Cowes Enterprise College, part of Ormiston Academies Trust, is delighted to announce that it has been selected by the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) and the Mayflower Theatre to become an RSC Associate School for the next two years.
As the only school on the Isle of Wight to take part in this prestigious national programme, Cowes Enterprise College also hosted the RSC’s touring production of King Lear, which visited the academy earlier this month, offering students and the wider community an extraordinary opportunity to experience world-class theatre on their doorstep.
The initiative forms part of the RSC’s First Encounters programme, which brings abridged, accessible versions of Shakespeare’s plays to schools and local audiences across the UK. This specially adapted 90-minute production of King Lear captivates both younger audiences and seasoned theatre enthusiasts, offering a fresh and engaging introduction to one of Shakespeare’s most powerful tragedies.
This collaboration reflects the academy’s ongoing commitment to arts education, and its determination to make high-quality cultural experiences accessible to all.
Rachel Kitley, Principal of Cowes Enterprise College, said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Mayflower Theatre as an RSC Associate School.
“This is an incredible opportunity for our students to experience the magic of live theatre, develop their appreciation of Shakespeare, and be inspired by professional performers right here in their own school. It’s a privilege to host such an esteemed company and to represent the Isle of Wight in this exciting collaboration.”