At the centre of Drama is communication.  Within a safe environment the subject offers an opportunity for pupils to discover who and what they are, and how they relate to others around them.  It provides very practical training necessary for today’s increasingly information-centred world.

Those studying Drama are less likely to have difficulty speaking in public - being more persuasive in their communication and having a more positive, confident self image.  It is a truly collaborative art-form requiring self control and discipline and prepares pupils to live and work in a team-orientated environment.

By providing pupils with an outlet for emotions, thoughts and dreams, it can challenge their perceptions about the world and themselves. By exploring and experimenting with role-play, pupils can develop a greater tolerance and empathy towards understanding their own and others’ motives or problems – an important component in becoming a responsible global citizen.

As an educational tool, through promoting active learning, it has obvious links with subjects such as History, English, Music and PSHE.  Drama used in these subject areas gives students a kinaesthetic and empathetic understanding as well as an intellectual understanding of a topic.  This approach yields a greater depth of understanding and a marked improvement in retention.

Above all, Drama is a way of enriching the pupils' school experience and opening up a world of creative genius and beauty that feeds the soul.  It is a world where they are shown what they could be if they wanted and what they would like to be if they dared.

Here at Putney Park we have a generous double lesson of Drama each week to year 9 in our designated Drama Studio.  Pupils can then choose to study Drama for GCSE.  Our Drama results have been excellent with 72% receiving A to A*.

All students have an opportunity to perform in their individual class projects, assemblies and open days as well as the extra-curricular school Drama productions.  Some of the productions done in the last few years are The Wizard of Oz, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe (Senior School) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Alice in Wonderland (Junior School).

I would like to finish with some of the comments written by our current year 11 Drama students describing Drama:

• Enjoyable
• Relaxing
• Be someone different
• Improves your self-esteem
• Find a side to yourself you never knew you had
• Builds relationships
• Learn to co-operate with classmates and work as a team
• We all became closer as friends

For more details please visit the Drama page in our emagazine.