Drama as a medium for improving literacy outcomes is becoming recognised world wide…
(Ackroyd 2000; Baldwyn 1998; Ewing and Simons 2004; O’Toole 2002).

In partnership with The University of Sydney, Sydney Theatre Company is proud to announce School Drama – an inspiring professional development program for primary school teachers that has drama pedagogy at its core.

School Drama promotes and demonstrates how drama is a powerful medium for the teaching of English and literacy in young learners. At the core of School Drama is teacher professional learning as a partnership between a teacher and a performer to increase literacy levels of primary aged students. School Drama strategies can be integrated into any area of literacy, for example may include narrative writing, speaking and listening and/or student engagement.

School Drama begins with a professional development workshop facilitated by Professor Robyn Ewing and STC Ed. Then collectively, the teacher, STC Ed and The University of Sydney will create a 7 week team-teaching program tailored to each classes’ individual learning aspirations. Then the fun begins! The artist will come and teach the program with the teacher each week for 7 weeks, modelling the drama based strategies empowering them to carry these ideas into their regular teaching practice.

STC Ed and The University of Sydney are resolute in our commitment to create a drama-based program that improves literacy learning in primary schools. The School Drama program will increase your skills and confidence in the development and implementation of drama and literacy programmes.

School Drama is a tremendous opportunity for teachers at any stage of their careers to participate in a unique and dynamic collaboration between artists and drama educators. And your students will have a great time learning!

For additional information on School Drama, please contact Naomi Edwards, Acting Education Manager at nedwards@sydneytheatre.com.au or 02 9250 1726.