RSC Associate Schools Programme
Become an Associate School
Join a ground-breaking programme and work with schools around the country to bring Shakespeare’s work to life.
The Associate Schools programme is the RSC’s national partnership project run by schools and regional theatres, in partnership with the RSC. The fundamental ambition of the Associate Schools programme is to transform experiences of Shakespeare and live theatre for young people.
Mayflower are delighted to become a regional theatre and working with Havant and South Downs College as the Lead Associate School in this exciting programme.
Alongside transformational continuing professional development for teachers, the programme includes unique opportunities for students in performance, leadership and career development.
Havant and South Downs College is a Lead Associate School in this exciting programme and leads a cluster of schools in our region which involves teachers, students and the wider community.
Get involved
We are recruiting Primary, Secondary and Special schools to join us as Associate Schools.
We are looking for schools with at least two teachers that will lead the programme in their school, have senior management and governor support and will be committed to engage fully for a minimum of two years.
We are recruiting Primary, Secondary and SEND schools to join us as Associate Schools. Schools must be based in Hampshire or East Dorset and be above the 24.6% national average of free school meals.
The programme is most suitable for Secondary English and Drama teachers and Primary teachers (who may be the Literacy Lead) from either Key Stage 1 or 2.
By joining the Associate Schools Programme you will be able to:
- Join a vibrant regional and national network;
- Develop the teaching practice of Shakespeare in your school;
- Access unique opportunities for staff development;
- Work with RSC practitioners and practitioners from Mayflower Southampton (where relevant);
- Take part in local and national performance festivals of work by young people;
- Access opportunities for students interested in a career in theatre;
- Take part in student leadership/youth voice programmes;
- Become part of a national research programme about the impact of Shakespeare’s work on young people;
- Receive support towards becoming an Artsmark school;
- Take advantage of priority booking to RSC First Encounters performance at Mayflower Studios
- Priority booking to additional opportunities with Mayflower Southampton
What schools say about the Associate Schools Programme:
The active, collaborative approaches to exploring the plays have not only impacted on the children’s writing but also on their behaviour, empathy, resilience and relationships…. It is no coincidence that this has occurred whilst we have been working with the RSC. These approaches have impacted on this.
Primary Headteacher, Stoke-on-Trent
When looking at the breakdown of results for the English literature GCSE we can see that our school outperformed other centres on the Shakespeare section – hugely! This is a real testament to our work with the RSC, especially as this particular cohort were the first to experience rehearsal room pedagogy and the various other RSC enrichment activities.
Head of English, Secondary School, Barking
Once the class start working in this way the class hierarchy disappears. Everyone becomes equal in the group because the behavioural roles children have eked out for themselves no longer exist once you start working with this kind of pedagogy. The class completely changes and you can see that happening.
Primary School Assistant Head, Blackpool
The active, collaborative approaches to exploring the plays have not only impacted on the children’s writing but also on their behaviour, empathy, resilience and relationships…. It is no coincidence that this has occurred whilst we have been working with the RSC. These approaches have impacted on this.
Primary Headteacher, Stoke-on-Trent
Financial commitment
In the first year of participation, there will be no financial commitment to take part in the programme. In the second year, there will be a £200 commitment fee, which is due in September 2026. Schools wishing to take up optional opportunities, such as seeing the First Encounters performance and further projects with Mayflower Southampton, these may incur costs. All fees associated with these optional opportunities will be communicated when they arise.
Application process
We are looking for up to 10 schools across Hampshire and East Dorset to take part for 2 years. Please complete this short application form before Friday 20 June to express your interest.
Click here to register your interest by Friday 20 June 2025
Please contact us if you have any questions.
The work of the RSC Learning and National Partnerships department is generously supported by Paul Hamlyn Foundation, The Clore Duffield Foundation, The 29th May 1961 Charitable Trust, GRoW @ Annenberg, The Polonsky Foundation, Stratford Town Trust, The Goldsmiths’ Company Charity, Teale Charitable Trust, The Grimmitt Trust and Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.