New Partnership to Champion Arts and Education

Thu 20 Feb, 2025

A brand-new collaboration between Southport Learning Trust and Shakespeare North Playhouse (SN) highlights the transformative power of arts and education partnerships. 

For Shakespeare North Playhouse (SN) this marks the first partnership with an entire Multi-Academy Trust, building on previously established partnerships with individual schools. 

Partnering with SN as an entire Trust will enhance internal connections and showcase their unified priorities through a powerful celebration of language and oracy. 

The initiative focuses on empowering communities, fostering inclusion, and cultivating future innovators and leaders. By aligning their core values and social aims, the two organisations are ready to create meaningful change for students, teachers, and the wider community. 

Working with a whole Multi-Academy Trust is a wonderful opportunity for us to connect schools through creativity and allows teachers to collaborate and share best practice through joint projects. We’re delighted that Southport Learning Trust is our first MAT partner and can’t wait to see the exciting projects we create together.

(Evonne Bixter, Head of Engagement)

Building on Shared Values 

At the heart of this partnership is a shared vision that emphasises collaboration, equity, innovation, and sustainability. Southport Learning Trust, comprising eight schools, is dedicated to academic excellence, inclusive education, professional development, and the realisation of aspirations. Similarly, Shakespeare North Playhouse’s mission to deliver inspirational cultural experiences, support education, and enhance community wellbeing aligns seamlessly with these goals. 

Our partnership with Shakespeare North will provide unparalleled opportunities for our school communities across Southport Learning Trust. Our vision is to Empower our communities to positively impact the world. Working in partnership with world-class organisations such as Shakespeare North we can truly inspire the confidence, compassion and critical thinking needed to do that

Ian Parry, Director of Education)

The first project within the partnership will be “Sonnets Aloud”, focussing on writing and oracy skills among students while equipping teachers with strategies for long-term impact.  

Oracy, the ability to express oneself clearly and confidently through spoken language, is vital for academic success, future employability, and mental health. Research shows that strong oracy skills are a key predictor of academic achievement, with disparities in language development often widening as children progress through school.  

Teaching Shakespeare in schools plays a powerful role in developing oracy skills among students. Shakespeare’s rich language offers a unique opportunity for children to expand their vocabulary and understand complex sentence structures, which directly enhances their spoken language skills. By exploring the intricate use of language in his works, students engage with language that challenges them to think critically and express themselves more clearly. 

Why Arts and Education Partnerships Matter 

The integration of arts and education unlocks numerous benefits for students, educators, and communities: 

• Enriched Learning: Programs like Sonnets Aloud foster creativity, resilience, and oracy skills, shaping future innovators. 

• Professional Growth: Educators gain arts-based teaching strategies that enhance their practice and deepen student engagement. 

• Community Connection: Public performances, such as those at the iconic Cockpit stage, bring families and educators together to celebrate achievement. 

• Equity & Accessibility: By removing barriers to cultural experiences, these initiatives ensure all students can thrive. 

Impact Beyond the Classroom 

This collaboration extends beyond individual workshops, offering ongoing engagement projects that invite the wider community to participate. nurturing the aspirations and potential of the next generation.