Theatre in Education Research

Drugs Alcohol and Tobacco Education (DATE) Theatre in Education Package

These resources were developed for the Spring 2025 East Sussex Theatre in Education package focused on Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Education. They are not intended for use beyond state-funded secondary schools in East Sussex without the explicit permission of East Sussex County Council. 

The resources have been developed as part of a research project led by East Sussex County Council and the University of Brighton, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research as part of its Innovation Fund to Reduce Demand for Illicit Substances.

Theatre in Education Research Feedback

The Theatre in Education research project focused on drugs, alcohol and tobacco prevention has now wrapped up.

The project found that the programme may slow when/if young people try drugs, potentially improving health and employment prospects in the long-term. It produced new knowledge about how Theatre in Education programmes work to improve health and wellbeing, and created resources for other local authorities and schools to design and deliver their own programmes.

Many thanks to all teachers and other school staff, young people, parents and carers, and research partners for making the project possible. We know that young people want to hear back from research projects that they participate in, so encourage schools who hosted Solomon Theatre’s Time Out in Spring 2025 to share feedback with students where possible.

In the below PowerPoint slide deck you will find links to a short film, webpages and slides that you can use or adapt for the classroom.

Theatre in Education DATE Research Feedback [5.5 MB] [pptx]

Lesson Plans

The East Sussex Secondary PSHE Hub, supported by East Sussex County Council’s Public Health and Education divisions, has created this lesson package to provide classroom learning experiences as part of a programme including a Theatre in Education production.

The core modules provide an opportunity for young people to explore the broader context around Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco Education (DATE).

Smoking

Alcohol

Cannabis

Illegal Substances

Vaping

New (or Novel) Psychoactive Substances

Assessing Risk & Building Resilience

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