The New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-under-Lyme has spearheaded an innovative Royal Shakespeare Theatre Company learning programme which brings the language of Shakespeare to life in a powerful new way for schools, and sees schools across North Staffordshire benefit from the nationally acclaimed RSC education programme over three years.
Springhead Primary school in Talke Pits has been chosen to play a key role in the long term project. Selected as a a hub school they will work closely with the world famous theatre company and the New Vic Education team, along with up to seven other local cluster schools.
Teaching Staff at the schools will learn to develop the skills necessary to teach Shakespeare in a more hands on and interactive way at the schools achieved using similar techniques used in actual RSC rehearsal rooms when preparing for real productions.
Three teachers from Springhead Primary School will also take a special postgraduate course with the RSC and the University of Warwick, helping them develop expertise in the teaching of Shakespeare and enabling them to support fellow teachers in other schools.
[h3]Long Term Commitment[/h3]
In the first year of the project, in spring 2014, the RSC will visit the area with a Shakespeare production specifically created for younger audiences. The hub and cluster schools will be given the chance to see the production and work with education staff and actors on gaining a deeper understanding of the play. In 2016 all of the schools, together with artists from the RSC and New Vic Education, will create a children’s Shakespeare performance festival at New Vic.
Brian Anderson, head teacher at Springhead Primary School, said: “Through this long term project we aim to raise the self-esteem of our children and enable them to develop lifelong skills. The study of Shakespeare’s plays will promote the children’s love of stories and theatre and their use of rich language.”
Jacqui O’Hanlon, RSC Director of Education, said: “We were impressed by the vision and commitment of both senior leadership and teachers in the school to ensure quality learning experiences for their pupils. We look forward to developing a long-term and meaningful partnership with the school and the New Vic Theatre to ensure that young people’s encounters with Shakespeare are exciting and relevant.”
Jill Rezzano, Head of Education at the New Vic, added: “We are excited to announce our partnership with the RSC and the involvement of Springhead Primary School. We can’t wait to get started with the project and are looking forward to a brilliant three years working together with the region’s schoolchildren bringing Shakespeare’s language to life.”
