Success stories

‘Why should my child study drama?’, ‘how will drama help their future career?’ and ‘what can you do with drama?’ are questions that drama teachers are asked regularly. Based on recent Ofqual reports, the number of pupils studying Drama for GCSE has been in decline over the past 7 years, even though Drama benefits the individual: helping them to develop communication and collaborative skills, as well as increasing confidence. Surely these transferable skills helped Drama students when joining various professions?

Acting headteacher of Trinity Church of England Primary School, Sabrina McMann, studied Drama to degree and PGCE level before embarking on her teaching career, explaining how the subject gave her confidence to stand in front of children, staff, parents and governors. She notes that her drama training has also fed her practical teaching skills and she endeavours to instil this learning in the classroom. She adds, ‘My experiences of being directed taught me how to lead people and not simply manage them. I believe it plays a large role in why I have progressed in my career.’