My three years as a Drama teacher at Thomas Telford School has been a fantastic learning experience. I have developed my abilities at teaching in an environment that has very high academic standards. I have developed my subject knowledge and ability to lead pupils to thrive, both academically and vocationally. I taught I range of programmes across the age groups (11-18), including Level 3 BTEC Performing Arts (Musical Theatre), Level 2 BTEC Tech Award in Performing Arts (Drama) and Level 3 OCR Cambridge Technicals (Performing Arts). I have led exam groups through performances in the styles of Stanislavski, Brecht and Frantic Assembly and directed exam pieces in a range of styles. I have also led Year 9 through the Bronze Arts Award. Throughout my time here I also played a large role in the extra-curricular programmes: I was in charge of KS3 Drama Club and put on a production at the end of each year, including Terry Pratchett’s ‘Johnny and the Dead’ as well as a number of original pieces. I coached pupils for termly Art’s Night presentations and assisted them in their preparation for stage school auditions. Additionally, I helped out with the whole-school musical (‘Grease’, ‘The Addams Family’ and ‘Footloose’). I also co-directed/co-choreographed the KS3 production of ‘Joseph and his Technicolour Dream Coat’. Whilst at Thomas Telford School, I was a personal Tutor to a vertically streamed tutor group, whom I led in a variety of educational/citizenship/wellbeing activities, charity ventures and helped with UCAS statements.

I completed my NQT year at Hodge Hill Sports and Enterprise College. Whilst here, I developed and taught schemes of work in Drama and English to Key Stages 3 and 4. As well as gaining invaluable experience in the teaching of both Drama and English, I was able to gain insight into different abilities and taught a range of pupils with differing learning needs. Teaching this wide range of students has given me a broad understanding of the necessity for differentiation within the classroom. Whilst here I started GCSE Drama (previously not taught at the school) and came up with an appropriate course outline. I also assisted in their first whole-school production, a musical called ‘Aladdin Trouble’, which was done in collaboration with the Music Department.

This job really helped me develop my interpersonal skills and proficiencies at dealing with the general public. My ushering responsibilities involved me learning information about each production and the theatre, which I also conducted small tours of. My position as Assistant to the Education Manager led me on a number of school visits, to advertise the theatre or provide workshops to support a current show. My first project was supporting the Royal Shakespeare Company’s school production of Hamlet as it toured schools in the area. I made sure that the schools were prepared for the performance (space and resources) and assisted with the workshops following the production (behaviour management and leading activities). I took part in the development of ‘The Winter’s Tale Project’ where I worked with local school to produce a promenade performance of devised work within the front of house areas of the theatre. During half-term, I assisted with a week-long KS2/3 project on ‘Swallows and Amazons’, developing and leading activities with the Education Manager. I also took part in a number of teacher training events (including a Globe Theatre workshop on their current production of ‘Henry V’ which led to some freelance work supporting local schools). Finally, I helped selected local-schools with their performance in the Titanic Takeover project, to make the anniversary of the sinking of the ship (which has strong links to the city).