Bury St Edmunds' Geoff Barton at Royal Shakespeare Company

Geoff Barton was head of King Edward VI School, in the west Suffolk town, for 15 years before stepping down in 2017.

The former English teacher of 32 years recently resigned as the general secretary of the Association of School & College Leaders, which represents more than 25,000 educational leaders.

Mr Barton said: “I am delighted to be joining the RSC board. Arts learning has a significant impact on young people’s language development and confidence, and the RSC’s work in this field is pioneering.

“I couldn’t be prouder to join the board as a critical friend and as advocate and ambassador for their amazing work in bringing Shakespeare to more young people and their communities in times where his stories feel ever more urgent and relevant.”

The RSC works with 280 schools in disadvantaged areas of England in its Associated Schools’ Programme, using theatre-based teaching to help students develop communication skills and confidence.

Mr Barton, who is also chair of the Oracy Commission, has written and edited more than 100 books on grammar and literacy.

Shriti Vadera, RSC chair, said: “We are delighted to welcome Geoff to the RSC board.

"He was inspired by a brilliant English teacher as a child, he was a teacher himself for over three decades and has championed the voice of thousands of school and college leaders over the last seven years as general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders.

“His knowledge, experience and passion will be a great asset to the RSC’s ground-breaking learning work with young people and teachers.”

The RSC is celebrating William Shakespeare’s birthday in Skegness with a performance of Romeo and Juliet at The Embassy Theatre and in local schools.