Covid-19 – The New Normal Working in Schools

FINDING THE WILL has been working in Primary and Special Schools since 2007 introducing Shakespeare through Interactive Workshops and Shakespeare Project Weeks. Over the years, our work has proved invaluable to many schools. As well as enhancing the Literacy curriculum, we also have a reputation for raising self-esteem and confidence in children plus improving teamwork, listening, concentration and creative skills. However, this lovely work requires, for the large part, face to face interaction.

Jules and Richard peeking through framed prints saying awesome

Interactive Workshops

Depending on the size of your school and, therefore, the size of your bubbles, we can offer Interactive Workshops with one or two practitioners. The workshops can take place in your classroom (preferably with desks moved to the edge of the room). Our practitioners will stand at the front of the class (socially distanced) and the workshop will be run with the children sitting in front of us, facing forward. In advance of the workshop, we will send you a list of the characters so that you can write the names on sticky labels which can be left on a table away from us, to be collected by the children/characters when appropriate. We will also send you a list of basic props such as crowns and swords. Again these can be left on a table away from us for the children/characters to collect when directed. We can provide a portable CD player if required. We will of course have hand sanitiser and anti-bacterial wipes so that, if we touch your equipment, we can wipe it immediately afterwards. We also have face coverings, should they be required. We will discuss with you all arrangements prior to our visit to ensure we are complying with all the Covid-Safe measures in your school regarding timing, breaks, lunchtime arrangements etc.

school children acting in the play McBeth

Shakespeare Project Weeks

As things stand, the Shakespeare Project Weeks will have to be put on hold, because of the bubbles and the fact that assemblies are not currently permitted (so there can be no audience at the end of the week apart from anything else!), the Project Weeks require more than one Year Group or class (or bubble).

GCSE/A Level/University Students

For English and/or Drama students we offer live-streamed performances of ‘Bard Heads’ – a collection of monologues (each lasting 50 minutes) which explores what may have happened to various Shakespeare characters after the end of the play. If you are studying Macbeth, Hamlet, Romeo & Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Twelfth Night or The Tempest, this offers a look back at the play through an imaginative, in-depth character study. It will inspire students of both English and Drama to think outside the box about the play, the themes and the motivations of the characters. The live stream can be accomplished using a platform of your choice (Zoom, CrowdCast, Google Classroom Webcast etc). The performance can be followed by a Q&A.

Jules Hobbs in her kitchen preparing for her role in The Third Witch From The Left

The Queen’s Speech - Finding The Will - Shakespeare - Bard Heads

OMG CALL ME OZ - Shakespeare - Bard Heads - Finding The Will

The-Third-Witch-From-The-Left - Shakespeare - Finding The Will - Bard Heads

Dog, Book And Scandal - Shakespeare - Bard Heads - Finding The Will

These are difficult times but we are determined that your students should not miss out. We will work with you to make all visits and interactions as Covid-Safe and friendly as possible!

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Please contact jules@findingthewill.com