SSF Brings Shakespeare to Primary Schools with Hopes of Improving Student Literacy

Online, January 27, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Shakespeare Schools Festival (SSF) has just announced the launch of its Festival for primary schools across the UK. This year around 4000 children aged 8 - 11 will perform Shakespeare in their local professional theatres alongside neighbouring secondary schools.

The expansion into the primary sector has come following increased requests from teachers eager to get involved in previous years.

Caroline Silvester from St. Swithun's Junior School took part in last year's pilot project. She said,

"It is such an exciting, worthwhile project. It feels like what I had been trying to do in isolation was suddenly given wings, and outside validation. I wanted the children to feel part of a large event, not just in their own school."

This demand from teachers, coupled with SSF's belief that Shakespeare's plays really are for everyone has quashed the argument about whether or not the Bard's too hard.
The primary pilot last year saw 50 teachers take the leap of faith in schools around England and Wales. They coached their students towards outstanding performances which were often received with standing ovations from paying audiences and exceeded the expectations of staff and parents.

Now SSF looks to extend the reach to 200 primary schools in autumn 2012, with the aim of igniting an interest in Shakespeare before students have the chance to develop a fear of the unknown. SSF's Chief Executive Penelope Middelboe explains,

'Shakespeare is daunting for many people, whatever age, but we know that young people who have performed it no longer feel intimidated by the language and are much more likely to revisit the plays at a later stage. We hope that dispelling the myths that Shakespeare is hard or irrelevant earlier will improve engagement later on.'

Year 6 students from Hanslope Primary School performed during the 2011 Festival. Their pupils said,

'Usually I hide at the back of the crowd unseen by others, but performing has been really good as it has changed my idea about speaking up so people can hear me'.

'The standing ovation at the end made me feel so good...it was the best thing we have done so far in year 6'

Their teacher, Chris Czornyj said:

'[the festival was] an uplifting experience. I have gained new skills, all of which are adaptable to the classroom, and have produced my first ever play in a professional theatre!'

SSF has devised Teacher Development workshops and resources especially for Key Stage 2, guiding teachers with little or no dramatic experience through the daunting stages from rehearsals and student comprehension to final performance. Primary school scripts have been specially devised with added narration, notes for teachers and pupils, and supporting curriculum packs.

'The Department of Education reported in December that 'one third of 11 year olds are not doing well enough in the three R's'[1]. SSF hopes to see Shakespeare more readily embedded in the primary school curriculum and consequently see an impact on literacy at key stage two.

Registration for SSF 2012 is now open. For more information go to: www.ssf.uk.com/howitworks

For interviews, case studies or further information about SSF contact Annie Hughes: 020 7601 1811/ annie.hughes@ssf.uk.com