriptive language • Preparing ideas orally before writing

Schools can choose from familiar texts, including: • We’re Going on a Bear Hunt • The Three Little Pigs • Little Red Riding Hood • The Tiger Who Came to Tea Additional story themes available on request. Workshops can be tailored around a familiar class text or current curriculum theme.

Delivered by Vanessa Rathmill — trained primary teacher and founder of Read, Play, Create. Sessions are designed to be calm, structured and inclusive, supporting all learners through high-quality talk, purposeful play and immersive storytelling.