The Signing Shakespeare Programme

In a groundbreaking move towards inclusive education, the University of Birmingham, in partnership with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), launched the Signing Shakespeare Programme back in 2016.

This initiative aims to make Shakespeare’s works more accessible to deaf and hard-of-hearing students across the UK. Now, thanks to a generous donation from The Arden Shakespeare, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing PLC, teaching packs are now being sent to every deaf school and major deaf unit in the country.

Bridging the gap in Shakespeare education

Dr Abigail Rokison-Woodall, Deputy Director (Education) and Associate Professor in Shakespeare and Theatre at the University of Birmingham’s Shakespeare Institute, co-leads this innovative project. Dr Rokison-Woodall highlights a significant challenge: there are over 50,000 deaf children in the UK, yet Shakespeare, the only author mandated by the national curriculum, lacks sufficient resources for deaf students.

To address this gap, the Signing Shakespeare Programme offers an educational resource that combines visual and active learning methods specifically designed for the study of Macbeth. These resources include a comprehensive Scheme of Work, handouts, and films of key scenes performed in British Sign Language (BSL) by deaf actors, enabling deaf students to fully engage with the material.

Comprehensive learning experience

The packs sent to the schools contain a complete Scheme of Work for teaching Macbeth, as well as handouts and other resources, which accompany films of scenes from the play performed by deaf actors using British Sign Language.

These resources enable deaf students to explore the story, characters, relationships, themes, imagery, rhythms and literary devices in the play. The programme features collaborative activities and writing tasks that support students in developing an understanding of the different perspectives and layers within the text.

Making an impact

Dr Rokison-Woodall expressed her enthusiasm for the programme, stating, “I am thrilled that thanks to The Arden Shakespeare we can send these resources directly to all 22 deaf schools and every major deaf unit in the UK. Such an integral part of the curriculum and our national cultural identity should be readily available for all students to study and enjoy. Signing Shakespeare is one step in the right direction.”

Celebrating Deaf performers

The initiative also celebrates the talents of deaf actors, including well-known performers such as Caroline Parker and Mia Ward, who bring Shakespeare’s works to life through BSL. Their performances not only enhance the learning experience for deaf students but also highlight the richness and diversity of Shakespearean theatre.

Looking ahead

The Signing Shakespeare Programme is a significant step toward making education more inclusive and ensuring that all students, regardless of their hearing abilities, can access and appreciate the works of Shakespeare.

By providing these tailored resources, the University of Birmingham and the RSC are paving the way for a more equitable and engaging educational experience for deaf students across the UK.

For more information on the Signing Shakespeare Programme and to access these resources, please visit the University of Birmingham’s website or contact their education department