FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS
‘I STRUGGLE TO SEE WHY I WOULD TAKE STUDENTS ANYWHERE OTHER THAN THE UNICORN AS THE PRODUCTIONS ARE ALWAYS SO INVENTIVE AND FIT SO WELL WITH EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS, WITHOUT BEING LIMITED BY THEM.’ Drama teacher, 2015
As the UK’s leading theatre for audiences, we specialise in making shows that inspire, challenge and invigorate. Whether you work with students in Key Stage 3, 4 or 5 we can support you to ensure that your experience with us has a long-lasting and meaningful impact.
2017-18 SECONDARY PRODUCTIONS:
- Beowulf (years 7 and above)
- Othello (years 7 - 8)
- Wild Life FM (years 9 and above)
- Beginners (for years 7 and above)
Most shows have an in-depth teacher resource pack with scheme of work, CPD training session and in-school workshops, all designed to deepen students understanding of and response to live theatre. You can also book backstage tours and post-show Q&As.
Scroll down for booking information or use our online booking form. Our wide range of discounts means a visit to the theatre can fit into any school’s budget.
For further information contact:
schools@unicorntheatre.com | 020 7645 0544
or sign up to the teacher mailing list. .
For further information contact:
schools@unicorntheatre.com | 020 7645 0544
or sign up to the teacher mailing list. .
Resource Packs
‘THESE RESOURCES HELP KEEP THE PRODUCTION LIVE IN MY MIND AND IN THE MINDS OF THE STUDENTS, BUT ALSO OFFER A FIRM PATHWAY FOR US TO EVALUATE AND UNDERSTAND THE SHOW.’ Drama teacher, 2015
Resources include interviews with the creative teams, a context for the play and flexible schemes of work that can be used in Drama lessons or adapted for other subjects.
- Beowulf (with Year 7 Scheme of Work)
View all our archived resource packs.
Teacher CPD
‘AN EXTREMELY USEFUL AND THOUGHT-PROVOKING SESSION. EVERYTHING WAS VERY ENGAGING, CLEAR AND EASY TO ADAPT FOR VARIOUS YEAR GROUPS AND ABILITIES.’ Drama teacher, 2015
CPD sessions are free provide ideas and inspiration for teachers from a range of subjects, as well as specialist Drama teachers taking students through GCSE and A-Level Drama/Theatre Studies, who are seeking practical as well as theoretical activities to stretch students.
2017-18 CPD DATES:
- Beowulf - Thu 28 Sep 4.30-7pm (part of The Year 7 Project)
- Othello - Wed 10 Jan 4.30-7pm
Workshops
‘INFORMAL, PERSONAL NATURE OF THE WORKSHOP WAS EXCELLENT.’ Drama teacher, 2015
‘THE WORKSHOP WAS BRILLIANT AND THE PRACTITIONER REALLY ENGAGED WITH OUR STUDENTS! THEY CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THE PLAY NEXT WEEK.’ Drama teacher, 2015
Led by our experienced practitioners, in-school drama workshops give students a practical and experiential introduction to the ideas, themes or characters in the show.
WORKSHOPS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE FOLLOWING SHOWS
- Beowulf
- Othello
£120 state schools | £220 independent schools
Max 30 students | hall space needed | 1.5 hours long
Max 30 students | hall space needed | 1.5 hours long
Projects
‘FEEDBACK FROM STUDENTS AND STAFF HAS BEEN OUTSTANDING. ONE PARTICULAR BOY, WHO RARELY LEAVES HIS LOCAL AREA, ASKED WHEN WE WOULD BE GOING TO THE THEATRE AGAIN.’ Collaborate teacher, 2014
'EXPLORE HAS CHALLENGED AND EXCITED OUR STUDENTS, IT HAS DEVELOPED THEIR ABILITIES TO TALK ABOUT, CELEBRATE AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, MAKE THEATRE. IT HAS BEEN A CAREER HIGHLIGHT FOR ME TO WATCH THIS PROJECT IN ACTION.' Explore teacher, 2016
COLLABORATE
A year-long partnership with one secondary school that gives teachers and students unparalleled access to theatre and opportunities to work with professional theatre makers.
Applications for 2017-18 now open:
find out more | application form.
Applications for 2017-18 now open:
find out more | application form.
EXPLORE
A three-year partnership for schools in the outer boroughs of London that works with the same students throughout school years 7, 8 & 9. EXPLORE unlocks the rich potential for learning that is offered through a trip to the theatre and aims to develop confident and interested theatre-goers.
Watch short film made by Barking Abbey School students (Explore 2013-15).
THE YEAR 7 PROJECT
The Year 7 Project uses a whole year-group visit to see Beowulf and an accompanying scheme of work to support students in their transition into the first year of secondary school. The project will use drama to:
• Develop students’ confidence, communication, self-esteem and emotional literacy.
• Build positive relationships between peers through group work and collaboration.
• Encourage imaginative engagement and students’ own creative responses.
SOW can be adapted for use in Drama, English or PSHE.
Teachers' Events
SEE IT FIRST! - FREE TEACHER EVENT: WED 11 OCT, 5PM
(includes tickets to Beowulf press performance at 7pm)
Join us for wine, cheese and a short talk about all our new productions and Schools’ Programme, before watching the show at 7pm. Free, booking required.
FREE PRESS NIGHT TICKETS FOR TEACHERS:
Come and watch one of our evening shows with colleagues or friends and stay for the press night party afterwards:
- Laika – Tue 3 Oct, 7pm
- The Velveteen Rabbit – Tue 21 Nov, 7pm
- Othello – Thu 8 Feb 2018, 7pm
- Beginners – Wed 28 Mar 2018, 7pm
Two free tickets per school, subject to availability. To book, email schools@unicorntheatre.com with the name and postcode of your school.
YOUR VISIT
Box Office: 020 7645 0560
To book tickets, call our Box Office team on the number above, or fill out an online booking form. Your school will then be sent an invoice. You can amend your booking up to 8 weeks before the performance.
BASIC TICKET PRICE £10, one teacher free per 10 children
EARLY BIRD TICKETS £8.50 when booking 2 or more shows before 31 Jul 2017
SCHOOLS CLUB TICKETS from £7 (find out more | booking form)
+ Teacher CPD session & resource pack FREE
+ In-school workshop £120 per class (£220 for independent schools)
+ Backstage tour from £2 per pupil
ABOUT YOUR VISIT
Our theatre was built with young people in mind, and it is important to us that we offer a space in which they feel welcome and important. We actively encourage our audiences to laugh, respond, clap and cheer during our shows – so please don’t feel that your students have to watch the show in silence.
There are only three things we ask in the auditorium (of adults and children):
Please, no photos, no phones and no food.
Visit our Access Page for specific performances for children with additional needs. If you have any questions or specific requirements we are always happy to discuss them with you.
USEFUL DOWNLOADS
To discuss any aspect of our schools’ programme please contact:
schools@unicorntheatre.com | 020 7645 0544
schools@unicorntheatre.com | 020 7645 0544
Testimonials
Watch the video below and read our schools' case studies to find out what teachers think.
'YOU SHOULD SEE HOW MUCH PROGRESS THEIR PRACTICAL WORK HAS MADE - I HAVE A STUDENT WHOSE WORK HAS GONE FROM GRADE E TO B BASED ON THE INSPIRATION OF THIS SHOW!'
‘THE CPD WAS INCREDIBLY USEFUL. JUST HAVING THE SPACE TO THINK ABOUT THE THEMES AND BEST WAYS OF PRESENTING THEM IS A LUXURY. ALL THE FANTASTIC ACTIVITIES PRESENTED MAKE IT SO EASY TO BUILD INTO THE TERM AND TO GET THE MOST OF THE EXPERIENCE.’
‘LOVE, LOVE, LOVE YOUR VENUE, YOUR CPD AND YOUR RESOURCES. I'LL BE FIGHTING TO PROTECT THESE TRIPS IN THE FACE OF BUDGET CUTS.’
‘ONE OF THE BEST QUALITY COURSES I HAVE EVER BEEN ON. I DO NOT COME FROM A THEATRICAL BACKGROUND BUT I FOUND THE ACTIVITIES AMAZING – ACCESSING PARTS OF MY BRAIN THAT AREN’T NORMALLY USED. IT HAS REALLY HELPED TO IMPROVE MY CONFIDENCE IN GENERAL.’
‘THE IMPACT OF THE CPD TRAINING HAS BEEN AMAZING. AS A TEACHER, IT HAS ENABLED ME TO DEVELOP MY SKILLS TEACHING DRAMA IN A WAY WHICH IS INCLUSIVE, ENJOYABLE AND ABOVE ALL, A WAY OF MAXIMISING LEARNING.’