This Is Guernsey

By Cheryl Latter

Herm schoolchildren visited the Tower of London during a visit of many firsts. (Picture by Cheryl Latter, 0548102)

WITH much in the national news lately about plans to teach Shakespeare at a much younger level, Herm school is leading the way in proving that it is perfectly possible.The eight children spent two days in London as part of this year’s school project and attended a workshop at the Globe Theatre on the South Bank.

In a 90-minute tour the children learnt about the building of the new theatre and why it is structured the way it is. They were fascinated to learn about the original one and 16th century London. In Shakespeare’s time, the city of London was roughly the same size as Herm.

Although it is the theatre’s off-season and no plays are on at the moment, the children were lucky enough to watch the set being built for a production of Much Ado About Nothing. They were able to ask questions and have the symbolism of the set explained to them.

Normally, visits are made by whole classes and much larger school groups, so teacher Mary Carey and I joined in to make up numbers. The workshop focused on key scenes from Romeo and Juliet, which were discussed and explored.

At the end of the session the challenge was to re-enact the whole play in about two minutes, which we actually managed to do.

The workshop was held by Keiron Kirkland, the Globe’s general education practitioner. He was very impressed with the Herm school.

‘They have been an absolute dream,’ said Kieron. ‘They all have so much confidence, which comes through in their acting. And their understanding of the work is amazing.’

He thoroughly agrees that there is no reason not to teach these plays in primary schools.

‘There is no age limit on Shakespeare. It is just about really good stories and about having fun with it.’

The busy schedule for the jam-packed trip also included dinner at Planet Hollywood and the Rainforest Cafe, a matinee performance of The Lion King at the Lyceum, a boat ride down the Thames and an open-top bus tour of the tourist sights.

For all the children it was a trip of many firsts: their first visit to London, first West End show and first Tube ride.

Undoubtedly, as they are all used to such a quiet life on Herm, it was an important social experience as well as an educational one.