The Octagon Theatre

The Octagon Theatre’s Creative Learning & Education Schools Programme offers Somerset schools the opportunity to learn from, and collaborate with, world-class performance companies from across the UK. As we seek to inspire students, raise aspirations, and build creative confidence in teachers.

This year we are bringing the following companies to schools across Somerset, delivering workshops in partnership with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO), Motionhouse Dance, Frantic Assembly, Stuff & Nonsense Theatre Company and Emma Rice Company.

Our schools programme includes:

• CPD for teachers, with training and resources to support lesson plans, knowledge and understanding of practices and processes of our leading partner performance companies.
• Workshops in-school for students, led by partner performance companies, with schemes of work which build towards performance opportunities.
• Priority tickets to live performances, with the opportunity for students to watch a live performance by the partner performance company.
• Performance opportunities, with students invited to perform at our venues as part of large-scale community production.
• Backstage Tours of our venues, with opportunities to see behind the scenes, gain insight into venue operations and stage tech, and learn about careers in the industry.
• School Cultural Network, a support network for teachers enabling opportunities for networking and collaboration with other creative art teachers in the area.
• Access and signposting to additional workshops, learning packs and discounted tickets by world-class companies as opportunities present.

Our programme seeks to broaden familiarity with the arts from a young age, convey the message ‘this is for you’, whilst offering all students a platform to perform and increase appetite for engagement and creativity.

The programme is designed to enrich classroom teaching and ensure all young people have the opportunity to be inspired by the arts.

Teacher Network Meetings 2026-2027

(All at Westlands Entertainment Venue 4.30pm - 6pm)

• Monday 19^th October: Raising the profile of Performing Arts in your school
• Monday 1^st March: What does quality assessment in the Performing Arts look like?
• Monday 14^th June: Developing cross-curricula work within Performing Arts

For any questions or queries regarding our Teacher Network Meetings please contact jenny.lowe@somerset.gov.uk 

Education Opportunities 2026-2027

• Wednesday14^th October: BSO KS4 Concert: BSO KS4 Somerset & Dorset Schools Concert 2026 - Booking Form – Fill in form
• Thursday 15^th October: Teacher Performing Arts CPD Day: Performing Arts CPD Day
• Monday 9^th October: Screening of Frantic Assembly's Othello and live Q&A with the company: Frantic Assembly Presents Othello
• Wednesday 5^th May: BSO KS1 Concert: booking coming soon
• Wednesday 30^th June: Centre Stage 2027: Centre Stage 2027

If you are a school looking for more information and to get involved, please contact our Arts Engagement & Outreach Team at OctagonOutreach@somerset.gov.uk