Bluecoat Beechdale Academy has welcomed the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), one of the world’s best known theatre companies, to its school for a week of performances.
The academy, part of Archway Learning Trust, played host to actors from the RSC this October, when they performed a special 80 minute First Encounters production of King Lear aimed at new and younger audiences.
As the Lead RSC Associate School in a partnership with the Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall in Nottingham, Bluecoat Beechdale welcomed local primary and secondary students across the Trust into the school to see the play. A performance was also held for the wider community, including families and teachers.
Martha Toogood, Arts Enrichment and Enhancement Co-ordination at Archway Learning Trust said: “It’s been an incredible week of culture, arts and entertainment at the Trust and we’re delighted to see how well-received it has been by staff, students and the wider community. Initiatives like these aren’t just important for helping children connect with the arts, but also improving their overall engagement in the classroom, building confidence and boosting literacy skills.” 
It comes amid Government plans to boost the creative curriculum and offer greater access to high-quality arts education, acknowledging the vital and unique role the sector plays in driving school standards.
James Higham, CEO at Archway Learning Trust, added: “We’re committed to transforming lives through education – which we believe takes place both inside and outside the traditional classroom. We’ve invested heavily in the arts and ensuring our students across the Trust have access to the best opportunities and resources at our disposal. It’s been truly wonderful to see the impact this is having across the Trust.”
Georgia White, the Deputy Director of Creative Learning and Engagement at the Royal Shakespeare Company, added: “What a shining example Bluecoat Beechdale Academy is of how to provide children with an arts rich education and opportunities for them to succeed and thrive.”
Archway Learning Trust is a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) with 11 academies across Nottingham, Derby and Derbyshire. It is Nottingham’s biggest MAT, educating one third of Nottingham’s children.