Overview

Step into the world of drama and storytelling with an unforgettable school trip to Coventry and Shakespeare’s Warwickshire. From exploring the evolution of transportation to attending live theatre performances, this 3-day itinerary immerses students in the rich legacy of storytelling, innovation, and performance. Tailored activities for Key Stages 1 to 4 ensure that every student gains hands-on learning experiences, whether creating props inspired by Shakespeare’s magical plays or analyzing dramatic techniques in live productions. Discover how Coventry’s historical landmarks and Shakespeare’s world come together to inspire young minds in a way that’s both educational and engaging.

Day 1: Immersing in Theatre and Performance

Morning: Travel to Coventry
Students will board the coach, ready to embark on an exciting journey to Coventry, where they’ll explore the world of storytelling, history, and performance. To set the stage for the trip, students can enjoy interactive activities during the journey, such as quizzes or discussions about Shakespeare’s most famous works.

Lunch: Upon arrival at the Coventry Transport Museum, students will enjoy packed lunches lovingly prepared by parents. They’ll relax and refuel in the museum’s outdoor picnic area, ready to dive into their first activity.

Afternoon Activity: Coventry Transport Museum

Delve into the rich history of transportation at the Coventry Transport Museum, where students can connect themes of transformation and progress to dramatic storytelling. Through interactive exhibits and activities, this museum offers a unique way to explore how innovations in transport reflect broader societal changes – paralleling Shakespeare’s own themes of conflict, speed, and transformation in his works. From hands-on storytelling sessions to creative design projects, the museum provides a dynamic and engaging learning experience for all ages.

• Key Stage 1 (Early Years):
  Students will participate in interactive exhibits and storytelling sessions inspired by the history of vehicles. They’ll engage in imaginative play, drawing parallels with Shakespeare’s use of storytelling to breathe life into his works.
  Key Learning: Creativity and communication through storytelling and roleplay.

• Key Stage 2 (Primary Schools):
  Students will explore how Coventry’s transport history relates to storytelling, designing simple vehicle models and creating narratives around them.
  Key Learning: Connecting real-world innovations with storytelling and narrative skills.

• Key Stage 3 & 4 (Secondary Schools):
  Students will analyse how themes such as speed, progress, and conflict are represented in the museum’s exhibits, linking these to Shakespeare’s portrayal of transformation in his works.
  Key Learning: Understanding the relationship between historical innovations and dramatic storytelling.

Key Learning: Understand the relationship between historical innovations and storytelling and how dramatic works (like Shakespeare’s) portray societal progress and transformation.

Evening: After checking in to their accommodation and enjoying dinner, students will attend a live performance at The Belgrade Theatre. This immersive experience will show how modern theatre draws on classical storytelling, connecting Shakespeare’s legacy to contemporary performance.

Evening Activity: The Belgrade Theatre

Experience the magic of live performance at The Belgrade Theatre, a hub for creativity and storytelling in the heart of Coventry. Students will witness how Shakespeare’s timeless themes are brought to life on stage, bridging the gap between classical and modern theatre. With expertly crafted productions and immersive performances, this evening activity highlights the enduring power of storytelling and the skill of acting to convey emotion, conflict, and transformation.

Day 2: Shakespeare and Historic Drama

Morning Activity: Shakespeare’s Birthplace and Mary Arden’s Farm

Step into the world of William Shakespeare by visiting his birthplace and Mary Arden’s Farm, where Tudor life and the roots of Shakespeare’s storytelling come alive. These historic sites provide a hands-on exploration of how the playwright’s early life and surroundings influenced his iconic works. From storytelling workshops to interactive farm activities, students will immerse themselves in the sights, sounds, and stories of Tudor England, to give them a deeper understanding of Shakespeare’s creative genius.

• Key Stage 1 (Early Years):
  Students will enjoy a storytelling session inspired by Shakespeare’s magical plays, such as A Midsummer Night’s Dream. They’ll create simple props like fairy wings or wands and use them to act out scenes.
  Key Learning: Developing creativity and storytelling skills.

• Key Stage 2 (Primary Schools):
  Students will engage in hands-on activities at the farm, learning how Tudor life influenced Shakespeare’s work. They’ll also interact with animals and create their own props.
  Key Learning: Connecting Tudor history with Shakespeare’s storytelling.

• Key Stage 3 & 4 (Secondary Schools):
  Students will examine Shakespeare’s early influences and how they shaped his writing. Drama workshops will focus on the historical context of plays like The Tempest and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
  Key Learning: Understanding the historical and personal context of Shakespeare’s works.

Lunch: A packed lunch provided by the accommodation will be enjoyed in Mary Arden’s Farm’s tranquil picnic area. Students can relax and soak in the Tudor atmosphere before continuing their activities.

Afternoon Activity: Royal Shakespeare Theatre

The Royal Shakespeare Theatre offers students the chance to experience the Bard’s works in their most authentic form – on stage. With drama workshops tailored to different age groups and live performances showcasing Shakespeare’s language and themes, this iconic venue deepens students’ appreciation of classical theatre. They’ll explore how staging, direction, and acting techniques breathe life into Shakespeare’s characters, leaving them inspired to connect with dramatic storytelling in new and creative ways.

Key Stage 1: Students learn about the staging of Shakespeare’s works through simple acting exercises and group performances, focusing on characters from A Midsummer Night’s Dream or The Tempest. Developing performance skills and understanding how Shakespeare’s characters come to life on stage.

Key Stage 2: Students participate in drama workshops where they explore Shakespeare’s stories through interactive drama exercises, such as improvisation and character work. Understanding character development and how Shakespeare uses language to create meaning and emotion.

Key Stage 3 & 4: Students analyse live performances, discussing acting techniques and how directors interpret Shakespeare’s work. Deepening understanding of Shakespeare’s dramatic techniques and their application in modern performances.

Evening:
Dinner and Reflection
A group reflection on the day’s activities, encouraging students to discuss what they have learned about Shakespeare’s world and their experiences with live theatre.

Day 3: Tudor Drama and Performance Skills

Morning Activity: Tudor World

Travel back in time to Tudor England at Tudor World, a hands-on attraction where students can explore the social and historical context that shaped Shakespeare’s works. Engaging exhibits, roleplay activities, and drama workshops illuminate the world of early English theatre and its influence on the Bard’s storytelling. Whether acting out scenes from his plays or discovering how Tudor life is reflected in his themes, this visit enriches students’ understanding of history and drama in a truly memorable way.

Key Stage 1: Students explore the Tudor period through hands-on exhibits, engaging in simple role-play activities that bring the history of Shakespeare’s time to life. Understanding the social and historical context of Shakespeare’s life.

Key Stage 2: Students participate in a drama workshop based on the Tudor era, focusing on storytelling and performance. Students learn how the Tudors influenced early English theatre, exploring early forms of drama and performance.

Key Stage 3 & 4: Students dive into the world of the Tudors and discover how it shaped Shakespeare’s writing. They’ll explore the themes of power, betrayal, and love that appear throughout his plays, with a focus on how events and figures from Tudor history, like those in Macbeth and Henry VIII, influenced his storytelling.

Lunch: Another packed lunch provided by the accommodation will be enjoyed at Tudor World. Students will eat in the museum’s designated picnic area.

Afternoon:
After a day filled with fun and learning, gather your students and prepare for a comfortable coach journey back to school, reflecting on the unforgettable experiences and newfound knowledge gained throughout the day. Safe travels, and we look forward to helping you plan your next adventure!

This itinerary offers just one of many exciting possibilities for school trips to Coventry and the surrounding areas. From exploring lush natural landscapes and learning about biodiversity to engaging with local history and discovering sustainable practices, the opportunities for enriching educational experiences are endless. The information provided in this itinerary was accurate at the time of writing, but we’re here to help you make your trip as seamless and memorable as possible. If you’d like assistance with planning your school trip or need further inspiration, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team today. We’re excited to help bring your educational adventure to life!

This enriching 3-day itinerary in Coventry and Warwickshire offers a perfect blend of history, drama, and hands-on learning. From interactive workshops and live performances to exploring Tudor England’s influence on Shakespeare, students gain invaluable insights into storytelling, performance, and history. Whether reflecting on the connections between transport and innovation or stepping into the shoes of Shakespeare’s characters, this trip provides a unique and immersive experience that will stay with them long after they return to school. Let us help you plan your next school trip and create memories that inspire and educate for years to come.