2023 Free

Annual Report 2023

The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust cares for five historic Shakespeare family homes in Stratford-upon-Avon, preserving and sharing his legacy with visitors and learners worldwide. In 2023, the Trust centred its programming on the 400th anniversary of the First Folio, delivering exhibitions, conservation work, and educational events. An estimated 2 million primary-age children participated in Shakespeare Week, supported by over 22,000 registered teachers across 11,000 UK schools.

Report snapshot
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About

6,000 schools received free Children's First Folio on publication

Key Metrics

Key Metric 1 2 million children participated in Shakespeare Week 2023
Key Metric 2 22,000 teachers registered for Shakespeare Week
Key Metric 3 8 million page views on main website in 2023

Key Outcomes

  • 72 Shakespeare Hub schools, including 12 in Levelling Up areas
  • 8730000
  • 9070000

Geography

West Midlands

Impact Snapshot
Key Metric 1
Total income £138,600,000 and total expenditure £108,350,000 (year ended 31 March 2025, charity no. 1068852); 5 million people welcomed through palace gates; £138.6m income...
Key Metric 2
Over 160,000 members making 300,000+ visits generating £5.8m membership income plus £814k Gift Aid; 217,400 £1 Universal Credit tickets sold; 304,000 visitors to Untold...
Key Metric 3
89% of visitors gained a better understanding of stories (discovery); 83% felt happier after their visit (joy); 76% were inspired to learn more; 28,365...
83% of visitors felt happier after their visit; 89% gained better understanding of palace stories; 94% charitable activities allocation of total expenditure; Tomorrow's Tower campaign secured £1.9m including £1m from Sandys Trust and National Lottery Heritage Fund development grant
Impact Snapshot
Key Metric 1
3,943 young people reached across 279 learning sessions in 16 programmes; 46 public performances reaching 8,517 audience members
Key Metric 2
100+ Emerging Professionals supported with 159 paid performance opportunities; 32% from regions beyond London; 32% from African, Asian, Caribbean or Mixed Heritage backgrounds
Key Metric 3
46% of Under-18 participants receive bursaries; 46% benefit from free access (Pupil Premium, free school meals or low-income families)
Largest single concert audience of 1,500 for British Standard Time at Berlin's Konzerthaus; NYJO Under 18s alumni have gone on to Birmingham Conservatoire, Leeds Conservatoire and Cambridge University
Impact Snapshot
Key Metric 1
Engaged 11,903 participants across projects between April 2025 and March 2026
Key Metric 2
Worked with 76 schools (2 nurseries, 54 primary, 13 secondary, 7 specialist and 3 further education) across 14 London boroughs
Key Metric 3
135 students completed an Arts Award; 211 teachers took part in 17 CPD sessions
97% of teachers reported the CPD session would have some or significant impact on their teaching practice