Shakespeare Schools Foundation - About Us

What is a Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation Teacher Ambassador?

Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation Teacher Ambassadors have gone above and beyond to champion the Festival and promote our values. We select Ambassadors to represent Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation and fly the flag for Shakespeare and cultural education across the UK.

Our Teacher Ambassador team has been particularly instrumental in helping us navigate a different educational landscape this year through regular focus groups and surveys. We are very grateful for their time and commitment.

As a thank you for all their work, Teacher Ambassadors access some fantastic rewards such as merchandise, exclusive workshops and CPD training, blogging and networking opportunities. If you'd like to help us transform lives through the power of Shakespeare, get in touch with us by emailing festival@coramshakespeareschools.org.uk.

What does a Teacher Ambassador do?

contributes to the creation of Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation workshops and resources advises on the curriculum and educational landscape in their area acts as a voice of experience in the Festival journey and advises new Teacher-Directors uses their professional networks (Teach Meets, cluster meetings, newsletters, educational conferences etc) to promote Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation champions Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation’s process and values throughout the Festival itself, helping to bring our unique process to more schools across the UK.

Meet our lovely Teacher Ambassadors below.

Our Ambassadors

Jill Strath
Priestlands School, Lymington

Background:

As Head of Drama at Priestlands, in the beautiful New Forest, the most significant decision I have made was the day, 16 years years ago, that I leapt into the exciting, inspiring world of CSSF and began the most exhilarating journey together with my cast. More than 500 Priestlands pupils have now shared the stage with over 1400 other phenomenal, young performers and have themselves developed a passion and joy for performing Shakespeare.

Favourite Shakespearean character:

My number one character has to be Kate Minola, The Taming of The Shrew, as she provoked such fierce, relevant debate and passionate performances from our pupils.

Why should schools take part in the Festival?

The elation and genuine sense of having achieved something momentous together is incredibly powerful and it’s impact far reaching. In the world of education where the focus is on raising standards, CSSF packs a serious punch!
Hannah Bridge
South Craven School, Keighley

South Craven School, Keighley

What's your approach to drama in the classroom?

For me, reading aloud and performance is what gives literature breath. And as for the festival, it’s less about seeing those lightbulb moments you look for in a classroom but like watching a dimmer switch being turned up to max.

What is your favourite Shakespeare play?

Tricky. It’s a close tie, and for very different reasons, between Hamlet and Titus Andronicus. Different plays edge it on different days, and a particular performance can make for a temporary favourite!
Michelle Ejueyitchie
Bensham Manor School, Croydon

My name is Michelle and I am delighted to be an ambassador for Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation.

I have an English Literature Degree and I studied drama and put on performances as part of my degree. I have a PGCE in English and Communication.

My interest in drama and Shakespeare developed when I studied A Level Performing Arts and English Literature. Performing is my first love; I have been involved in a wide range of performances over many years.

I am a trained singer, having performed for over 20 years in solo and group capacities. I have performed in venues around the country and on radio.

I have worked with disaffected youth in failing schools with educational psychologists, creating workshops and tailored resources to engage youth.

I write in my spare time and I am currently writing a screenplay about someone whose life slowly unravels.

I have spent a long time bringing drama to Bensham Manor School. It is now an integral part of the school curriculum. I have worked with drama leads to develop drama for pupils with SEND.

My favourite Shakespearean character is the Machiavellian Edmund from King Lear, I love his plotting and scheming. I particularly love his 'nature, thou art my goddess speech,' which encapsulates what he is all about.

I would recommend being a part of this amazing experience. For some of the pupils it is a once in a lifetime opportunity to be celebrated and feel that they can achieve something that most professional actors aspire to do. I particularly appreciate the inclusive way the practitioners patiently work with our pupils and encourage them. As a teacher, any nerves and apprehensions are dissolved. I feel supported by the Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation team and empowered.
Mark Rimmer
West Jesmond Primary School, Newcastle upon Tyne

I was thrust into the position of Teacher-Director when a colleague suddenly left, and to say I was apprehensive with the project as an NQT would be an understatement! However, from the moment I started on the first production, I haven’t looked back since and the Shakespeare production is now a real highlight of the year for me.

I am currently working on my fourth production (The Tempest) having had great experiences with Romeo and Juliet, Twelfth Night and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and definitely feel much more confident with every project. Whether it’s the initial drama skills and character development, scheming up the lighting and sound cues, or the moment the curtain goes up on the night of the performance, there’s an unmistakable buzz for me when working with the children on the production, and the pride the children get from taking part is fantastic to see.

Favourite Shakespearean character:
Sir Toby Belch from Twelfth Night, because he is such a free spirit and brought such animation to many scenes in that play with his cheeky, irreverent sense of humour. I also remember him being brought to life so well by the actor who played him in our production.

Why should schools take part in the Festival?

A great way to get to know many of your new class/year group Has built up my confidence inside the classroom as well as boosting the children’s confidence and maturity Build up your profile across the whole school Linking our Topic and English to the production means the children are able to really engage with it a lot more, and feel a great deal of ownership, therefore empathising with their characters and others Is so much fun both at the CSSF workshops and working in a more informal way with the children outside of lessons Build up professional links with other professional bodies and teachers at participating schools; we shared rehearsal time with a nearby partner school to give the children more experience of performing in front of an audience.
Jenny McDonald
Queen Elizabeth School, Luton

Jenny is a drama teacher who has always had a love of Shakespeare, but it wasn't until she started in her current post that she got the opportunity to direct some of the Bard's work. Jenny loves trying to use modern theatre techniques to bring Shakespeare to life for the students she is working with, all of the Coram Shakespeare Schools Festival performances she has directed have involved some sort of physical theatre. Jenny believes that the Festival is a fantastic platform for students to foster a love of Shakespeare as well as giving them the opportunity to perform in a professional theatre.

Favourite Shakespearean character: Lady Macbeth.
Emma Brown
Redmoor Academy, Hinkley

Why did you want to become a teacher?

I have always loved working with people, especially young people. I always loved drama (and dance) and love the passion it can bring out in people as well. English and Drama were the subjects I loved at school and my GCSE/A level drama teacher was a massive inspiration to me and I hope that in some way I can inspire others to achieve their dreams.

What's your approach to drama in the classroom?

In the classroom, drama should incorporate all the skills you need to be a well rounded person. I like the lessons to be fun, engaging and unlock the potential for each student. I love how students can come into a drama lesson and have a release from their everyday life, exploring lots of different topics and skills means there is something for everyone, therefore engaging students from different backgrounds and interests with things they may not otherwise try (like Shakespeare!).

Why should schools take part in the Festival?

I love the students faces when they have performed on stage! They love the fact that they are in their local theatre, performing where they would normally be watching! This is the moment that they shine and see all the hard work they have put in come to life. The appraisal at the end of the show makes the students buzz, because no matter how big or small their role - they made a show their own! The whole process from Teacher-Director workshops to the final show is an amazing experience every time, no matter how many years you have been involved!

What is your favourite Shakespeare play?

I love Shakespeare, so it's hard to pick just one play. The Taming of the Shrew has to be a big favourite, along with The Comedy of Errors. I love all of the classics, whether that be teaching, reading or watching.

More than

300,000

young people have taken part in the Festival

Our flagship project is the Festival - the world’s largest youth drama festival.

About our impact

Success story

Ben’s story

How Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation helped Ben overcome his stammer

Coram SSF is a cultural education charity that exists to instil curiosity and empathy, aspiration and self-esteem, literacy and teamwork - giving young people the confidence to see that all the world is their stage.

Learn more about us

Shakespeare Schools Foundation

Telephone: 020 7601 1800

Email: hello@coramshakespeareschools.org.uk

‹ › ×