Many of the ideas explored in this blog have emerged from years spent teaching, leading schools and researching the relationship between drama, communication and children’s developing sense of self. They are questions that continue to shape my own practice and, in many ways, form an ongoing conversation rather than a finished set of conclusions.
That conversation has grown into The Voice We Leave Behind, a book currently in development with Bloomsbury and planned for publication in 2027.
The book explores a simple but important question: how do children come to believe that their voice matters?
Drawing together classroom practice, educational research and stories from schools, it argues that communication is about far more than spoken language alone. Before children find the confidence to speak, they first need to experience environments in which they feel psychologically safe, intellectually respected and genuinely heard. Throughout the book, I explore how drama, embodiment, relationships and everyday classroom interactions shape not only children’s communication, but also their identity, confidence and willingness to participate.
Many of the essays published on this website represent early explorations of these ideas. While each stands independently, together they reflect the themes that will be developed in greater depth throughout The Voice We Leave Behind.
If these reflections resonate with your own experiences of teaching, leadership or education, I hope you’ll continue following the journey as the book develops over the coming months.
dr Stephen Mitchell 