Starting from November 2024, this exciting partnership aims to enrich both students’ and teachers’ practice through innovative workshops, performances and professional development programmes.
This collaboration will begin with an initial pilot programme which will focus on the RSC's approaches to discovering, engaging with and performing the plays of Shakespeare. This practical teaching approach to exploring language and the plays is designed to strengthen students' sense of confidence and joy in performing Shakespeare. The programme also aims to enhance critical thinking and public speaking skills. The initiative is grounded in RSC Learning’s unparalleled award-winning expertise in Shakespeare’s works and years of research demonstrating how the plays can unlock a young people’s potential, confidence and self-esteem.
The partnership will build on BST’s strong culture of performance and its investment in performance technology thus far. It is hoped that this exceptional experience will support BST students in reaching their full, unique potential and in developing a strong and purposeful sense of themselves, in the rich context of Britain’s Shakespearian heritage.
In the inaugural year, RSC Learning will lead a comprehensive five-day workshop series from 11-15 November, 2024, for students from Primary and Secondary schools. The programme will be artist and teacher-led, with a strong emphasis on teacher professional development and student engagement at all levels of the school, and teaching the texts.
BST is committed to nurturing each student’s unique potential, fostering personal growth, and inspiring students through thoughtfully designed learning challenges. Using their playful and engaging rehearsal room approaches, the RSC will provide BST students with the confidence, skills and resources to be able to analyse, interrogate and explore Shakespeare’s texts in a creative, and enjoyable way.
This partnership is a significant step forward in BST’s mission to inspire and challenge students, preparing them for success in both their academic and personal lives. By embracing the power of the theatre and Shakespeare’s timeless works, BST is offering students an unparalleled opportunity to grow and thrive, and enjoy the transcendent power of art.
Mr Ian Clayton, Principal of The British School in Tokyo, said:
We are delighted to be associated with such a wonderful organisation as the RSC. It perfectly aligns with our mission, that is to say, the quintessential Britishness of Shakespeare, but ‘incorporating a distinctly international outlook’. We know that the students and teachers who work with the RSC will be greatly enriched by the experience. We are excited to host the RSC and look forward to more collaborations in the future.
RSC Fiona Ingram, Head of Learning, RSC, added:
Our mission is to bring people together to experience Shakespeare and stories that deepen our understanding of ourselves, each other and the world around us. We are excited to have this cultural exchange with BST students and teachers, developing an understanding of Shakespeare and our world today. Throughout this partnership, we will be working with a wide range of students and teachers, and we are very much looking forward to meeting them all to start to share our practice to develop work together. It is a privilege for the RSC to be working with the students and teachers at The British School in Tokyo.
BST is incredibly grateful to The Halabi Thomaz Foundation’s support to funding these excellent projects.
About The British School in Tokyo
The British School in Tokyo was founded in 1989. In the past 35 years it has continually grown and flourished, with a commitment to excellence – delivering education founded in the English National Curriculum and embracing all that our uniquely international and Japanese setting provides.
BST currently provides world-class education to over 1,300 students representing over 60 nationalities in our two campuses within Tokyo, starting with Nursery classes for children aged 3 through to Year 13 aged 18 years old. BST developed a reputation as one of the best international schools in Japan, and its students transfer to leading universities worldwide.
The School’s mission is to nurture each student’s unique potential and strive to help them create a strong sense of self built around purpose and passion. While the School aims to develop the following values:
- We strive to achieve our personal best.
- We are honest and show kindness, compassion and respect for others.
- We are curious, creative and innovative in our thinking.
- We embrace diversity and celebrate individuality.
- We are internationally minded and culturally aware.
- We have a sense of social and environmental responsibility.
About The Royal Shakespeare Company
The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) The Royal Shakespeare Company’s mission is to bring people together to experience stories that deepen our understanding of ourselves, each other and the world around us, and that bring joy. Shakespeare’s restless exploration of all of human nature is our inspiration and touchstone.
The Company’s roots lie in the bold vision of a local brewer, Edward Fordham Flower, who in 1879 established a theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon with his son Charles. The RSC as we know it today was formed by Sir Peter Hall, whose ambition was to produce new plays alongside those of Shakespeare and his contemporaries. We continue this today across our three permanent theatres in Stratford – the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, the Swan Theatre and The Other Place – and indeed online and around the globe. We believe everybody’s life can be enriched by culture and creativity. Our transformative Creative Learning and Engagement programmes reach over half a million young people and adults each year. We have collaborated with generations of the very best theatre makers and we continue to nurture the talent of the future.
Co-Artistic Directors
Daniel Evans & Tamara Harvey
Executive Director
Andrew Leveson
rsc.org.uk
@thersc
Registered charity no. 212481
