Planning an Education Visit

Find useful information to help you plan a trip to the RSC with students and teachers.

We welcome schools, college groups, further education groups and teachers to visit our venues in Stratford-upon-Avon to see our shows and participate in RSC Learning events. Here is information you might need to help plan your trip.

Seeing a show

If you are seeing a show in one of our venues, the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, the Swan Theatre or The Other Place you will be welcomed upon arrive by our Front of House team. Before you arrive here is some important information about your visit. 

  • Performances in our theatres will start at the stated time and it is best to arrive at least 20 minutes early. 
  • All bags will be searched on entry to the theatre. Due to the limited space in the auditorium we recommend not bringing them to the theatre building if possible. 
  • We're operating a cashless service in our theatres, this includes in our shop and cafe. Please note that pre-paid payment cards may not be accepted. 
  • Adult supervision (at a ratio of 1 adult to 10 students) is essential, and accompanying adults must sit in amongst their students during the performance.
  • Use of mobile phones and photography is not permitted during any performance.
  • Our auditoriums are built with a ‘thrust stage’ which means that, even in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, no one is ever more than 15 metres from the stage. It is therefore important that there is no talking or whispering during a performance, as it can distract the actors and other audience members.
  • If you have any issues prior to the day of the performance, please email learning.boxoffice@rsc.org.uk

Interval ice creams

You can pre-order interval ice creams for your students using the form below. We recommend doing this for large groups. Please remember our venues are cashless and pre-paid cards may not be accepted.

Download and complete our order form to pre-order your ice creams. Flavours available are ginger spice, salted caramel, vanilla and vegan chocolate. 

Ice Cream pre-order form (Word Doc)

Student EVENTS

If you are attending a workshop in our Clore Learning Centre, please read our What to Expect document.

Student insight Sessions

Pre-show Student Insight Sessions in our theatres

Bespoke Shakespeare Workshops

Two hour workshops on any Shakespeare play and The Empress with RSC Learning in the Clore Learning Centre, Stratford-upon-Avon.

Secondary Study Days

Half days of workshops on any Shakespeare play and The Empress with RSC Learning in the Clore Learning Centre, Stratford-upon-Avon.

 

Teacher Professional Development

Certificate in Teaching Shakespeare

This innovative suite of courses is designed to develop teachers' skills and confidence in using RSC rehearsal room approaches in the classroom.

INSET Days

Bespoke CPD workshops tailored to the specific needs of the group of teachers taking part, including Primary, Secondary, SEN, and more.

Visiting Stratford-upon-Avon

  • For information about how to find our venues see our Getting Here page 
  • Download a map of Stratford-Upon-Avon
  • If you need to contact us on the day of your visit please call Stage Door on 01789 296655 or the Clore Learning Centre on 01789 290439
  • If you would like to provide feedback on your visit please email feedback@rsc.org.uk
  • If you are visiting our venues for events we recommend that you bring a water bottle that you can refill on site, to avoid the use of single use cups. 
  • See Terms and Conditions for booking activities with RSC Learning.

Getting to the Clore Learning Centre

We have partnered with You.Smart.Thing, a travel assistant which helps visitors to the RSC and Stratford-upon-Avon find the best routes and receive personalised travel updates and live travel news when travelling to our theatres and events. It’s free to use, there’s nothing to download and you can quickly and easily plan your trip.

You can use You.Smart.Thing. to choose an efficient travel plan that suits you, that will help you reduce your carbon footprint or find the most suitable active travel route to our theatres. It can also help you access electric vehicle charging points, accessible parking and Park and Ride services.

Our travel assistant is still in development and will continue to be updated during this time.

FAQ - Planning an Education visit

  • Do you do discounted tickets for schools?

  • Activities in the theatre auditoriums

  • Adult/student ratios and supervision

  • Do you have risk assessments?

  • Can I download a seating plan?

  • Covid-19 Information

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POLICIES


Safeguarding
We uphold the principle that the welfare of children and adults at risk is paramount, and that all children and adults have the right to protection from abuse and neglect. Our Safeguarding Children Policy and Code of Conduct was established with advice from the NSPCC. See our safeguarding policies


Risk Assessments
Download our Clore Learning Centre Risk Assessment and download our School Groups Risk Assessment


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The work of the RSC Learning and National Partnerships department is generously supported by Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, The Clore Duffield Foundation, Foyle Foundation, GRoW @ Annenberg, The Polonsky Foundation, The Mackintosh Foundation, Stratford Town Trust, LSEG Foundation, The Goldsmiths’ Company Charity, John S Cohen Foundation, HDH Wills 1965 Charitable Trust, Teale Charitable Trust, The Grimmitt Trust, Sir James Knott Trust, The Oakley Charitable Trust, Misses Barrie Charitable Trust, and The Wyfold Charitable Trust

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