I think we do our subject a massive disservice by defending it all the time by referring to these skills as a purpose of studying Drama. It builds a false understanding of the subject in the students minds and creates a divide between the students expectations of the subject and the realities of how it is taught and, more importantly, assessed. Continue reading Part 3: Don’t sell Drama on Soft Skills
There have been a lot of developments in education in the last 10 years, especially at Key Stage 3 and within the National Curriculum. Changes which have a massive knock on effect on Drama. Yet regardless of how vigorous, reasoned, or passionate any argument from the Drama Teaching establishment was, all protests fell on deaf ears. A harsh reality needs to be remembered here. From the very moment Drama was left out of the National Curriculum, there has been no reason for the Government to include Drama in any of its plans. Continue reading History of Drama in Education Part 6: Differences, arguments and existential crises.
In his 1997 book, The GCSE Drama Coursebook, Andy Kempe writes about the excellent health of Drama. He estimates that about 70,000 young people were choosing to take GCSE Drama by the late 1990’s. Drama appeared to be booming 10 years into the National Curriculum. Ten years after it appeared and feared that Drama lost forever. Continue reading History of Drama in Education Part 5: Process Drama
This is part four of a series of articles chronicling the history of Drama and Theatre in Education. It is important. It is important to understand where the subject of Drama has come from. What baggage it comes with. How perceptions of the subject have changed over the years. How that baggage and perceptions effect the subject today. Continue reading History of Drama in Education Part 4: Mantle of the Expert and the National Curriculum
This is part three of a series of articles chronicling the history of Drama and Theatre in Education. It is important. It is important to understand where the subject of Drama has come from. What baggage it comes with. How perceptions of the subject have changed over the years. How that baggage and perceptions effect the subject today. If you missed part one you can … Continue reading History of Drama in Education Part 3: Drama and the Tripartite System
This is part two of a series of articles chronicling the history of Drama and Theatre in Education. It is important. It is important to understand where the subject of Drama has come from. What baggage it comes with. How perceptions of the subject have changed over the years. How that baggage and perceptions effect the subject today. Continue reading History of Drama in Education Part 2: Peter Slade & Child Drama
BURT'S DRAMA 