On the blog this week, we hear from Wendy Smith, Education Officer at SS Great Britain in Bristol who tells us about their collaborative Arts Award Discover project which unlocked meaningful learning experiences and lifelong memories for a group of school pupils.
Brunel’s SS Great Britain tells the incredible story of one of Britain’s greatest engineers and one of the most important ships in maritime history.
‘And promise you calm seas, auspicious gales’ Prospero, The Tempest
Auspicious circumstances enabled lasting memories for Year 3 and 5 pupils last year when Shakespeare, circus art and the legacy of Isambard Kingdom Brunel were fused together for a unique performance of The Tempest in the Dry Dock of Brunel’s SS Great Britain. The project, a collaboration between the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, as part of its Shakespeare Week celebrations, Circomedia, and the SS Great Britain Trust, enabled pupils from Hotwells Primary School to have an unforgettable experience and to achieve their Arts Award Discover.
Bringing The Tempest to life
The relationship between the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust and SS Great Britain Trust developed via the Arts Council England (ACE) funded Museums and Schools Programme, which includes an Arts Award strand. Additional funding for this project came from ACE via the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust hubs programme for primary schools.
The children’s journey, Part B of Discover, began in the classroom, where Year 3 and Year 5 pupils from Hotwells Primary School delved into the world of Shakespeare, via The Tempest. The children learnt about Shakespeare and explored the play’s themes, characters, and language, laying the groundwork for the next stage of the project which was led by Circomedia - a Bristol based contemporary circus and physical theatre school. The Circomedia team led a series of dynamic workshops, helping the children interpret The Tempest through movement, acrobatics and storytelling - Part A of Discover. These sessions were designed not only to enhance the pupils’ understanding of the play and physical theatre, but also to build their confidence, teamwork skills, coordination and communication. The result of the children’s hard work was a truly unique interpretation of The Tempest that blended Shakespearean drama with the magic of circus performance.
A grand finale to remember
Running with the nautical theme of the play, a few weeks later, the children performed their special interpretation of The Tempest in the Dry Dock next to Brunel’s SS Great Britain, in front of an audience of parents, staff and pupils. Performing in such an iconic location added a layer of meaning and excitement for the pupils. The performance enabled the children to share their experiences with the audience, and at school and home, reflect on their involvement in the project - Part C of Discover. The performance was part of the national celebration of Shakespeare Week’s 10th anniversary, one of 12 Shakespeare inspired events around the UK, which added further significance to the experience.
A day of discovery
The day wasn’t just about the performance. After their moment in the spotlight, the children explored the SS Great Britain and the surrounding site. Highlights included a visit to the Being Brunel Museum, where the pupils were reminded of Brunel’s love of Shakespeare in a bespoke tour of the museum’s Shakespeare Room. The activities added depth to the day, connecting the children’s creative efforts with history and heritage in an engaging way. There was lots to share with the other year groups and teachers once back at school!
Lasting impact
The success of the project was clear from the enthusiastic response of the children, their teachers and the audience. After the performance, one of the parents commented how special the project had been, what a lasting impact it would have and how their child’s eyes had been opened to the possibilities of work in the creative industries. This feedback highlights the transformative power of projects like this. For the teachers and staff from the collaborating organisations, it was a reminder of the immense value of arts education and the potential of partnerships to unlock meaningful learning experiences. And for the children, it was an opportunity to engage with Shakespeare in a hands-on, imaginative way while discovering new skills, building lifelong memories and receiving recognition for all their hard work by achieving Arts Award Discover.