Shakespeare to be celebrated in schools with children as young as five
Shakespeare week will mark the Bard's 450th birthday
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Plans for an annual national Shakespeare week - to be launched next year on the 450th anniversary of the Bard’s birth - will be announced tonight.
The idea is to allow children from the age of five at primary school to celebrate the Bard in a week-long series of events which could include making traditional Tudor dishes in cookery lessons or playing Tudor sports like real tennis.
As part of the venture, the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust will make available free online materials to help teachers celebrate Shakespeare’s work.
The plan has received the backing of Education Secretary Michael Gove who said: “Shakespeare’s language is our language. It is our inheritance. Through Shakespeare week, many pupils will have the chance to share and enjoy this inheritance.”
The campaign is also backed by leading academics and actors including Dame Judi Dench and expects to introduce three million children and their families to Shakespeare during the week.
The Coalition Government has already signalled its support for Shakespeare by insisting that - under the curriculum for GCSE's - 14 to 16-year-olds should in future study two Shakespeare plays not just one. It also says seven to 11-year-olds should learn about Shakespeare in history lessons.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments