Photo Flash: WICKED Named 'Best Theatre Production for Schools' at 2016 School Travel Awards

WICKED, the acclaimed stage musical that tells the incredible 'untold' story of the Witches of Oz, has today been voted Best Theatre Production for Schools by teachers at the 2016 School Travel Awards. Scroll down for photos!

Now into its 10th year at the Apollo Victoria Theatre, Wicked poses the question 'was the infamous Wicked Witch really wicked or simply the innocent victim of a corrupt regime...?' and tells the story of how two sorcery students came to fulfil their destinies in Oz as Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.

Nominated by teachers as a production that 'excites, inspires and entertains' with a 'message that students could relate to', the show was also recognised for 'supporting subject teaching and offering the option of bookable workshops.'

Katy Holmes, Music and Drama teacher at Ark All Saints Academy in Camberwell, south east London says: "Congratulations to Wicked on winning this wonderful award. I would absolutely recommend the show to other teachers considering a school trip to the theatre. Visually the show is stunning and the themes of friendship, acceptance and integrity follow our school values."

Today's School Travel Award - voted on by teacher readers of the School Travel Organiser's magazine - was presented at a ceremony hosted by broadcaster Fiona Bruce at London's Royal Garden Hotel.

Accepting the award Christopher Warner, director of The ArtsLink, which creates and manages the education programme says: "We are honoured to accept this prestigious accolade on behalf of the producers of Wicked. Going to watch live theatre is a really important educational experience in its own right. What Wicked also offers students from Key Stage 2 right through to A Level is the opportunity to celebrate difference, as well as study incredible storytelling, stagecraft and performance. More than 450,000 students of Drama, English and Music, as well as general school parties have been to see the show in the last decade. So from all of those onstage and backstage every night, as well as the team delivering the educational workshops and education programme by day, I want to say a massive thank you to the teachers who voted for us!'