“Anecdotal evidence suggests that ‘Our Theatre’ really affects confidence, eloquence and team-building skills. The proof of the pudding is that schools flock to become part of it and it’s always oversubscribed. Without PwC, it wouldn’t have happened.”
Patrick Spottiswoode, Director, Globe Education
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Our theatre
PwC UK is working with young people to improve their achievement at school through the theatre, a tool used to involve students who might not otherwise participate in formal education programmes.
The ‘Our Theatre’ partnership between Shakespeare’s Globe theatre, Southwark (south London) schools and PwC began over 10 years ago and has enabled around 4,500 children from some 50 schools along with their teachers and families to participate. Practical sessions in school and at the Globe use Shakespeare to develop key skills and inspire imagination, creativity and discovery. Through participation and performance students develop confidence and self-esteem as expressive speakers, enquiring listeners and generous team players.
Shakespeare might not be something the children would choose to study, but the fun classroom learning and play rehearsals with professional actors motivate them to rise to the challenge. Along the way they develop skills in language and an understanding of the underlying themes and cultural differences. This in turn improves their ability to concentrate, communicate and work in teams and develops their confidence and self-esteem which they carry across to other school subjects.
“Anecdotal evidence suggests that ‘Our Theatre’ really affects confidence, eloquence and team-building skills. The proof of the pudding is that schools flock to become part of it and it’s always oversubscribed. Without PwC, it wouldn’t have happened,” said Patrick Spottiswoode, Director of Globe Education.
“I think it’s astonishing to get to perform on the Globe stage – it’s much better than maths!” added a Primary school participant.
PwC UK also supports Southwark schools through related initiatives. Some students are mentored by PwC volunteers while others are assisted by literacy volunteers through PwC’s partnership with an organisation called Volunteer Reading Help. In addition, a mentoring programme has been introduced for Globe Education staff in which PwC volunteers participate in teacher training days. The Globe education staff initiative has been replicated in Manchester in partnership with the Royal Exchange Theatre. It has been highly successful there winning the regional BitC Awards for Excellence – Raising Achievement in Young People Award as well as the North West Arts and Business Young People Award.
