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As a drama teacher, I’m often asked by parents: “What do you actually do in Drama? In my day we didn’t have it as a subject, I mean it’s good for their confidence, but…what do they do?"Ìý

In simple terms, the Drama lesson provides an opportunity for pupils to explore their world. Yes, it builds confidence, but educationally it is unique in allowing students to question and experience what they feel, challenging their preconceptions more than just theoretically. It is academic and experiential. and should be taught that way. Academically Drama lessons should challenge the intellect and arouse curiosity and reflection about the complex issues of our world.

In 2008, Labour announced a funding plan to ensure all children should have access to quality cultural activity with its “Find Your Talent “scheme, while announcing that . Since then, the coalition government has brought in huge cuts to the Arts.

Remarkably, in our national curriculum, it is contained within the speaking and listening requirements for English. How Drama is timetabled is therefore largely dependant on its status within individual schools. Ideally it should be a double lesson a week as part of the curriculum, until it becomes a GCSE choice.Ìý

GCSE Drama and GCE (A level) Theatre Studies are extremely popular. Sixty percent of GCSE Drama is practical. For performance candidates this is devised, improvised or text based work, with directing or design options for students who love the subject but are not necessarily inclined to perform. Forty percent is on coursework or a written examination that asks students to evaluate their practical experience covered in class.

Drama is not an easy option. Top universities are demanding AAB to study it at degree level. Drama is a hugely popular choice at universities, studying drama is one thing but training to be a professional actor is altogether different. The top drama schools are not interested in your child’s grades, nor should they be, they want talent, passion and single mindedness. Check out for advice on to how to get into acting.Ìý

Drama can be used to explore many important issues. Last week my Year 9’s (13 + yrs) sat in darkness and told each other what it felt like to sit in a prison cell, imprisoned for having stood up for their beliefs, they were exploring human rights.Ìý

Initially, to engage with their own feelings of injustice, I pretended that use of their mobile phones would be banned. Furious at the idea, their personal outrage enabled them to begin to understand where the courage of people like Mandela, Luther King, Aung San Suu Kyi came from. They then acted out imagined testimonies of why they had been imprisoned.Ìý

After the last student spoke, they were silent, moved, and thoughtful. But also ignited and energised. They had begun to create their own piece of drama based on their own truths, their own experience. They had tasted the transformative power of theatre, fully inclusive, with even the less confident finding their voice.

Amanda Hope is a drama teacher at a secondary school.

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