About Us

Why do SSF?

“Every child in every school ought to have the chance to experience this magical process”
- Philip Pullman

What do we do?
SSF is the UK’s largest youth drama festival.  Each Autumn, four schools a night perform four different half-hour Shakespeare plays in their local professional theatre.

How do we do it?
SSF trains teachers to direct and stage their own Shakespeare production. Our unique combination of scripts, resources and training offer teachers the tools to engage a whole class, of any age and ability.

Who do we work with?
SSF is for everybody. We work with secondary schools, primary schools and special schools all over the U.K. We specifically target disadvantaged schools, using Shakespeare’s language to impart articulacy, confidence and team-work. 

Where do we work?
SSF is everywhere. We work with over 100 theatres from Aberdeen to Jersey, Cardiff to Newcastle.