This time of the year is an interesting one. The shift from balmy autumn days to sharp winter mornings always signifies change for me, and just as the seasons are evolving, so are students.
A month or so into term, routine will begin to settle in. This is the period of time that you get to know your students – class quirks, what approaches to take, who the ‘leaders’ are and what you can do to shake things up. This is when we can try new things out, while also ensuring all students are on the right track by the time next term rolls around.
In some ways, this term is full of the unknown in the most pleasant way possible, and that is brilliant. To assist you with your tests and trials, we have an array of schemes of work for every key stage, along with an amazing bank of resources that are available to download from our website.
In this issue I was lucky enough to report back from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Flick through the pages to see my review highlights, alongside my top tips for teachers taking the plunge on a trip to the Royal Mile.
Elsewhere, we hear from the team behind a new production of Waiting for Godot, discover New Earth Theatre's Academy, and note the drama programmer's highlights for the upcoming Music & Drama Education Expo 2025. Dr Steve Ball shares his take on what the new government will mean for arts education, and practiced physical theatre artist Emily Clarke runs through her learnings at School Jacques Lecoq.
And just as the seasons change in your school, so do they in the staff at Drama & Theatre magazine. I am sad to say that this will be my last issue as editor of the title – a role I have loved dearly. While the move is bittersweet, I am happy to say that I leave you with a very capable team who I am sure will continue to deliver the brilliant content I have strived to maintain over my tenure.
From my three years on Drama & Theatre, I have learned that the most amazing thing about the publication is the passion and pride of its readers. Please continue to advocate and campaign for your subject, whether that be in your school or outside parliament. You are so important in the lives of your students, and the future of arts education. And remember that D&T mag will always be a meeting point for you to return to when needed.