Free, practical support – built into your Festival journey

If you’re taking part in the Shakespeare Schools Festival, this professional learning programme is included at no extra cost.

It's designed to give you practical, step-by-step support so you feel confident leading your production – whether it’s your first time or you’re building on experience.

What you get

• A clear introduction to the Festival
• Practical rehearsal and staging strategies
• One-to-one support on your production
• Artist-led masterclasses
• In-person training and networking

	Autumn		Spring
	First-Time Teacher-Directors	All Teacher-Directors	First-Time Teacher-Directors	All Teacher-Directors
Registration	November - June		January - September
Support: Festival First Steps	June		November
Support: From Page to Stage	September		January
In-school Workshop	Around 1 month before your performance
Support: Creative Development Calls	September - November		January - March
Challenge: The Play’s The Thing	September - October		September - October
Inspire: Playful Spaces	October		December
Your tech/dress rehearsal & performance in professional theatre	October - November		February - April

Who's it for?

• New Teacher Directors – structured, step-by-step support
• Returning Teacher Directors – deepen and develop your practice
• All teachers welcome – no prior drama experience needed

Inclusive by design

Inclusive approaches are embedded throughout every session – supporting all learners across SEND and mainstream settings.

How it works

• Most sessions are scheduled for you as part of your Festival journey
• Access details are shared via your BackStage account
• Some sessions, like Playful Spaces, require booking but are still included in the Festival registration fee

Your journey through the programme

For new Teacher Directors

• Festival First Steps – a clear introduction to the Festival process
• From Page to Stage – practical, inclusive staging approaches
• Creative Development Calls – one-to-one support for your production

For all Teacher Directors

• The Play’s the Thing – deepen your interpretation of your play

• Playful Spaces – connect, experiment and grow your practice

Designed for teachers like you

We know how busy teachers are. That’s why our programme combines accessible online learning with high-impact in-person experiences, ensuring every Teacher Director gets the support they need.

Get the most from your Festival experience

We encourage you to take part in as much of the programme as you can to make the most of the support available.