Visit to Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre for CPD: Developing Drama and Storytelling Practice

On Monday 20th April, the Year 2 teaching team and learning support assistants visited Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre for a day of professional development. This visit marks the beginning of our involvement in The Children as Storytellers project. The aim of the project is to develop teachers’ confidence and skills in teaching through drama, drawing on authentic Globe practice. In turn, this work will provide rich opportunities for pupils to strengthen their oracy, confidence, reading and writing.

Exploring the History of Shakespeare’s Globe

Our day began with a guided tour of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. During the tour, we explored the history of early playhouses and learnt how theatres were built outside the City of London walls to avoid strict regulations. We were particularly struck by how inclusive these spaces were for their time: audiences were not segregated by class, and anyone who could afford a ticket—whether seated or standing in the yard—was welcome.

Introducing Globe Practitioners and Process Drama

Following the tour, we met the Globe practitioners who will be working with us and with the Year 2 classes at Cragside Primary School. Together, we explored the principles of process drama - a powerful approach that allows children to explore stories, ideas and issues through drama without the pressure of performing for an audience.

This practical session introduced us to a range of drama-based activities that blend imagination, play and structured learning. A key message was the importance of the teacher’s role as a facilitator: creating a clear fictional world, inviting children into it and co‑constructing the experience rather than following a fixed, linear script.

Next Steps: Bringing Shakespeare’s Globe to Cragside

The next exciting stage of the project will take place here at Cragside Primary School. Shakespeare’s Globe practitioners will join the Year 2 team for a full week of in‑school workshops, using process drama and Globe techniques to bring Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale to life. Throughout the week, teachers will have the opportunity to see these techniques implemented in action, take part in the delivery of sessions and engage in reflection time with the practitioners to plan subsequent lessons. Through this immersive experience, children will deepen their understanding of the story, develop expressive language and build confidence as storytellers.

We look forward to sharing the children’s learning journey as the project unfolds.