Workshops for Special Schools by FINDING THE WILL
Inclusion Policy
FINDING THE WILL has an inclusion policy that actively strives to deliver exciting and educational workshops to all children and young people whatever their disability or impairment. We will make whatever reasonable adjustments we can to ensure that everyone is safe, welcome and able to take part.
As part of our preparation for a visit to your school we will have an in-depth conversation - either face to face or by telephone - to explore the best way in which FINDING THE WILL can provide the most positive workshop experience for each individual student.
Special Schools - Bespoke Workshops
The students require no prior knowledge of the play in fact we actively encourage teachers not to reveal the story before we arrive. Students of all ages and special needs can appreciate our two-hour interactive workshop. We tailor the sessions according to time, number of students, carers and abilities. The session is designed to be an interactive workshop whereby the students are encouraged to use their imaginations and to try and put themselves in the shoes of the characters. Using minimal props and costumes the students act out the entire story for each other and speak some of the original text.
We adapt our approach according to abilities but essentially the students improvise the story and put their own personal slant on it, for example naming the most popular stalls in Athens Market in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. With all age groups we include group activities giving every student the chance to perform to a level at which they feel comfortable.
The nature of the workshops means that we ask lots of questions so that if a student is more comfortable answering questions than performing there is plenty of opportunity to shine. Often the students are asked to describe a location, for example an island, a battle scene or a banquet – for FINDING THE WILL there are never wrong answers only interesting ideas - this provides an opportunity for the students to use some of their acquired knowledge. By the end of the session the students have a full understanding of the story and an appreciation of the language. Above all they know that Shakespeare is fun. A complimentary Teachers’ Pack is provided.