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    Working Together & Sharing the Cost

    What the charity pays for and the school registration fee

    The total cost to SSF for each school's participation is £1,918 and we ask state schools to contribute just over half of this - £979 + VAT.  SSF makes up the difference through rigorous fundraising, selling tickets to each performance and through the souvenir merchandise we sell. We ask independent schools to pay closer to the unit cost - £1,575 +VAT, and again we make up the rest.

    We believe the Festival is incredibly good value. With a maximum of 35 participants per school it works out at about £28 per pupil for a state school. We also know that it’s important to understand exactly what a school can expect for the fee. Here is a comprehensive list of everything included.

    Support and Training

    • A Teacher-Director CPD Workshop, led by our creative associates - experts in directing Shakespeare with young people.
    • An additional CPD workshop for special school teachers on inclusive practice.
    • A half-day drama workshop for your students, hosted outside of school and led by industry professionals.
    • Technical resources & support to add light and sound to your show.
    • Regular contact with a dedicated regional Coordinator, and on-going support from everyone in the SSF office- no question is too small!

    Shakespeare Schools Festival, The Ashcroft Theatre, Croydon. Riddlesdown Collegiate

    Resources

    • A Teacher-Director Handbook: a step-by-step guide to the Festival process
    • Access to the BackStage area of our website. Here you’ll find your Festival schedule, important reminders and a resource library chockablock with scripts, workshop notes, digital games, video clips, marketing resources and much more.
    • Access to the Green Room where you can share tips and ideas with other Teacher-Directors.

    Schemes of Work

    • Primary School Citizenship scheme based on Hamlet.
    • Secondary School English scheme based on Shakespeare’s language.
    • Special School classroom activity set.
    • Primary, Secondary and Special school Democracy scheme based on Julius Caesar.

    The Performance Day & Experience

    • Hire of your local professional theatre for your performance, including box office, theatrical technicians, lighting, sound, and marketing.
    • Support with the promotion of the performance night, including posters and personalised marketing flyers for each school.
    • Professional photos of your cast by partner Splaat Media. Photos are charged separately, and are available for parents to purchase on the performance night.
    • Recognition! You’ll get a live appraisal on stage from a theatre professional after the performance, a written appraisal emailed to school and certificates of achievement for each Teacher-Director
    • The experience of a truly exhilarating performance in a professional theatre in front of a paying audience.

    Any questions?

    We'd love to talk you through our work. Please do give us a call on 020 7601 1800.

    97%
    of teachers told us they developed strong leadership skills

    We train and support teachers from primary, secondary and special schools to work actively and ambitiously with Shakespeare.

    About our impact
    95%
    of special school teachers saw an increase in their students' resilience

    We believe Shakespeare is for everyone. Every year children from very different backgrounds come together to perform on the same stage.

    About our impact
    79%
    of special school teachers saw an increase in their students' confidence

    We believe Shakespeare is for everyone. Every year children from very different backgrounds come together to perform on the same stage.

    About our impact
    87%
    of teachers would strongly recommend the Festival to a colleague

    We train and support teachers from primary, secondary and special schools to work actively and ambitiously with Shakespeare.

    About our impact
    As a result of the Festival process,
    97%
    of teachers are confident working with Shakespeare

    We train and support teachers from primary, secondary and special schools to work actively and ambitiously with Shakespeare.

    About our impact
    As a result of taking part in the Festival,
    97%
    of teachers think they will stay in teaching for longer than 5 years

    Every year we help thousands of young people from across the UK become better at teamwork, more confident and more ambitious.

    About our impact
    98%
    of teachers developed a strong relationship with their students through the Festival process

    Every year we help thousands of young people from across the UK become better at teamwork, more confident and more ambitious.

    About our impact
    97%
    of teachers told us their students were better able to express themselves

    With us, young people change their attitude to learning; we instil curiosity, empathy and pride.

    About our impact
    86%
    of teachers reported that their students' academic attainment improved

    We work to promote educational attainment - especially in literacy, literature and the performing arts.

    About our impact
    93%
    of teachers told us the Festival improved their teaching

    We work to promote educational attainment - especially in literacy, literature and the performing arts.

    About our impact
    86%
    of teachers said that their students' behaviour improved as a result of the Festival

    We work to promote educational attainment - especially in literacy, literature and the performing arts.

    About our impact
    95%
    of teachers stated that students were more enthusiastic about learning

    We work to promote educational attainment - especially in literacy, literature and the performing arts.

    About our impact
    86%
    of teachers reported that attainment in English improved

    We work to promote educational attainment - especially in literacy, literature and the performing arts.

    About our impact
    10%
    of participants have English as an additional language

    We have used the power of Shakespeare to improve the life chances of thousands of the most disadvantaged young people in the UK and with children with special educational needs.

    About our impact
    11%
    of participants have a statement of educational needs

    We have used the power of Shakespeare to improve the life chances of thousands of the most disadvantaged young people in the UK and with children with special educational needs.

    About our impact
    12%
    of participants are eligible for free school meals

    We have used the power of Shakespeare to improve the life chances of thousands of the most disadvantaged young people in the UK and with children with special educational needs.

    About our impact
    27%
    of participants are minority ethnic

    We have used the power of Shakespeare to improve the life chances of thousands of the most disadvantaged young people in the UK and with children with special educational needs.

    About our impact
    More than
    1,000
    schools participate in the Festival

    We work nationwide - from Aberdeen to Aberdare, Carlisle to Clacton.

    About our impact
    Our young people will perform in front of
    65,000
    people nationwide

    At our core is our Festival - the world’s largest youth drama festival.

    About our impact
    In 2018 we will work with up to
    30,000
    young people

    At our core is our Festival - the world’s largest youth drama festival.

    About our impact
    96%
    of teachers said that their students were resilient as a result of the Festival

    With us, young people change their attitude to learning; we instill curiosity, empathy and pride.

    About our impact
    95%
    of teachers reported that their students were better able to empathise with each other

    With us, young people change their attitude to learning; we instill curiosity, empathy and pride.

    About our impact
    99%
    of teachers said that their students increased in confidence

    Every year we help thousands of young people from across the UK become better at teamwork, more confident and more ambitious.

    About our impact
    97%
    of teachers agreed that their students were better at working together as a team

    Every year we help thousands of young people from across the UK become better at teamwork, more confident and more ambitious.

    About our impact
    94%
    of students are more likely to seek out new opportunities

    With us, young people change their attitude to learning; we instill curiosity, empathy and pride.

    About our impact
    More than
    250,000
    young people have taken part in the Festival

    At our core is our Festival - the world’s largest youth drama festival.

    About our impact

    Join the Festival – bring Shakespeare to your pupils

    SSF provides you with everything you need - resources, workshops, expert advice, dedicated support and more - to direct your students in a life-changing performance of Shakespeare on a local professional stage.

    SSF is a cultural education charity that exists to instil curiosity and empathy, aspiration and self-esteem, literacy and teamwork - giving young people the confidence to see that all the world is their stage.

    Learn more about us

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    We use your email address to keep in touch with you about the work we do with young people, our fundraising appeals, events and products. By signing up, you are confirming you are 16 or over. We will never sell your data and we promise to keep your details safe and secure. You can change your mind and unsubscribe at any time by emailing [email protected]. For further details on how your data is used and stored see our Privacy Policy.
    Telephone: 020 7601 1800
    3rd Floor, 140 London Wall, London, EC2Y 5DN
    Shakespeare Schools Foundation is a registered charity, No. 1164676
    and a limited company (England and Wales), No. 9883201
    © Shakespeare Schools Foundation 2019