How To Become DramaTeacher
How to Become a Drama teacher.
Are you passionate about teaching, do you love working with young people, do you want every day to be filled with creative challenges?
Then Why not train as a Drama teacher?
Whether you are interested in training as a full time teacher in a primary, junior or secondary school or training to run or teach at a part time school we aim to show you the way.
4 steps to becoming a drama teacher in a full time school.
- Complete your school education GCSE'S and A Levels
- During school attend drama and performing arts classes.
- Apply to university to do a degree courses or to one of the many drama schools that offer teaching courses.
- If your degree was not in your chosen discipline then you will need to apply for a PGCE course which takes one year with school placements.
4 steps to becoming a teacher in a part time performing arts school.
- Gain as much knowledge of your chosen discipline by attending classes.
- Enquire at your part time school if you could shadow your teacher or work with them as a volunteer assistant.
- Take your LAMDA teaching certificate or Trinty exams or relevant exams in your chosen discipline. (Examination boards offering teaching exams.)
- Apply to Part time performing Arts schools.
A real life account of how Becky Segalini became a drama teacher
Here is a real life experience of a Drama teacher Becky Segalini who after leaving her part time Drama school Blag Youth Theatre in Rickmansworth landed a first class job in a secondary school in Hertfordshire, she also outlines other routes open to you.
‘My passion for acting began in my early teens, when I joined my local acting classes at Blag Youth Theatre. There I was able to expand my knowledge and experiment with improvisation and scripted pieces. It also gave me performance opportunities which confirmed my passion for the arts.
I left school with 3 A-levels (Theatre studies, Music and English Lit.) in 1998. I went on to do a three year degree in Drama and Theatre Studies and graduated in 2001. During the following 3 years I worked with a variety of different aged children running outdoor adventure activities. I then made the decision to become a secondary school teacher and to go back to university; so in 2004 I started a PGCE in drama at Chester University. This course took a year and was very hands-on with two teaching placements in different schools.
Once I completed this year I started as an NQT (Newly Qualified teacher) at a school in Hertfordshire - Once I had done one year at this school i was a fully-qualified teacher of drama!!
There are other routes into teaching:
- If you make the decision before I did and know when you finish your A-Levels that you want to be a teacher then you can do a 4 year course at University and become either a primary teacher or a secondary teacher with drama specialism.
- If you have a drama degree already and wish to teach then you can either apply to do a PGCE, like me or a GTP. A GTP is a school based qualification where you work in a school for a reduced salary until you qualify.
- If you have a degree in another subject then you can still become a performing arts teacher but may have to do a short course to convert your specialism.’
Teaching and Applied Drama
Trinity Guildhall Diplomas in Teaching, Applied Drama, Education Studies and Directing are valuable qualifications for those practitioners wishing to validate their work as teachers, tutors or directors in the fields of performing arts. At all levels, written work as well as performance or demonstration of practical applications is required. The ATCL,Teaching diplomas,may be taken in Speech and Acting or Theatre Arts.
The minimum age at entry is 18.
The ATCL provides a preliminary qualification equivalent to the first year of a university degree. While it does not confer trained teacher status, it is a valuable qualification for those working towards a Licentiate and working with individuals and small groups in studios, young people's theatre and colleges.
For more information please visit Trinity College web site.
CLICK HERE for more information on Trinity Guildhall Teacher Qualifications
We are at present compiling information to help you fulfil your dream, keep checking back to the site for more information on courses and helpful publications.
Stagecoach Theatre Arts now offer Teacher Training Find out more HERE
The Arts is now one of the most popular subjects to follow at GCSE and A level. With so many students discovering a passion for the arts it is important to know what opportunities are available when it comes to pursing a career. Would be Performers have several options, they can study at university or choose one of the top drama schools.
- To become a teacher in a secondary school you will need to have a 3 year degree and a one year PGCE or a four year teaching degree.
- It is best to specialise in drama at University and then do a PGCE.
- Also, private secondary schools sometimes employ non-qualified teachers as long as they have good subject knowledge.
If you are applying For a PGCE, please follow the link below.
https://www.ucas.com/ucas/teacher-training/find-training-programme
Working in a Part Time Performing Arts School
London Drama serving drama teachers across London.
London Drama is a Professional Association for drama teachers, lecturers, teachers-in-training, theatre practitioners and others concerned with any aspect of Theatre Education.
100 Acting Exercises for 8 - 18 Year Olds