In Spring 2026, Havering London, The Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch and FUSE Cultural Education Partnership will be collaborating on Digital Wonder, a research project with The Centre for Performance, Technology and Equity (PTEQ). Based at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, PTEQ works with community and cultural industry partners to research technological innovation through the arts. At the core of PTEQ’s mission is a commitment to equity, cross-sector collaboration and upskilling in creative technologies.
Digital Wonder is led by Dr. Nic Abraham, who will work with year 5 and year 7 pupils from Parklands Primary School and St Edward’s Church of England Academy in Havering to co-create digital escape rooms that integrate storytelling, puzzles, and emerging technology into core curriculum learning. The research investigates what happens to curriculum engagement when young people are invited to co-create their own digital learning experiences and whether educational escape rooms can support collaboration and connection between peers. It aligns with the Government’s recent Curriculum and Assessment Review, which calls for a stronger focus on oracy, digital literacy, and the development of critical and creative thinking skills in the classroom. These are skills that Digital Wonder places at the centre of its methodology.
The research has economic as well as educational value. The Creative Industries sector is expanding at four times the rate of the wider UK economy and has been identified
as a priority growth area in the Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy. With a ten-year vision to position the UK as a global leader in creative investment and innovation, there is an urgent need for a talent pipeline of young people equipped with a hybrid of creative and technical skills.
As part of the research project, Dr. Abraham is developing resource packs and training sessions for teachers interested in co-creating digital escape rooms in their classrooms. The twilight CPD sessions will take place from 4.00–6.30pm on Tuesday 21 (Primary teachers) and Wednesday 22 April (Secondary teachers) at The Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch. Sessions are free for all teachers working in the London Borough of Havering – no previous experience of working with new technologies is necessary.
If you are interested in attending, please contact LouiseM@queens-theatre.co.uk or JaneH@queens-theatre.co.uk.
Image: Allan Joyce Architects Ltd