Shakespeare Schools Foundation (SSF) is a cultural education charity operating across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Each year, up to 30,000 young people from diverse communities and backgrounds throughout the UK[1], participate in the world's largest youth drama festival, the Shakespeare Schools Festival. Since 2000, SSF has worked with over 250,000 young people and their teachers, breaking down barriers to cultural participation.[2]
Mission
Shakespeare Schools Foundation (SSF) is a cultural education charity.[3] This event provides young people with the opportunity to develop confidence, creativity and communication skills through the performance of Shakespeare's works. Its mission is to give young people skills that will help to be successful in life.
Through tailored programs, curriculum resources, and standalone workshops, the charity works to enhance teamwork and boost educational attainment. SSF works with every type of school in the UK. They engage diverse groups, including those attending special schools and from minority ethnic backgrounds, and are working to reach those living in areas of deprivation.
- Aspirational
- Experiential
- Diverse
- Uniting
- Thrilling
- Transformative
Activities
SSF's flagship project is the world's largest youth drama festival. The charity trains teachers and young people in an active and ambitious way of working with Shakespeare. Every autumn, months of preparation culminate in over 1,000 performances from primary, secondary and special schools in over 130 theatres nationwide. SSF trains, supports, encourages and produces - making the creative, technical and artistic work of the schools possible.
Workshops and Curriculum Resources
SSF creates curriculum resources[5] and runs standalone workshops for students, teachers, and businesses.[6] For over 15 years, SSF has given participants tools applicable in classrooms and staff rooms, offices and boardrooms.
History
In 2016, the Shakespeare Schools Festival became Shakespeare Schools Foundation. See Shakespeare Schools Festival for the previous history.
2016
27,550 young people from 1,093 schools performed abridged versions of Shakespeare plays in 131 theatres across the UK as part of the 16th Shakespeare Schools Festival.
To celebrate the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death, SSF staged performances at 10 Downing Street,[7] Westminster Abbey, a West End Gala, and at the Queen's 90th birthday. SSF also hosted the Trial of Hamlet fundraiser.[8] Tried by QCs in front of Lady Justice Hallett, evidence from Gertrude, played by Meera Syal, Claudius, played by Tom Conti, and Player King, played by Lee Mack, was insufficient to find Hamlet, played by John Heffernan, guilty for the murder of Polonius.[9] SSF's young performers shared the stage with the cast.
2018
In 2018, the Foundation was awarded the Praemium Imperiale Grant for Young Artists,[10] having been selected for the award by Chancellor of the University of Oxford and former Chairman of the BBC Trust, Chris Patten.[11]
In April 2018, SSF hosted another West End fundraiser, "Trial of Richard III", this time at the Novello Theatre.[12] The cast included Hugh Dennis, David Oakes, Kae Alexander, Lady Justice Hallett, Ian Winter QC and John Kelsey Fry QC[13] with contributions from Ed Vaizey MP, Maggie Aderin Pocock and Tim Campbell.[14]
- James Dray (Chair)
- Guy Davies (Treasurer)
- James Hadley
- Geraint Talfan-Davies OBE
References
External links
