Shakespeare Birthplace Trust’s Immersive Workshops at Mary Arden’s Farm Warwickshire

Shakespeare Birthplace Trust’s Immersive Workshops at Mary Arden’s Farm Warwickshire offers a range of informative, interactive history and drama workshops designed to bring Shakespeare and his works to life for key stages 1 and 2.

The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust cares for the five Shakespeare Family Homes and offers an exceptional and unique ‘Shakespeare-centred’ experience. Using our extensive archives, museum and library collection, we have developed a range of inspiring and memorable educational workshops for Primary Learning designed to deepen the understanding and enjoyment of Shakespeare’s life, works and times. The workshops take place in the beautiful surroundings of Mary Arden’s Farm, the family home of William Shakespeare’s mother.

The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust’s Primary Learning history or drama workshops are designed to bring William Shakespeare and Tudor history to life. Our experienced team of teachers and practitioners deliver lively, curriculum-focused sessions rooted in historical authenticity where pupils can explore Shakespeare’s life, stories, language and heritage in memorable ways. Through discussion, hands-on activities and immersive experiences, pupils are encouraged to ask questions, make connections and discover Shakespeare for themselves.

The Trust has held the Heritage Education Trust’s Sandford Award since 2006.

We offer a range of hands-on, informative and inspiring courses to bring Shakespeare and his works to life for all ages and key stages. Please see the website for full details of our extensive programme:

www.shakespeare.org.uk/education/schools/

Early Years and Foundation Stage

An action-packed day of activity involving play, discovery and exploration for Early Years and Foundation Stage children in a beautiful outdoor setting:

• Planting the Seeds for Shakespeare.

Key Stage 1

Full day onsite workshops focusing on Shakespeare’s family life, through hands-on learning and story-telling rooted in historical discovery:

• Sharing Shakespeare’s Story
• William on the Farm
• Shakespeare Starts Here.

Key Stage 2

A choice of full day hands-on history or drama workshops that bring Shakespeare and Tudor history to life in practical and creative ways:

• Tudors Alive! – costumed or non-costumed
• Getting to Know Will
• Best Will in the World (with a choice of four focus plays – A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Tempest, Macbeth and Twelfth Night.)
• The Play’s the Thing

Up to 60 children on a single day.  Larger three form entry schools may need to come over two days.  Please contact learning@shakespeare.org.uk if you are planning to bring a larger group.

For small groups there is a minimum charge based on 20 children.

School groups must have a minimum ratio of 1:10 accompanying adults.  All accompanying adults are free of charge for the Primary Learning workshops.

There are free, downloadable Shakespeare inspired resources available on our Shakespeare Week website at the following link: https://www.shakespeareweek.org.uk/

Non-flash photography is permitted within the historical properties. Schools are welcome to take photographs of their own pupils.

Risk assessments for the farm site and individual workshops are available on request.

Pre-visits can also be arranged (Mondays to Fridays during term time) for any teachers needing to complete their own school risk assessment or to familiarise themselves with the site ahead of the visit.

We have a visual “What to Expect” guide to the farm site that we can share as required.

For more information, please contact the Learning department by emailing Learning@shakespeare.org.uk.

For costs, please see our website here or email the Learning Department at Learning@shakespeare.org.uk.

No, although pupils are encouraged to wear sensible sturdy shoes (not wellington boots) and clothing that offers suitable protection against the weather whilst moving around the site.

We have our own first aiders, but it is always advisable to bring a designated first aider with your group.

Groups can eat their lunch indoors in the teaching spaces.  There are gender neutral toilets across the site including two accessible toilets.

We don’t have a shop onsite but schools can pre-order goody bags to collect on the day.

The farm site is wheelchair accessible.  Wheelchair users can access parts of the downstairs of the Tudor farmhouse and there is a video that shows the upstairs rooms.

We have two accessible toilets.  Please note we do not currently have a changing space with a hoist on site.  The nearest is located in Stratford upon Avon town centre.

We ask visiting groups to advise in advance of any access or mobility needs and will take what action we can to accommodate these.

The workshops run from 10.00 am to 2.30 pm, but adjustments can be made with advance notice.

The farm site is only open when we have a workshop running.  These can be booked Mondays to Fridays between March and November inclusive.

“Continued to develop their knowledge of Shakespeare. We have been learning about ‘local heroes’. Fantastic drama workshop. Animals an added bonus.” – Hurley Primary School

“It would be difficult to improve on what we feel was perfection in a school experience.” – St Michael’s CofE Primary School

“Fantastic knowledge shared from all staff.  Great to be in small groups so children get to experience in greater depth.  Sessions were varied and well led. Children were engaged and able to ask questions. Our SEND children were taken into consideration.” – Park Lane Junior School

“Storytelling at its best.” – Firfield Primary School

“All sessions were very well organised and fun.  Leaders were engaging and very knowledgeable – children loved it.  A teacher’s dream for a school trip.” – Walsgrave CofE Primary School

“Really safe environment with age appropriate learning that helps engage the children.” – Emscote Infant School

Details of our loan box can be found at the following link: https://www.shakespeare.org.uk/education/schools/key-stage-2/loan-box/

We also offer talks and workshops for Keystage 3-5 and details of these can be found at: https://www.shakespeare.org.uk/education/schools/

The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust cares for the five Shakespeare houses.  Two are currently used to deliver our teaching sessions, while the other three are open for the public to visit.  Further information can be found at the following link: https://www.shakespeare.org.uk/visit/