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Children’s folio offers access to 36 abridged Shakespeare plays

The arts Key stage 2 Resources and projects Literacy and numeracy
Primary schools can request a copy of a new children’s folio containing abridged forms of 36 Shakespeare plays and aimed at making them much easier for pupils to to access and perform.
In character: Workshops at Mary Arden’s Farm, the childhood home of Shakespeare’s mother immerse primary pupils into the world of Shakespeare, his childhood and his plays (image: Shakespeare Birthplace Trust) -

The folio has been produced by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust (SBT), which is planning to distribute 10,000 copies to schools and libraries in early 2024.

In the meantime, the charity will once again be hosting a range of experiences and workshops for primary schools at its site in Stratford-upon-Avon. The SBT also runs outreach sessions for primary schools located within a 60-mile radius.

The SBT learning programme covers the early years through to key stage 2 and includes workshops at Mary Arden’s Farm, the childhood home of Shakespeare’s mother.

Workshops include Planting the Seeds for Shakespeare (early years), Sharing Shakespeare’s Story (key stage 1), and Tudors Alive! (key stage 2). The latter involves pupils spending the day as a Tudor child helping on the farm as well as drama sessions exploring Shakespeare’s plays. Fees range from around £10 to £16 per pupils depending on the workshop. Visiting pupils can also explore the heritage farm of rare-breed animals.

Meanwhile, Shakespeare's Plays: A first folio for children has been published by Walker Books. The project marks the 400th anniversary of the First Folio, a book that brought together a majority of the Bard’s plays for the first time.

The publication is aimed at making it easier for children aged 7 to 14 to perform his works in small groups of up to 12 at a time and it is to be distributed with a series of hands-on teaching resources.

The children’s folio uses only Shakespeare’s original language, so pupils can “experience the evocative and powerful language and phrases in an accessible way”.

Accessible: Schools can now request their copy of the new publication Shakespeare's Plays: A first folio for children containing illustrations by Emily Sutton (images reproduced with kind permission of Walker Books Ltd)

Andy Reeves, head of learning development at the SBT, explained: ‘‘We want to ensure that every child has a positive first experience with Shakespeare. The children’s folio … makes it easier for young learners to explore and perform Shakespeare’s most iconic and often unheard-of plays in under 20 minutes. This is a great resource for teachers who want to engage their pupils with the life, work, and times of Shakespeare.”

Schools are encouraged to request their free copy of the Children’s Folio through the SBT website, with distribution starting in early 2024.

Elsewhere, March 18 to 24 next year will see the 10th anniversary of the SBT’s annual Shakespeare Week when celebrations will include a series of free online and in-person events and activities open to all schools.


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