CLUSTER MEETINGS
Cluster Meetings are core activity within the Associate Schools Programme, as a regular opportunity to connect with teachers within your cluster and share or reflect on RSC Rehearsal Room pedagogy within your classroom practice.
What are they?
Hosted by the Lead Associate School, these meetings are a chance for teachers to come together to develop a community of practice; plan upcoming activity, reflect on recent training and share the successes and challenges of embedding RSC Rehearsal Room approaches into classroom settings.
Cluster meetings are a networking opportunity for the cluster to build a Community of Practice, and should be focused on discussion, planning and sharing practice - not listening to updates which could be sent in an email.
Where and when?
Cluster meetings should take place once a term and are often held in-person, online or at the end of a CPD training day - whatever works best for your cluster.
Community of Practice Meetings
We want to encourage Lead Teachers to take a refreshed approach to cluster meetings, to focus on networking and evidence-gathering, and to best serve the needs of the teachers. We are therefore suggesting changing the name to Community of Practice Meetings.
Conversation Prompts
These prompts are drawn from an analysis report on the impact of the RSC’s Associate Schools Programme and previous national programmes. We encourage you to choose one conversation prompt for each meeting - you may choose to revisit a prompt or an area of focus at a later meeting to measure change and impact.
How have the rehearsal room approaches [...] of young people in your setting?
Developed confidence and agency
Developed enjoyment and engagement
Developed ensemble and collaborative learning
Developed emotional literacy and empathy
Developed peer support and belonging
Raised aspirations and challenged stereotypes
Expanded cultural and experiential horizons
Changed attitudes towards Shakespeare
Contributed to cognitive creative development
Contributed to language and literacy growth
Contributed to improved academic attainment
Contributed to inclusivity and accessibility
How have the rehearsal room approaches [...] in your setting?
Acted as a catalyst for whole-school community transformation
Broadened access and inclusion
Contributed to parental and community engagement
Contributed to teacher confidence and pedagogical practice
Contributed to strong professional networks and leadership
Contributed to potential for wider national reach
