Welcome to the dedicated resource hub for IRL: In Real Life, Spectacle Theatre’s free, day‑long Theatre in Education programme for secondary schools across Rhondda Cynon Taf. The programme empowers pupils in Years 7–9 to explore healthy relationships, digital pressures, peer influence, and emotional wellbeing, supporting both the Curriculum for Wales and the RCT Strategic Plan for Wellbeing.
The resources below are designed to extend learning beyond the performance and bilingual workshop—offering teachers practical tools for continued classroom engagement.
About IRL: In Real Life
IRL: In Real Life is a participatory play written by Paul Swift, following Jay, a teenager navigating online friendships, real‑world consequences, and moral dilemmas. It opens up classroom conversations around online safety, peer influence, discrimination and violence, and gender and racial stereotyping.
Downloads
Guide for Staff – In Real Life (PPTX)
Purpose: Overview of the play, themes, and recommended discussion points.
Aimed at: Teaching staff delivering follow‑up lessons or pastoral support.
Synopsis: Breaks down online behaviour, peer dynamics, and emotional literacy into manageable classroom conversations.
Guide for Staff – Sexism & Misogyny (PPTX)
Purpose: Structured support for tackling sexism, misogyny, and gender stereotyping.
Aimed at: Staff leading PSE/Health & Wellbeing, safeguarding, or equality‑focused sessions.
Synopsis: Definitions, examples, and scenario prompts to help address harmful attitudes and support respectful, safe relationship norms.
Spectacle Theatre – Drama Techniques Toolkit (PDF)
Purpose: Drama‑based methods to encourage participation, communication, and exploration of identity and relationships.
Aimed at: Teachers seeking active, arts‑based approaches to wellbeing and relationship education.
Synopsis: Practical facilitation tools used by Spectacle Theatre to build confidence, empathy, and expression—mirroring techniques used in IRL workshops.
Empathy & Decision Making (PPTX)
Purpose: Activities that build empathy, perspective‑taking, and critical thinking around real‑life dilemmas.
Aimed at: KS3 teachers in PSE/Health & Wellbeing, pastoral leads, and form tutors.
Synopsis: Helps learners consider consequences, manage conflict, and recognise the impact of choices—reflecting key dilemmas raised in the IRL storyline.
Healthy & Respectful Relationships (PPTX)
Purpose: Reinforces healthy communication, boundaries, and mutual respect.
Aimed at: Teachers covering relationships, wellbeing, safeguarding, and anti‑bullying themes.
Synopsis: Practical classroom tasks that build knowledge and confidence, aligned to emotional wellbeing and safe relationship practices.
Influences (PPTX)
Purpose: Examines how peer influence, online culture, and community environments shape behaviour.
Aimed at: Educators helping learners reflect on risk, belonging, and social pressures.
Synopsis: Supports discussion of digital pressures and peer dynamics highlighted in the play and workshop.
Stereotyping, Prejudice, and Equality (PPTX)
Purpose: Helps pupils identify harmful stereotypes, understand prejudice, and consider equality in daily life.
Aimed at: Staff facilitating equality and diversity education across KS3.
Synopsis: Encourages critical thinking and empathy, building on the programme’s exploration of discrimination and community responsibility.
Stigma & Discrimination (PPTX)
Purpose: Supports discussions around stigma, exclusion, and the impact of discriminatory attitudes.
Aimed at: Wellbeing leads, pastoral teams, or teachers running inclusive practice sessions.
Synopsis: Uses scenario‑based tasks to help learners recognise stigma and develop respectful, inclusive responses—aligned with Spectacle Theatre’s community‑focused ethos.
How these resources support your school
- Reinforce learning outcomes from the IRL performance and workshop.
- Create safe spaces for reflection and discussion.
- Promote emotional literacy, empathy, and respectful relationships.
- Align with the Curriculum for Wales and RCT Wellbeing priorities.