Guildford Shakespeare Company is celebrating its 20th anniversary by highlighting the impact of its knife crime awareness programme, Put Up Your Swords, which has reached more than 2,000 young people in its first term.
The eight‑week initiative, created in response to a local stabbing incident in 2023, uses Romeo and Juliet as a framework to help Year 9 students understand the realities of knife crime. Developed with partners including the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey, the University of Surrey, Fearless/Crimestoppers, the Kiyan Prince Foundation and Charlie’s Promise, the programme combines drama workshops, stage combat sessions, talks from guest speakers and a simulated court case in which Romeo is put on trial.
Rather than relying on passive learning, the programme encourages active participation, enabling students to rehearse safer choices in a supported environment. Independent evaluation has shown significant improvements: 83% of students understood that carrying a knife does not make them safer, up from 50%, while 74% knew where to access help, compared with 35% at the start. Confidence in making safer decisions rose to 78%, and at Christ’s College, willingness to report knife crime increased from 18% to 82%.
Teachers also reported the programme to be highly valuable and particularly effective for students who struggle in traditional classroom settings.
Creative Learning Producer Kerrie Driscoll said, “Too many young people face life-changing consequences because they didn’t believe they had safer choices. That’s why working hand-in-hand with partner organisations, schools, local authorities, and our wider community is vital. Together, we can provide the guidance and real alternatives that help young people step away from danger and reduce the devastating impact of knife-related violence.”
The company plans to expand Put Up Your Swords across more schools in Surrey and beyond.
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