The current rolling programme of Shakespeare plays runs to 2008. In autumn 2006 the QCA conducted a consultation to gather the preferences of teachers and other stakeholders for Shakespeare plays to be taught at key stage 3. The consultation has now been completed and a report summarising stakeholders’ responses for plays for 2009 onwards is available to download from the right-hand side of this page.

QCA has considered which plays are popular with schools and therefore how widely they are studied. QCA is keen for time and resources to be maximised for those plays that are interesting and enjoyable to teach and study. As a result, QCA is considering setting two plays for study, carefully chosen, to maintain the balance of coverage of areas of assessment and the range of comedies, tragedies and histories over time. It is expected that plays would remain on the programme for a period of three years, as at present.

QCA will publish the plays set for study for 2009 to 2011 before the end of June.