FAQs - Associate Schools

• What is the Associate Schools programme?

  The Associate Schools programme is the RSC's long-term partnership programme with schools and Regional Theatres across England.

• How can we become an Associate School?

  Click here to find out how your school can join the Associate Schools programme or email associate.schools@rsc.org.uk

• How much does it cost?

  Each Lead Associate School works together with their theatre partner to create a programme of work. Associate Schools make a financial contribution towards this, but there is no set charge as the programme will vary in each region. Many elements of the programme are free; for example, the RSC's Free Schools Broadcasts and access to an annual Playmaking Pack which includes teaching and performance resources on one or two plays per year. There are costs attached to other elements of the programme but these would be shared across the cluster of Associate Schools.

   

• What level of commitment does it require from a school?

  Commitment is required at all levels, from Senior Leadership to all the teachers who will actively take part in the programme. 

   

• How many and which teachers from our school can take part?

  Each Lead Associate School is required to assign three Lead Teachers to coordinate the project, but many more can benefit. In many primary schools, involvement will probably be across the school with classes as young as nursery and Reception taking part. In Secondary schools, teachers from both English and Drama will benefit.

• Is the programme open to Primary, Secondary and Special schools?

  Yes. We have Primary, Secondary and Special schools successfully working in the project.

• For how long are schools a part of the programme?

  Schools join the Associate Schools programme for two years and can extend their involvement at the end of this period.

• What are the benefits of being an Associate School?

  Read about the benefits of a partnership with the RSC

   

• Do you have any advice from a school currently in the programme?

  Read one Headteacher's advice to any school considering working with us

  1. Forget everything you thought you knew about Shakespeare and your students. We are a non-selective school and used to be, academically, one of the lowest achieving schools in the country. Introducing new techniques and a more active way of teaching Shakespeare has had a massive impact on literacy levels and aspirations and we are now one of the highest achieving non-selective schools in the country.

  2. Get the whole school involved - especially the parents.  Initially we encountered some resistance but we sent information home and held sessions where we invited parents to ask questions. The combination of their own children’s enthusiasm and seeing Shakespeare performed live in their local theatre has completely transformed opinions. It has brought people together and helped develop a renewed sense of pride and joint purpose within the whole community.

  3. Get your staff on board. Some may initially find the idea of Shakespeare – and particularly plays they aren’t familiar with – daunting. But taking that leap of faith is well worth it. Learning techniques the actors use in rehearsals has not only reinvigorated our own teaching practise but we often use the techniques in other areas of learning. We also harness the students’ enthusiasm for Shakespeare in other subjects like History where students have re-enacted the battle of Agincourt and looked at how accurate Shakespeare’s account of history actually was.

  4. Get students up on their feet. One of the first things we changed was to push all the desks to the side of the classroom and get students to move around the room, playing games to unlock the language and bring out the rhythm and meaning of the words. The students love it, the energy is infectious and the learning just happens. 

  5. Be prepared to work hard. This is about going the extra mile but the rewards are plentiful including students who aren’t afraid to take on a challenge; who believe in their own abilities; who think critically and for themselves; have higher aspirations and improved attitudes to learning. Ultimately what that means is that students and staff are happier and the children want to achieve and aspire to more.

• Who are the current Theatre Partners and Lead Associate Schools?

  • Treviglas Community College partnered with Hall For Cornwall
  • St Mary's College partnered with Hull Truck
  • Southcoates Primary Academy partnered with Hull Truck
  • Fulford School partnered with York Theatre Royal
  • Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Primary School partnered with The Grand Theatre Blackpool
  • Canterbury Academy partnered with The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury
  • King Ethelbert School partnered with The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury
  • Springhead Primary School partnered with The New Vic Theatre, Newcastle under Lyme
  • Uxbridge High School partnered with Intermission Theatre, London
  • Sacred Heart Catholic High School partnered with Northern Stage, Newcastle upon Tyne
  • Bradford College partnered with The Alhambra Theatre, Bradford
  • The Primary 6 Partnership (4 schools) partnered with Theatre Royal, Nottingham
  • Archibald Primary School partnered with the RSC
  • Eastbury Community School partnered with the RSC
  • Nelson Mandela School partnered with the RSC
  • Asfordby Captain's Close Primary School partnered with the RSC
  • NPAT partnered with the RSC
  • St Paul's C of E Primary School partnered with the RSC
  • Welcombe Hill School partnered with the RSC
  • Ormiston Sudbury Academy partnered with the RSC
  • Dowdales School partnered with the RSC
  • Wilstead Primary School partnered with the RSC
  • Newburgh Primary School partnered with the RSC
  • Sydenham Primary School partnered with the RSC
  • Launceston College partnered with the RSC
  • Crook Primary School partnered with the RSC

• Can being an Associate School help us to get Artsmark?

  Yes. Associate Schools can use the work they're doing towards Artsmark.

• What kind of preparation do we need to do to become a Lead Associate School?

  It is essential for any Lead Associate School to have deep experience of RSC work and its impact so that they can confidently recruit a cluster of Associate Schools. Find out more about becoming a Lead Associate School.