Our CPD courses set out to deepen and extend your teaching practice. All involve a stronger exploration of the artistic practice of the RSC, working with practitioners and artists who sit at the heart of the company.
All courses take place in the Clore Learning Centre, Waterside, Stratford-upon-Avon unless otherwise stated and include lunch, refreshments and comprehensive supporting notes.
We offer a range of CPD opportunities for teachers of students aged 16 - 19.
Courses currently available are:
How to book »
Download full brochure (PDF 2MB) »
Teaching Shakespeare
In partnership with the University of Warwick, we have developed ground-breaking online resources and post-graduate accredited courses for teachers to transform your classroom experience of Shakespeare.
For more information, visit www.teachingshakespeare.ac.uk.
Text and Voice Masterclass: Reading the score
Friday 1 and Saturday 2 February 2013
Othello
Clore Learning Centre, Stratford-upon-Avon
Ideal for: Drama, Performing Arts and English teachers looking to extend and challenge their students.
This course gives you an immersive experience in the Text and Voice work that is a key part of the RSC's artistic work with actors as they go through the process of understanding and owning Shakespeare's language.
Over the course of the two days you will explore the complexities of the language physically and vocally, reading the full score of the text to uncover the practical help offered to the actor by the structures, sounds, rhythms and rhetoric embedded throughout the plays.
The work will refresh your ideas and extend your repertoire of teaching approaches when working with young people.
The course will be led by Alison Bomber, Senior Text and Voice coach at the RSC for seven years, and other members of the RSC's Voice and Movement departments.
Cost: £275 (£250 RSC Education Members)
This cost includes a ticket to the evening production on Friday 1 February 2013.
Directing Shakespeare with young people: Building an ensemble
Friday 8 and Saturday 9 February 2013
The Merchant of Venice and Othello
Clore Learning Centre, Stratford-upon-Avon
Restricted to a maximum of 14 participants.
Ideal for: All teachers seeking to develop their directing skills
This course offers a range of strategies and ideas to direct young people to confidently perform Shakespeare. The focus will be on directing approaches that encourage interpretive choices about character and motivation through a connection to Shakespeare's language.
You'll work with directors who are at the heart of the RSC to consider the role of the director, ensemble approaches to theatre-making, and how the company explores text in the rehearsal room. During the second day, you'll have chance to review the production that you've seen the night before and practice your directing skills.
Cost: £275 (£250 RSC Education Members)
This cost includes a ticket to the evening production.
This course is restricted to a maximum of 14 participants so please book early.
'What an amazing two days it's been! Utterly inspirational and a great privilege to work with you all. Thank you.'
Teacher participant, 2011
Active teaching of Shakespeare for English teachers
Friday 1 and Saturday 2 March 2013
The Merchant of Venice and Othello
Clore Learning Centre, Stratford-upon-Avon
Ideal for: All English teachers KS3+
This course will explore a variety of active approaches for teaching Shakespeare and understanding how his language works.
The days will focus on practical strategies to enable students to make interpretative choices by seeing a play from different characters' points of view. This will include exercises to develop students' appreciation of how images, rhythms, sounds and other aspects of Shakespeare's verse and prose shape the characters and build the world of the play. These activities ensure that students' writing about the texts is more detailed and specific, with stronger personal responses. These adaptations of rehearsal room approaches extend and enrich students' relationships with Shakespeare's work.
Cost: £275 (£250 RSC Education Members)
This cost includes a ticket to the evening production on Friday 1 March 2013
'It has been so valuable gaining knowledge from experienced educationalists. I have picked up so many tips and ideas that I can't wait to put into my next teaching session on Shakespeare.'
Teacher participant, 2011
How to book
To book any of these courses, or to find out more information, please call our Education Ticket Hotline on 0844 800 1113. This line is staffed by education specialists who can answer your questions and take your bookings.
It is open from 8.30am - 5pm Monday - Friday during term-time.
Outside these hours, please call 0844 800 1110.
Alternatively email education@rsc.org.uk or complete the online booking form and then email it to us.
Discounted tickets for teachers
When you attend a course in Stratford-upon-Avon you can buy a ticket for the production showing that night for £12.50 (subject to availability).
RSC Education Membership
For just £18 per year, your school can become an RSC Education Member which gives all staff a range of benefits including priority booking for tickets, discounts for education activities and special Members events.
Find out more »