School Workshops

The Poetry of Shakespeare

With many of Shakespeare’s characters, it’s definitely not a case of “what you see is what you get”. So this engaging activity puts them centre stage by bringing out both the visible and the invisible. Macbeth plays the role of the loyal subject – but inside he’s a mass of seething ambition.

Introduction

Shakespeare’s greatest characters change as the plays they inhabit progress. So Macbeth moves from acting as his country’s brave and loyal servant to betraying it in a sea of blood. Juliet changes from a spoilt and truculent teenager to a tragic heroine – and Prospero undergoes a complete sea change from vengeful sorcerer to paragon of forgiveness. This experiential workshop uses drama techniques to introduce students to characters from a play of your choice, then introduces them to Clerihews – four line, descriptive, rhyming poems.

Exploring (depending on age, focus and time): backstories, narrative structure, characterisation, cause and effect, simple stagecraft, the roles of verse and prose, iambic pentameter, the power of metaphor, theatre history, “hidden stage directions”, Shakespearean conventions.

Contact Us

Year Groups	KS2 – KS4 P1 – S5
Curriculum	Poetry
Pupil Numbers	30 pupils per workshop
Duration	Minimum of 60 minutes
Space	Classroom

Workshop FAQs

How many pupils can take part?

This workshop can accommodate up-to 30 pupils at a time, in sessions lasting as little as one hour, meaning it is usually possible to have up-to 150 take part over the course of one day.

What is the format of the day?

We will work with you to plan a timetable to accommodate the number of classes you would like to include, based around the timings of your school day. It might look something like this:

9.00 – 10.00: Session 1

10.00 – 11.00: Session 2

11.00 – 12.00: Session 3

LUNCH

1.00 – 2.00: Session 4

2.00 – 3.00: Session 5

Are there any technical requirements?

Your visitor will need access to a laptop/ screen/projector set up in the working space.

“I’d like to say a huge thank you to Jackson for his delivery of our Shakespeare poetry workshop…the students have really enjoyed learning about Shakespeare in a very active way. All members of staff were very impressed with Jackson and have all commented on how they cannot wait to use some of the techniques to inform their future practice. I’m sure we will be looking to work with you again in the future.”

Guardian Angels Catholic Primary School

“Today was genuinely my favourite ever workshop with Jo. My Year 4’s absolutely loved our full day of all things Macbeth and we cannot wait to continue back in the classroom tomorrow. Jo; you’re inspirational!”

Portsmouth Grammar School