Founded in 2000, Coram SSF works with hundreds of schools and thousands of young people across the country every year, giving them the opportunity to build their confidence and cultural capital through learning about and performing the works of William Shakespeare, and participating in the annual Shakespeare Schools Festival.
Coram SSF will move to the main Coram campus as soon as practicable, where it will work alongside other education charities committed to ensuring that children can develop the skills they need for life. Joining the Group will enable the pooling of resources, expertise and support services to make a positive difference for more children.
Alongside colleagues from across the Group, Coram SSF is proactively working to recalibrate its plans for the 2020 Festival working through the implications of the coronavirus pandemic. The Festival timeline is being adjusted so that none of the elements or quality of our work are lost and more immediately, we’re providing schools, parents and children with resources to continue their learning and engage with our work at home.
Dr Carol Homden CBE, Coram CEO, said: “I am delighted to welcome Shakespeare Schools Foundation to the Coram Group. This move will further improve the life chances of the children we support, by bringing together Coram’s strong heritage in the arts with the creative strength of SSF. As the largest programme of its kind, this will contribute to realising our vision as a national centre of excellence for children.”
Ruth Brock, Managing Director of Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation, said: “We know that children who have a strong creative and artistic education become happier, more successful, more fulfilled citizens in a better society, and both charities believe all children should have this opportunity. We’re ambitious to build the programmes and campaigns to accomplish this and are excited and energised for our joint future.”
About Coram SSF
Coram SSF is an award-winning cultural education charity that gives young people across the UK the confidence and skills they need to succeed in life.
Previously known as Shakespeare Schools Foundation, the charity was founded in 2000, working with around 300,000 young people from primary, secondary and special schools and Pupil Referral Units. The charity is committed to reaching young people living in disadvantaged areas. In 2019, over a third of schools the charity worked with were situated in the top 30% most deprived areas of the UK.
In 2019, over 20,000 young people from over 750 schools performed abridged Shakespeare plays in 118 professional arts venues around the UK as part of Shakespeare Schools Festival, the world’s largest youth drama festival.
