Christmas stories for EYFS, KS1 and KS2

Supports RE syllabus work on 'the Christmas Story', 'Christmas as a special time' and 'the meaning of Christmas'

Full day: 6 classes.  Half day: 3 classes.  (Class sessions last 45 minutes and can be repeated to suit school timings, or combined with any other workshop.)

"Have you come to hear the story? Huddle up close then, it's a cold night tonight on the hills above Bethlehem."

This magical story session takes pupils back to the time of the birth of Jesus as the shepherd recounts the night the angel Gabriel visited him. Gather round the shepherd's "fire" to hear a very special story.

The session concludes with time for pupils to reflect on why Jesus is special for Christians and then make an angel to hang on their own Christmas tree.

"I shall never forget your fabulous shepherd storytelling at the conference."  Teacher

Supports RE syllabus work on 'the Christmas Story', 'Christmas as a special time' and 'the meaning of Christmas'

Full day: 6 classes.  Half day: 3 classes.  (Class sessions last 45 minutes and can be repeated to suit school timings, or combined with any other workshop.)

"One night I saw a star burning brighter than any I had ever seen before."

Gather round as an old astronomer tells of the time he spotted a brilliant star in the sky. Hear how he set off on a journey to bring gifts to a king and found the most amazing baby.

This dramatic telling of the version of the nativity in St. Matthew's Gospel takes pupils on a wonderful journey with the wise men. The session concludes with time for pupils to consider the symbolism of each of the gifts given to the baby Jesus, to reflect on why Christians believe Jesus to be a gift, then to make a star to hang on their own Christmas tree.

"The children loved working with you."  Deputy head, Hartlepool

Supports KS2 RE syllabus work on 'What is the meaning of Christmas', 'Why do Christians call Jesus the Light of the World' and 'What are the themes of Christmas'

Full day: 4 classes.  Half day: 2 classes.  (Class sessions last c1 hour 15 mins)

A reflective look at the birth of Jesus. The nativity story is told in 13 stages: starting with the world and ending with love.

Each stage is unpacked as a symbol from a box. As the boxes are passed around pupils take a bead which they thread on to a wire to create their own Christmas story beads.

The story beads are an effective tool to encourage pupils to re-tell and reflect on the Christmas story and its meaning for Christians.

"I learned something today: I learned that something visual and tactile is a great aid to recall.  You could all recall the story because of the beads and I'm not sure you could have done that so well without them."  Y3/4 teacher, Co. Durham

Supports KS2 RE syllabus work on 'What is the meaning of Christmas' and 'What are the themes of Christmas'

Full day: 4-5 classes.  Half day: 2-3 classes.  (Class sessions last 1 hour)

Hear the nativity story from key witnesses to the events: the innkeeper describes his shame at turning the Holy Family away; Joseph expresses his fears about being a father to the Son of God; Mary talks about the angel's visit and her big decision to say yes; the shepherds leave their sheep long enough to describe their fear when the sky filled with angels; and Gabriel tells of God's big message.

The session concludes with time for pupils to reflect on the themes and meaning of Christmas, as expressed in the stories. Additional follow-up work allows pupils the opportunity to develop one of the character stories in their own words.

"It really made me think about the story differently."  Y6 pupil, South Shields

Supports RE syllabus work on 'How and why is Advent important to Christians'

Full day: 4-5 classes.  Half day: 2-3 classes.  (Class sessions last c1 hour 15 mins)

Hear the story of how God prepared his people for the coming of His son.

Starting with Adam and Eve, and ending with Jesus, Tales from the Jesse Tree introduces pupils to the stories of key figures from the Old Testament and encourages them to reflect on the historical family tree of Jesus. 

As each tale unfolds, the family of God in scripture comes vividly to life.

Jesse trees, carved in wood, stone, or on stained glass, were once found in many churches and cathedrals and served as the family tree of Jesus.  These stories are a perfect way to help pupils understand the importance of Advent for Christians.

"The children loved your stories."  Y3 teacher, Bishop Auckland