About Us

The Shakespeare Schools Festival (SSF) charity is the largest youth drama festival in the UK. By the end of this year's Festival we will have enabled 100,000 young people to unlock their potential on the stage. We are partnered with the National Theatre.

SSF provides an active way of learning that is fun. Our aim however is to bridge "the attainment gap" by boosting articulacy and confidence as well as imparting key employability skills such as teamwork, peer leadership and self-discipline - all in addition to the benefits of Shakespeare's language, themes and characters.

All schools are welcome. It's the mix that's so important. However we actively target disadvantaged schools and teachers who feel that their young people cannot do Shakespeare.Our growing international programme now includes cultural exchange between 50 plus participating countries and the UK Festival schools.