On Tuesday 19 March, hundreds of children from primary schools across Warwickshire participated in a day of free activities at venues across Shakespeare’s hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon to celebrate Shakespeare Week, the annual, national celebration of William Shakespeare, which is marking its 10th anniversary this year.
With this year’s theme focusing on the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust’s multi-year project, The Women Who Made Shakespeare, the pupils had the opportunity to explore the life, work and times of Shakespeare and the incredible women who inspired him through events, workshops, an online exhibition and activities.
Highlights included a live assembly with Horrible Histories’ illustrator, Martin Brown at Stratford Playhouse as he provided tips and tricks for cartooning and drawing as well as a special Shakespeare themed quiz.
Other activities included a visit to the childhood home of William Shakespeare, Shakespeare’s Birthplace and Shakespeare’s New Place for a sneak-peak at the new exhibition – ‘Hidden Voices’.
The pupils also had the opportunity to take on the roles of actors and directors in practical workshops on A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Royal Shakespeare Company and visited other attractions across the town linked to Shakespeare’s legacy, including Shakespeare’s Schoolroom & Guildhall.
‘’Stratford-upon-Avon Primary School always enjoy celebrating all things Shakespeare. The opportunity each year to access different events and places linked to Shakespeare for free on the Joint Open Day is fully appreciated.
‘’Sometimes, when you live in the place of someone famous, you might not always explore the local area in great depth and go further afield. For our pupils, it reminds them of how important Shakespeare is to the world - they get to celebrate our wonderful, eclectic town, and practical learning gained through the activities embeds even more knowledge and skills."
Commented Gill Humphriss, Headteacher at Stratford-upon-Avon Primary School who are taking part in the Joint Open Day.
This joint open day is free to all schools in the district and is organised by Shakespeare Birthplace Trust for Shakespeare Week each year in partnership with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Holy Trinity Church, Shakespeare’s Schoolroom & Guildhall, The Guild Chapel, the Orchestra of the Swan and The Town Hall.
‘’Bringing Shakespeare back home and giving children the opportunity to celebrate the Stratford -born writer has been wonderful – especially as we celebrate 10 years of the national event.
‘’The joint open day is always such a great success, with young pupils walking away feeling inspired and learning something new about Shakespeare. We want to extend a huge thank you to our partners across the town for again making this a day to remember.’’
Commented Sally Gray, Shakespeare Week Project Manager at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, the organisers of Shakespeare Week.
Shakespeare Week runs from Monday 18 to Sunday 24 March 2024 and is developed and delivered by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust and supported by Arts Council England. This year, Shakespeare Week is celebrating its 10-year anniversary and is inviting all schools, families and children nationwide to take part in celebrations.
Each year hundreds of thousands of children enjoy Shakespeare Week, which provides teachers, home educators and families with free online tools to take Shakespeare into their classrooms or homes, across every subject in the curriculum.
For more information, visit www.shakespeareweek.org.uk.