A primary school in Middlesbrough has been working with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) to produce their own version of Macbeth.

Sunnyside Academy in Coulby Newham teamed up with six other Middlesbrough schools as part of the town’s Associate Schools Programme.

Archibald Primary School is the Lead Associate School for the RSC in Middlesbrough and every year since 2012; a group of dedicated schools have come together to produce a Shakespeare play.

In recent months, around 120 children have been attending workshops with RSC cast members and mentors prior to performing Macbeth to invited audience at Middlesbrough’s Acklam Green Centre.

The other schools participating in the RSC Associate Schools Programme are Priory Woods School and Art College, Berwick Hills Primary School, Sunnyside Academy, Newport Primary, Macmillan Academy and Kader Academy.

Kirsty Smith-Hodgson, English Lead at Sunnyside Academy, said: “The positive impact we have experienced implementing teaching methods through working with the Royal Shakespeare Company continues to astound me.

“As English lead, I have the pleasure of witnessing such a wide range of benefits for young learners from Nursery to Year 6 – all the while enriching their academic and personal development.

“The RSC methods of teaching have made complex language accessible, extended vocabulary and increased the confidence in performance and communication. The stories still resonate today, and children are able to identify with the characters, explore themes and make connections.”

Sunnyside Academy is home to just under 300 pupils between the age of three and 11. It is a mainstream school with provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), particularly those with visual and hearing impairments.

Julie Sutton, Headteacher of Sunnyside Academy, commented: “The RSC Associate Schools Programme was one of the first initiatives I signed up to when I became headteacher eight years ago.

“At my previous school I had worked with the Programme so was well aware of the huge benefits it brings in helping young children develop their education, particularly around English, drama and self-belief.

“Participating in the programme gives our young children a voice and enables them to learn new skills which they can apply right across the school curriculum.”

Sunnyside Academy is one of ten schools under the umbrella of Ad Astra Academy Trust across Teesside, County Durham and Hartlepool.

Andy Brown OBE, Chief Executive Officer of Ad Astra Academy Trust, said: “It is fantastic that Sunnyside pupils have the opportunity to work alongside a world-renowned theatre company.

“The benefits that the RSC and the Associate Schools Programme are bringing to the classroom are very visible, including developing oracy skills which is a national focus for all schools.”