Bringing Shakespeare to Life for SEND Students

The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) is making Shakespeare more accessible than ever for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) through its new Shakespeare Curriculum. Historically, Shakespeare has been seen as complex and inaccessible, but the RSC has spent over a decade demonstrating that its rehearsal-room techniques can transform learning for SEND pupils.

The online curriculum offers a structured framework for secondary students with Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD), along with guidance for those with Severe (SLD) or Profound Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD). Developed by RSC practitioners specialising in SEND education, the programme encourages students to engage with Shakespeare physically and creatively, rather than as a purely textual exercise.

Central to the approach are rehearsal-room techniques, which allow students to explore scenes through multisensory storytelling, props, music, and symbols. Pupils actively experience the stories, boosting engagement, comprehension, and confidence. Research, including the RSC’s 2024 Time to Act study, shows that these methods improve involvement, wellbeing, and understanding among SEND learners.

Previously delivered through in-person workshops, the curriculum now provides direct online access for teachers and pupils, including eight SEND-focused lessons with practical adaptations for communication devices, visual aids, and proprioceptive needs. The aim is to ensure that every student can experience the joy and transformative power of Shakespeare.

The RSC’s initiative demonstrates that Shakespeare need not be daunting; with the right approach, it can be accessible, inspiring, and inclusive for all learners.