SHS joins theatre partnership to help 'celebrate and cherish' Shakespeare

CREDIT Photo by Sam Allard c RSC First Encounters The Merchant of Venice Next Generation ACT full company with Robin Belfield 2019 Photo by Sam Allard c RSC 288108

Sutherland House School has recently joined a long-term partnership between The Royal Shakespeare Company, regional theatres and other schools across England.

This partnership is run by the RSC's Associate Schools Programme. The Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall in Nottingham has been an Associate Schools partner theatre since 2017, and welcomes nine new local schools, including Sutherland House School, to join the programme from September 2024.

As members of this partnership, Sutherland House School's students and staff will have access to performances, training opportunities, and theatre tours.

They will also have the chance to engage in the RSC’s Shakespeare Ambassadors programme, training young people to be Leaders in Shakespeare, as well as the RSC’s Next Generation talent development programme and annual Playmaking Festival.

Partner schools will focus on a different Shakespeare play each year, having the opportunity to perform on the Theatre Royal stage in summer 2025, as well as multiple opportunities to enjoy live and exclusive performances.

A recent study found that schools who engaged in RSC teaching approaches enjoyed positive impacts on the confidence, literacy skills and problem-solving ability of the young people who participated.

RSC Associate Schools partnered with Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall from September 2024:

  • Bluecoat Beechdale Academy (Lead School)
  • Bulwell Academy
  • Djanogly City Academy
  • Southglade Primary School
  • Chilwell School
  • Sutherland House School
  • The Joseph Whitaker School
  • Bluecoat Trent Academy
  • Sir John Sherbrooke Junior School
CREDIT Photo by Joe Bailey c RSC First Encounters Twelfth Night 2022 2022 Photo by Joe Bailey c RSC 336665

Image credits:

Heading image © Sam Allard

Right-hand image and thumbnail © Joe Bailey

All imagery in this article has been kindly provided by The RSC Press Office for editorial purposes.