The award celebrates a 10-year partnership built on deep cultural exchange between us and schools across China to use the power of Shakespeare’s plays and the RSC’s award-winning rehearsal room approaches to improve learning outcomes and unlock potential.

The programme has been rolled out across 11 Dulwich Colleges, Dulwich International schools Programmes and Dehong schools in Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou, Xi’an, Hengqin, Singapore, and Seoul, engaging more than 2,000 young people, teachers and parents each year. 

At the centre of the partnership is a shared belief that the arts transcend cultures and should form an essential part of every young person’s educational journey. The partnership includes a combination of teacher professional development training, artist residencies, workshops, masterclasses and an annual Shakespeare performance festival.  

Not only has the partnership enhanced teaching practice at the schools, but it has improved pupil confidence, creativity, critical thinking and language skills. Fostering agency and autonomy, the work encourages students to ‘own’ Shakespeare’s universal stories, exploring them through their own identities, experiences and cultural heritage.

One EiM student summed up the experience simply: "This is the best session I’ve ever been in. I love Shakespeare and wish we could always do it like this." 

The award also recognises EiM’s commitment to pioneering education that develops globally minded learners and the RSC’s belief that the arts can be used to spark joy and create meaningful connections across borders. 

The win was announced at the UK-China Business Awards ceremony on 21 May, held as part of the inaugural Chinese Shakespeare Supper, celebrating cultural, academic and business ties between the UK and China.