Studying Shakespeare – from Lower School to Sixth Form
14th March 25
As the world’s most famous playwright, the works of William Shakespeare can be enjoyed at any age – as KAS students from our Lower School and Sixth Form recently had the opportunity to appreciate.
In the same week as World Book Day, Sixth Formers journeyed to The Bard’s birthplace for an enriching educational trip, whilst Year 5 students performed one of his tragedies at the world’s largest youth theatre festival.
Sixth Form trip to Stratford-upon-Avon
Students studying A level English Literature at our Sixth Form journeyed to Stratford-Upon-Avon, where they explored Shakespeare’s legacy and deepened their understanding of Hamlet – a key A level text.
The day began with a visit to the home where the writer was born, giving students a vivid glimpse into the Elizabethan world. Later, the group toured Anne Hathaway’s cottage (pictured above), the picturesque childhood home of Shakespeare’s wife. According to the guides, students walked on the same flagstones that Shakespeare himself walked on when he was courting Anne!
A highlight of the afternoon was a lecture by Dr. Jennifer Waghorn, a distinguished Shakespearean academic from the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, who provided a thought-provoking analysis of Hamlet in performance.
The day concluded with watching a critically-acclaimed production of the play at The Royal Shakespeare Theatre (above). The unforgettable performance included a kinetic stage that mimicked the Titanic in its final hours.
The long but rewarding day gave students plenty to think about, discuss and draw on in their Hamlet exam responses.
Lower School perform Julius Caesar on stage
From one tragedy to another!
After many weeks of rehearsals, Lower School students gave a rousing performance of Julius Caesar on stage at the Arts Depot in Finchely. The performance was part of the Coram Shakespeare Schools Festival, the world’s largest youth drama festival.
The group’s rehearsal schedule included an in-school workshop with a theatre expert (below), who gave insights into the script and shared tips for bringing their performance to life.
Their hard work paid off, resulting in a fantastic performance and a great sense of achievement. Here’s what some of the students involved had to say about the experience:
“I loved learning about Shakespeare and making his plays come alive. Performing to strangers in the audience of the theatre was just so thrilling!” Rudi
“I enjoyed learning about a play I had never heard of before. I also liked being able to perform in a proper theatre, it was just amazing.” Bobbi
“I loved being on stage; it was so much bigger than I imagined! Getting the props for the first time made it all come to life. Brutus is a complex character because he feels different things throughout the play, and I liked stepping into that. I want to be in lots more Shakespeare plays!” Ottilie
Parents will be treated to a repeat performance of the production in a special Callover on Friday, 21 March.
Young Shakespeare is one of the various Lower School Enrichment options we offer to children in Years 3-6 every Friday afternoon. Enrichment is designed to help our students learn new skills, express their creativity, and foster a strong sense of community by allowing year groups to mix.
