Creative paths to Shakespeare: Ideas for Round One

Round one is an internal round, allowing students to shine within a familiar environment before advancing to more public stages. This step is crucial for building their confidence and love for Shakespeare, preparing them for face-to-face heats starting in March. Let’s make this experience exciting and inspiring!

We have put together a series of options for schools to use as a guide to make round one a thrilling experience.

Option One

Drama in the classroom: Infuse Shakespeare into daily lessons

Shakespeare is a staple in the curriculum, so why not integrate the competition into your daily lessons? By weaving performance into your teaching, students can perform scenes they’ve been studying in class, providing a seamless transition from coursework to competition. This approach enriches students’ understanding of Shakespeare, turning classroom learning into a dynamic performance experience. 

How it works 

• Select a scene relevant to the curriculum 

• Conduct performances during regular lesson 

• Identify the most promising entries for round two 

Key points 

• Blend with lessons: Seamlessly weave the competition into your curriculum. Perform scenes from the plays you’re studying with your students and choose the standout performances for the next round 

• Encourage peer reviews: Foster a classroom environment where students can critique and support each other. This builds a collaborative spirit and sharpens their skills 

• Celebrate achievements: Recognise every student’s effort with enthusiasm. Even those not moving forward deserve applause for their hard work and dedication 

This strategy transforms classroom studies into interactive Shakespearean showcases, fostering a love for literature and performance. 

Option Two

Shakespeare on film: Create a cinematic masterpiece

Caterham School pioneered a fantastic approach: students in Years 7–9 filmed their entries as a homework assignment and submitted them via email. This method empowers students to explore Shakespeare at their own pace, removing the pressure of an immediate live audience. It allows for creativity in filming and offers the perfect opportunity for those who are a bit stage-shy to get involved. Why not make this the year your students create captivating performances on film? 

How it works

• Assign students to select a monologue or scene from a Shakespearean play 

• Students record their performances at home 

• Submissions are reviewed using the ESU judging criteria, and standout performances progress to round two 

Key points

• Set clear guidelines: Provide easy-to-follow instructions for video submissions to keep things smooth and professional 

• Offer inspiring feedback: Give constructive and enthusiastic feedback to help students elevate their performances and boost their confidence – use the ESU judging criteria to judge the performance and base your feedback on this to get students familiar with what the judges’ expectations are 

This option nurtures budding performers who can comfortably refine their skills before facing an audience. 

OPTION THREE

Join the club: start small and dream big

If a whole-school round seems daunting, focus on a dedicated group of passionate students. Drama clubs offer a supportive environment where students can explore Shakespeare’s works in depth, receiving personalised feedback and coaching. This method is perfect for developing skills at a sustainable pace, leading to refined and polished performances. 

How it works 

• Run lunchtime or after-school drama club sessions 

• Encourage members to explore various Shakespearean scenes 

• Choose the best performances for round two 

Key points 

• Cultivate passion: Set up a drama club or select a group where students can immerse themselves in rehearsals and performance preparations 

• Offer flexibility: Allow students to participate based on their availability to keep their excitement high and engagement strong 

• Showcase talent: Host smaller performances or showcases to help students build confidence and experience before the big stage

This tailored approach allows you to foster talent within a close-knit group, nurturing a genuine enthusiasm for Shakespeare

Everything you need to prepare for and take part in your competition, from handbooks and guidance to practical resources for students and schools.

VIDEO RESOURCES

Explore videos designed to support students and teachers with competition preparation, skill development, and practical guidance.

Practical activities and resources to help students develop their communication skills and prepare for competition through lessons, clubs and enrichment.

Key Skills

Tips and Tricks to help your students develop the 4 key skills ESU judges look for throughout the competitions.

Guidance and resources to help you understand the marking criteria and how judges assess the team.

These guidelines are designed to help online and hybrid heats run smoothly and ensure that every participant has an equal opportunity to perform at their best.

Before the Competition

Please add the date and time of the competition to your school calendar and ensure relevant colleagues and site staff are aware of where the event is taking place and when it will finish.

Consider working with another member of staff to support your students during the heat.

Create a positive team environment by ensuring participants are comfortable with the technology and can hear one another clearly.

Lead teachers will receive the Zoom meeting link, passcode and draw information via email at least two weeks before the competition. The Zoom heat will be hosted by an ESU Competition Lead, who will be available to provide technical support and guidance on the day.

Technology Requirements

Each participant's device must have:

• Access to the internet.

• A working camera.

• A working microphone.

• Working speakers or headphones.

We strongly encourage all competitors to use a laptop and avoid using a mobile phone wherever possible.

Laptops provide a more reliable internet connection, better audio and video quality, and a larger screen, helping competitors to fully engage with the competition and other participants.

As this is a speaking competition, it is imperative that competitors can be clearly seen and heard at all times. Using a laptop helps ensure the best possible Zoom experience for both competitors and judges. While tablets may be suitable in some circumstances, mobile phones should only be used as a last resort.

Zoom requires a strong and stable internet connection to work effectively. Please ensure that you join the meeting from a location with reliable Wi-Fi or, ideally, a direct ethernet connection.

We also recommend:

• Plugging devices into a power source for the duration of the competition.

• Checking camera positioning, lighting and audio settings before joining the meeting.

• Connecting in an area without Zoom restrictions.

On the Day

Joining the Zoom Meeting

To join the call:

1. Click on the Zoom meeting link provided by the ESU.

   1. If you are unable to download the Zoom client, simply select “Join from your browser” when prompted.

2.  Enter in the provided numerical passcode.

3. You will automatically join the waiting room and be admitted into the meeting at 4:10pm by the ESU Competition Lead acting as Zoom Host.

Unless otherwise stated, all online participants are expected to join the Zoom meeting at 4:10pm to ensure a prompt start at 4:30pm. If you are not admitted to the meeting at 4:10pm, don’t panic! The Competition Lead may be assisting another school and will admit you by 4:25pm. If you are not admitted by 4:25pm, contact the ESU Competitions Team at 020 7529 1565.

Once admitted to the meeting, the Competition Lead will ask you to set your Zoom name (more information on this below) and check your device is working correctly.

Joining early is imperative as it allows the Competition Lead to set up each team and troubleshoot any technical issues.

During the Competition

All students must be accompanied by an adult throughout the Zoom heat in accordance with our safeguarding policy.

Cameras

• Cameras should always remain on for all participants during the call unless otherwise instructed by the ESU Competition Lead.

• Keeping cameras on allows the Competition Lead to confirm attendance and provides presenters with an audience, helping to recreate the experience of speaking in person.

• Effective public speaking includes body language and gesture, which remain important in an online environment and will be considered by the judges.

Microphones

• Unless speaking, all participants should have their microphones muted for the duration of the call. This includes audience members and judges.

• This helps minimise background noise and ensures speakers can be heard clearly.

Zoom Etiquette

• For safeguarding purposes, recording is disabled and prohibited. No participant should attempt to record, photograph or film the meeting using any device. Any safeguarding concerns may result in removal from the meeting.

• Private Zoom chat is disabled. All messages sent via chat will be visible to all participants. The chat function should only be used if requested by the ESU Competition Lead or to raise technical issues.

• Time signals will be provided in accordance with the competition rules.

• Students are encouraged to present standing up where space and equipment allow.

• Please ensure that anything visible on camera is appropriate for a competition setting.

Connectivity Issues

If connectivity is lost during the competition, try rejoining the meeting by:

• Moving to a location with a stronger internet connection. Use a direct ethernet connection where available and make sure you are not in a space where Zoom is disabled.

• Exiting out of the meeting, closing Zoom and reconnecting via the meeting link.

• Ensuring your device is fully charged and connected to a power source.

The ESU Competition Lead will contact you directly to troubleshoot should you lose connection. They will use the email and mobile phone number you provided at registration.

Joining the meeting early and using a strong internet connection will help minimise disruption and give your students a smooth experience!

How to Change Your Zoom Name

Once you’ve been admitted into the meeting:

1.  Hover your cursor over the right-hand corner of your video tile and select the three dots.

2.  Select Rename.

3.  Enter your school name, role and first name. Click Change.

Need Support?

If you have any technical questions or experience issues on the day of the competition, please email competition@esu.org or give us a call at 020 7529 1565. 

We look forward to welcoming you online and wish all competitors the very best of luck!