Five Islands Academy artwork flies high with RSC collaboration

Students from Five Islands Academy have brought Shakespeare to life in a striking new way, with three bespoke flags now flying proudly above Holgates Green on St Mary’s.

The flags are the culmination of a creative education project inspired by the Royal Shakespeare Company’s (RSC) first-ever visit to the Isles of Scilly this autumn.

As part of the Company’s outreach work surrounding its new 80-minute production, First Encounters: King Lear, Five Islands Academy students engaged in a series of workshops exploring themes from the play - ranging from sibling rivalry to devolution - guided by RSC director Justine Themen, who visited the islands ahead of the performances.

Year 7 pupils were then invited to create illustrations of the play’s characters. Cornwall-based graduate artist and Five Islands Academy alumna Daisy Davis refined the drawings into bold designs, which were transformed into a striking set of three 5ft flags.

These flags now fly over Holgates Green, a landmark location overlooking St Mary’s Harbour, symbolising both the students’ creativity and the vibrant cultural life of the islands.

And as a happy postscript to the work, the world-renowned theatre company has asked to keep the flags once they’re taken down, as outstanding evidence of community engagement with their work.

Jeremy Brown, creative programmer for Culture on Scilly, said: “This project has given our students a truly unforgettable experience - working alongside professional artists and one of the world’s leading theatre companies. To see their ideas flying high over St Mary’s is a moment of real pride for the school and the community.”

Rachel Lewin, Headteacher of Five Islands Academy, added: “Our students have been inspired to grow in creativity and confidence, while also developing a stronger understanding of how the arts connect to the wider world. We are proud to see the glorious King Lear flags that ‘wing the midway air’ against the backdrop of St Mary’s Harbour. What a great collaboration!”

The workshops and flag-making were part of the education outreach programme surrounding the RSC’s production of First Encounters: King Lear. This new production, directed by renowned theatre director Justine Themen, has been shaped by consultation with young people to reflect themes that matter to them today, such as leadership and climate justice.

First Encounters: King Lear is the second of two national tours in 2025, supported by a touring grant from Arts Council England, signalling the RSC’s continued commitment to widening access to quality arts experiences for schools and communities.

The flags project was made possible through Culture on Scilly with funding from Arts Council England, the new Cultural Centre and Museum in Hugh Town, and Hall for Cornwall.