This week marked the 50th anniversary of Theatre in Education (TiE) at The Belgrade Theatre, Coventry. Academics and MA students from the Centre for Education Studies were all involved in the conference. Dr Rachel King and Jo Trowsdale worked in partnership with Justine Themen (Associate Director) and other partners from Coventry University, Warwick Arts Centre, Big Brum and the RSC to convene this celebration of TiE's past and look forward to its future.

The conference looked at the relationship between theatre, education and learning from the early inception of TiE at the Belgrade in 1965, through to current practice and then to the emerging models and opportunities for the future. We heard from TiE alumni about the socio-cultural context of the 1960s that enabled TiE to flourish. We also heard from confident and inspiring young people about their experiences of theatre and learning and their hopes for future creative practice.

The CES played an integral role in the conference over the two days.

On Day 1 Rachel King introduced The Play House's Little Match Girl, an interactive storytelling performance that explored moral dilemmas and social responsibility and Jo Trowsdale presented with Highly Sprung Theatre to showcase the ways they encourage embodied learning through physical theatre.

On Day 2 Jen Kitchen, a CES PhD student, gave a presentation on play and Professor Joe Winston gave a reflective talk on the day's events. CES MA Drama and Theatre and ELT students all took part in wide range of excellent talks and workshops.

Dr Rachel King: "This conference was about recognising the way TiE can 'inspire curiosity' in all its various forms. It was a great pleasure and an immense privilege to work with The Belgrade and other local organisations to mark 50 years of TiE and the diversity of practice that has emerged since it all started. This conference gave our students the opportunity to make sense of TiE's history and heritage whilst also experiencing some of the excellent practice that is going on today".