This post is written by Lexi Earl. In a Year Seven class at Eastbury School in Barking, London, the students are studying A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The purpose of the class is to enable students to emphathise with Helena’s situation and so to begin, the teacher has the class read a version of Helena’s speech, … Continue reading shakespeare in east london: Helena is crushing on Demetrius!
RSC
a shared approach to shakespeare
This post originally appeared on the RSC's News page. We have published it here with kind permission from the RSC. This post is written by Becca Wood, an English teacher at Towers School. Working as the lead teacher at my school, within the Associate Schools’ programme has shown me the power of shared experience. My … Continue reading a shared approach to shakespeare
understanding complex moral debates through drama
This post is written by Lexi Earl. During my visit to Sacred Heart School in Newcastle, I observed part of a Year 8 drama class. The class were studying a scheme of work based on Brecht’s The Caucasian Chalk Circle. The play the girls were studying revolves around a boy who is left abandoned by … Continue reading understanding complex moral debates through drama
investing in drama and performing arts
This post is written by Lexi Earl. During my trip to Uxbridge High School Amy Walker, the drama teacher, was keen to show me their new performing arts building . This new space was opened in September. It features a large drama studio with long blackout curtains that has a wall of moveable windows that … Continue reading investing in drama and performing arts
“we are such stuff as dreams are made of”
This post is written by Lexi Earl, on her trip to Canterbury High School in Kent. Imagine, if you will, walking along a coastal path. The seagulls are calling above you. The sky is blue and the sun warms your back. The sea crashes nearby, giving you glimpses of blue, green, aquamarine. Then you turn … Continue reading “we are such stuff as dreams are made of”
beware the ides of March!
This post is written by Lexi Earl, on her trip to King Ethelbert School in Kent. During my time at King Ethelbert School, near Margate in Kent, I got to observe a Year 7 English class. The class were studying Julius Caesar. The English Department had chosen Julius Caesar as the Year 7 Shakespeare text … Continue reading beware the ides of March!
self-expression and reflection
This post is written by Lexi Earl on her visit to Ark St Albans Academy in Birmingham. On my visit to Ark St Albans Academy I had an inspiring talk with a group of Year 13s. I was struck by the way the students talked about how involvement in creative activities had taught them how … Continue reading self-expression and reflection
empathising and understanding the character
This post is written by Lexi Earl on her experiences at Minsthorpe Community College. On my visit to Minsthorpe Community College in west Yorkshire, I was able to observe a Year Seven English lesson on Much Ado about Nothing. The lesson made use of the rehearsal room approaches encouraged by the RSC. The lesson took place in … Continue reading empathising and understanding the character
rehearsal room practice
St Mary’s College in Hull has an impressive proscenium theatre and an ambitious programme of productions. Director of Performance, Neil Wood, has worked in musical theatre professionally and he draws on this background in his approach to teaching: I always say to my students right at the beginning that when they walk through the doors … Continue reading rehearsal room practice
it’s a different kind of hard work
In this post Anton Franks reflects on his visit to one of the RSC partnership schools: Arriving at Ark Helenswood Academy lower school site on a sunny June morning in Hastings, I am met by Niall Whitehead, a drama teacher and the Director of Performing Arts in the school. He’s a very busy man – … Continue reading it’s a different kind of hard work
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