Drama 11-16

Becoming a drama teacher is an exhilarating journey filled with endless opportunities for creativity and connection. It’s about embracing the magic of storytelling and the transformative power of the stage. As a drama teacher, you have the privilege of guiding students as they explore the depths of human emotion, unlock their potential as performers, and discover their own unique voices. Each day brings new adventures in improvisation, character development, and ensemble work, fostering a dynamic and supportive learning environment. The joy of being a drama teacher lies in witnessing the spark of inspiration ignite in your students’ eyes and seeing them grow into confident, expressive individuals who are ready to take on the world, one performance at a time.

Being a teacher of drama means you will support young people to:

• build confidence, risk-taking and leadership skills;
• inspire creativity;
• support students in learning about themselves and the world around them by showing how drama is integral to cultures in different times and places;
• provide opportunities for students to make and understand drama;
• recognise drama as a practical art form in which ideas and meaning are communicated to an audience through choices of form, style and convention;
• develop empathy and work collaboratively to generate, develop and communicate ideas.

What are the key concepts that underpin our approach to the teaching of drama?

• Artistic intention
• Devising 
• Textual
• Performance
• Production
• Staging
• Critical evaluation

The expert guidance that I received on the programme was invaluable. My drama subject specialist was always on hand to support and was a great help in supporting me to link theory with practice.

This course is built on an extensive research base in teaching drama and it is closely interwoven with our Central Curriculum Sessions as part of our overall Integrated Curriculum approach. Each year we review all aspects of our courses to ensure that they covers the most relevant components of the subject as well as introducing you to the most commonly taught ideas and concepts. Mentors and specialist teachers in our partnership schools also play a crucial role in reviewing the programme to ensure that it gives the very best preparation for becoming a great drama teacher.

Our carefully designed curriculum is structured so that you will have approximately one Subject Curriculum Session a week across the 2024-25 academic year. Alongside this, subject specificity is carefully woven throughout all aspects of the course, including the ongoing assessment process and the optional PGCE assignments, so that all content is relevant to you and your teaching. Subject Curriculum Sessions will develop on the ideas and theory raised in your general Central Curriculum Sessions so that you have expert guidance on how best to deliver strategies and techniques in your specific subject area. 

Our drama course prepares you to teach across the 11-16 age range, and you will be formally assessed in those key stages. In addition you will also have the opportunity to observe and teach KS5/ A level in at least one of your placements and your Subject Curriculum Sessions will include training that prepares you to teach KS5/ A level.

The links below will provide you with information about the curriculum and programmes of study for Key Stage 3 and 4 that schools are expected to deliver, these shape the content that your Subject Curriculum Sessions will cover, to ensure that you are able and confident to teach across the full range of topic areas included.

There is not a statutory drama KS3 national curriculum, but some elements are included in the English programmes of study:

• English programmes of study KS3 national curriculum
• Drama GCSE (KS4) subject content

As well as introducing you to a wealth of relevant books, articles and research papers from our own resources and library, you will also have funded access to National Drama, the leading voice for drama education.

Membership will be set up and arranged for you at the start of the course and your Subject Specialist will guide you on how best to use the resources, professional learning community and events to support your subject development and the lessons that you will prepare and deliver.