Big Brum (Theatre In Education) Company Limited
Charity 514071
Overview
Summary
Big Brum appears to occupy a distinctive civic role as a specialist cultural-education organisation: it uses participatory theatre not principally as entertainment, but as a structured way for children and young people to explore social questions, develop expression and engage with learning. Its model combines touring work, small-group participation and teacher-facing support, with an explicit focus on settings serving disadvantaged or less culturally engaged young people. This suggests an organisation working at the intersection of arts access, education and inclusion.
Operational geography
Coverage: Regional
Operational areas:
Evidence and reasoning
Supporting evidence
Remaining uncertainties
- Direct evidence confirms that Birmingham is one of Big Brum's main touring geographies, but the organisation does not currently identify the Birmingham areas receiving its work.
- The strongest current place-based programme is in North Solihull, outside Birmingham's boundary. Its current and forthcoming 2026-27 school tours also name Walsall and East Staffordshire, but do not specify Birmingham locations.
- Big Brum's ongoing partnership with Birmingham City University materially connects it to Birmingham through graduate-scheme and teacher-training activity, but the available evidence does not establish a particular Birmingham campus or supplied ward as a regular Big Brum delivery site.
- A 2025 environmental-education conference at Eco Park, Small Heath was a Birmingham partnership activity, but it is not sufficient evidence that Big Brum currently operates there.
Additional evidence needed
- A current tour schedule, annual report or impact report identifying the broader Birmingham areas served during 2026.
- Confirmation from Big Brum or Birmingham City University of the location(s) where their current Graduate Scheme and PGCE drama-teacher activity is delivered.
- Current information on whether the Standing Conference on the Arts, Education and the Environment remains an active Birmingham-based programme and, if so, its venue.
Areas of work
- Arts/culture/heritage/science
- Education/training
Who they help
- Children/young People
- Other Defined Groups
How they help
- Provides Services
Discoveries involving this organisation
The Atlas has not published any Discoveries involving this organisation yet.
Observations
Theatre is used as an educational infrastructure
The available evidence suggests Big Brum treats theatre as a method of learning and reflection, rather than as a standalone cultural offer. Its combination of performances, participation, workshops and teacher resources may allow a single programme to influence both pupils' immediate experience and classroom learning.
Why it matters
This helps distinguish Big Brum from organisations that primarily present arts activity. Its potential value lies in connecting cultural participation to educational practice and young people's meaning-making.
Show evidence
“The charity promotes the education of the public, particularly young people, through educational plays, drama, mime, movement, music and the spoken word.”
Source:Charity Commission“Its programmes combine live performance and participation, workshops and supporting resources for teachers.”
Source:Organisation
Its operating model extends beyond direct delivery
Big Brum appears to work through schools and educators as well as directly with young people. Teacher INSET, teacher-training inputs and resources may increase the reach or durability of its approach beyond individual performances.
Why it matters
This indicates that its relationships with education professionals are likely central to its role, not merely a route to booking performances.
Show evidence
“The charity provides theatre-based inputs into teachers' INSET, teacher-training and drama courses.”
Source:Charity Commission“It tours to primary and secondary schools and provides supporting resources for teachers.”
Source:Organisation
Inclusion is presented as a strategic priority
The organisation appears to target cultural and educational participation where access may be weakest, including disadvantaged areas and specialist education settings. Small-group work may be an intentional inclusion mechanism, though its practical effects are not evidenced here.
Why it matters
This suggests Big Brum may be an important bridge between cultural provision and young people who are less likely to encounter it through mainstream routes.
Show evidence
“Most of its work is delivered in learning settings in areas of high economic and social deprivation.”
Source:Organisation“The charity provides a theatre-in-education service for schools, pupil referral units, special schools and colleges.”
Source:Charity Commission
- The scale, frequency and geographic distribution of delivery are not provided.
- There is no independent evidence of outcomes for young people, teachers or participating settings.
- The nature and durability of partnerships with schools, funders and community venues are unclear.
Remaining uncertainties
- Recent annual reports or impact evaluations showing participant numbers, settings reached and outcomes.
- Information on referral routes, repeat school partnerships and the proportion of work delivered in disadvantaged communities.
- Details of current funding sources, programme costs and collaboration with other cultural or youth organisations.
Additional evidence needed
Charity Commission profile
Activities
Provides a theatre-in-education service for schools, pupil referral units, special schools, and colleges; Presents performances of new plays, for young people in particular, in arts and community venues; Makes theatre-based inputs into teachers' INSET, and into teacher-training and drama courses;
Charity objects
TO PROMOTE, MAINTAIN, IMPROVE AND ADVANCE THE EDUCATION OF THE PUBLIC, AND, IN PARTICULAR, YOUNG PEOPLE BY THE PRODUCTION OF EDUCATIONAL PLAYS AND THROUGH THE MEDIUM OF DRAMA, MIME, MOVEMENT AND MUSIC AND THE SPOKEN WORD AND BY PARTICUPATION THEREIN IN SCHOOLS, YOUTH CLUBS, ARTS CENTRES AND OTHER PLACES.