Throughout the school, pupils have been exploring the life and works of William Shakespeare, learning about his local relevance and the lasting impact of his plays. At the heart of this year’s celebrations has been a focus on The Tempest, with children across all year groups immersing themselves in its magical world.

Classrooms have been alive with a variety of engaging activities. Pupils enjoyed watching selected BBC episodes of Shakespeare plays, helping bring the stories and characters to life. Some also took part in a creative “Survival Challenge” based on The Tempest, drawing imaginative island scenes and considering how the characters might survive in a magical, mysterious world.

A particular highlight of the week was a series of lively assemblies where the Headteacher brought Shakespeare to life—with a few creative twists! For The Tempest, a storm soundscape enhanced the magical atmosphere. King Lear took on a Strictly-style format, with “judges” voting on the daughters’ speeches and actions, while Macbeth was presented as a game show, complete with audience-style chanting. Pupils eagerly stepped forward to perform these scenes from all three plays: amongst others, Oscar became Prospero, Finn took on Macbeth, Matilda bravely performed as Lady Macbeth, Theo took on the role of Ariel and Mischa wore a crown as King Lear - he was nervous at first, but "drew on previous experience from Bloxham's Got Talent"!

These children, alongside others, delighted in performing in front of their peers, and the applause they received boosted their confidence. With each performance, pupils grew more assured, relishing the chance to take on a character and express themselves dramatically. Speaking with a group of Year 3 and 4 students, they shared how much they had enjoyed the experience, and said it had inspired them to learn more about Shakespeare—and even watch a full play in the future.

Our youngest learners in Foundation Stage also embraced the week with great enthusiasm. They created portraits of Shakespeare and began learning key facts about his life, taking their first steps into the world of one of England’s most celebrated writers.

This week has been a fantastic opportunity to deepen pupils’ engagement with literature and develop their skills in expression and performance. Learning about Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare’s birthplace, has also helped pupils appreciate the local connection to such an influential writer. We are already looking forward to exploring another Shakespeare play next year and continuing this special tradition.