Implementing a Primary Drama Curriculum: What subject leaders and teachers need

Patrice Baldwin
Monday, May 1, 2023

In the final instalment of Patrice Baldwin’s six-part series, the education expert gives an overview of the approaches primary teachers need to take to deliver a credible Drama curriculum.

Primary schools may have a Drama curriculum in place but this does not necessarily mean that it is being taught consistently and well across the whole school. The reasons for this are usually varied and manifold and need to be addressed systematically by the subject leader. Most schools would benefit from some in-service teacher training in Drama, to enable their teachers to deliver the Drama curriculum confidently and well.

All children need to make progress and continuously develop their Drama knowledge, understanding and skills. Subject leaders need to know that the Drama curriculum is being taught throughout the school and that the Drama teaching is at least satisfactory and improving. Drama subject leaders need time allocated for them to get inside classrooms and observe Drama teaching in each class. How else can they judge the quality of Drama teaching and know that the lessons match with the curriculum and learning intentions? They also need time to give clear, supportive and developmental feedback to each teacher – and perhaps even the teaching assistants, as they are often actively involved in the Drama lessons too. When observing lessons, subject leaders will find out whether any Drama in-service training that has taken place, is having an impact and whether further in-service training is necessary. Some teachers may need some form of additional support to be put in place, be it planning support or paired teaching.

Having observed and evaluated Drama teaching across the school, the subject leader might ask to schedule a staff meeting to share main findings, give key messages and agree some manageable ‘next steps’ with teachers. Ideally, a facilitated and focused whole staff discussion will follow, with teachers leaving the meeting, clear and keen to take the ‘next steps’ required of them. Some teachers may need additional subject leader guidance and support. This may involve teaching a lesson with the subject leader coaching, support with lesson planning, or the opportunity to watch another teacher’s Drama lesson.

Headteachers and governors need to know about the school’s Drama curriculum and its development. There may be a designated governor for Drama who meets with the subject leader on a termly or annual basis. If not, then a proactive Drama subject leader could request one, or alternatively might submit updates to the governing body via a well-informed headteacher.

Resources, information and support for Primary Drama subject leaders

Primary drama subject leaders are not always drama specialists, so may require Drama and/or subject leader training themselves. This usually has budgetary implications and funding should come from the school’s planned budget.Subject AssociationsSubject leaders would be well advised to join a reputable Drama subject association, such as National Drama or NATD. They offer online a nd face-to-face training, led by Drama specialist teachers.

Oak National Academy

A Primary Drama Curriculum and Drama lessons for each year group are freely available online. These were originally intended to support remote learning during lockdown, but remain available and are still being used in various ways by some schools. Subject leaders should familiarise themselves with this national resource. Some of the lessons link with another subject, teaching it through drama, e.g. Florence Nightingale (History) and Beowulf (English). Some teachers might select lessons to use with their classes, whereas others might watch them to get drama strategies and ideas to use in their own lessons – or adapt the lessons for their classes. Subject leaders may wish to know whether, when and how teachers are using these lessons.

Theatres

Theatre visits should be a curriculum entitlement for all children, but they may need to be budgeted for. National and regional theatres have education programmes, streamed theatre and CPD opportunities that subject leaders should be aware of.

Social media Drama networks

Most social media drama groups are secondary Drama and/or theatre focussed but there are free, social media Drama teacher groups that might be of interest to subject leaders.

Drama and Theatre

Subscribers to Drama and Theatre magazine can access online, one-off primary lessons and units and articles of relevance to subject leaders. Subject leaders could signpost teachers to certain lessons and articles, using them as a resource for teacher support and development. Subject leaders might also wish to visit the annual Music and Drama Expo. 

Primary Drama CPD, free lessons and resources can be found at patricebaldwin.net