June 2025 Drama update

• GCSE and A Level Drama 'Refresher' and 'New to' events in June
• GCSE Drama design support event
• Facebook Drama group
• Live productions of set texts this summer
• National Youth Monologues 
• Teacher Shakespeare CPD in Peckham, London
• Support and contact

GCSE and A level Drama 'Refresher' and 'New to' events

To help teachers who are brand new to our GCSE Drama and A Level Drama and Theatre courses, and those who currently teach them but would like a refresher session, I'll be running some online support sessions throughout June.

If you'd like to join, you book a place below:

GCSE Drama: Supporting Students on Design Routes

This training session is for centres currently offering or considering offering design routes (Costume Design, Lighting Design, Set Design and Sound Design) in GCSE Drama.

We will explain the requirements of design routes in the specification and explore a range of practical teaching and learning strategies for supporting students following these routes.You will have the opportunity to evaluate exemplars of design work in Components 1 and 2 using the assessment criteria for designers.

Facebook Drama group

We have a Facebook Drama community group for teachers. It's a private, professional group, created to support teacher in delivering our Drama and Theatre qualifications.

Teachers can use this group to field teaching and learning ideas, ask general questions and connection with other Drama and Theatre teachers.

I will be available to respond to queries on the group every week day between 9 and 5pm.

Pearson Edexcel Drama and Theatre Group

Live productions of set texts this summer

There are a couple of live productions of GCSE Drama set texts taking place this summer.

At Shakespeare's Globe theatre in London, Arthur Miller's The Crucible is playing until 12th July.

The Crucible

Across the South East of England, Changeling Theatre will be sharing their version of Twelfth Night in non-traditional locations throughout July and August.

Twelfth Night 

National Youth Monologues

Exciting opportunity this summer for 14-19 year olds

Submit a solo monologue that fits one of the following :

• Contemporary – from a published play written in the last 70 years
• Classical – from an Elizabethan or Jacobean play (e.g. Shakespeare or his contemporaries)
• Screen – from a published film or TV script
• Original – written or devised entirely by the student 

For Years 10 & 11 (Ages 14–16) 
The monologue should be performed on video, and around 1.5 to 2 minutes in length

For Years 12 & 13 (Ages 16–19)
The monologue should be 2 mins in length.

Entry is free for any young person receiving Free School Meals. If selected for the Live National Final, students can also apply for a travel bursary to help cover the cost of getting to London for the event.

Closing date 16th June 2025.

National Youth Monologues

Teacher CPD in Peckham, London

As part of their 25th anniversary activity, Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation (CSSF) is a hosting a one-of-a-kind CPD event bringing together teachers and leading theatre practitioners; Playful Spaces (Saturday 12 July in Peckham) will explore how creativity can re-energise teaching practice and reintroduce joy to the classroom.   

CSSF are looking for collaborators and offering sponsorship packages with the opportunity to receive tickets to attend Playful Spaces and other 25th anniversary activities. 

Contact their Programmes and Creative Lead: Maddie.short@coramshakespeareschools.org.uk

Support and contact

Please feel free to get in touch, if you require any help or support in your delivery.