On 5th october the year 11s of Alton Convent School went on a residential trip to Stratford-Upon-Avon in order to learn more about William Shakespeare. We were all expecting four days of long, tedious lectures but we couldn't have been more wrong. We soon discovered that the various enthusiastic and often eccentric workshop leaders were great fun and we all seized the opportunity to do some improvisational acting, sing our hearts out and laugh at the teachers' best attempts to dance. The highlight of the residential for most was the circus skills workshop, where we were taught everything from juggling to tightrope walking, reminding us of how much importance Alton Convent places on the learning of critical life skills.

An incredible production of Romeo and Juliet and a backstage tour of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre provided the educational value in our trip to Stratford. Overall the residential gave us an insight into Shakespeare's life and work, gave us the chance to bond as a year group and even inspired some of us to consider a further career in the circus!

Amelia, VB