Drama is included in the National Curriculum as part of the English syllabus, but schools are not required to provide separate drama lessons. This means that many pupils will not have significant experience of drama at school.

In schools in England where Drama remains part of the curriculum, it is usually possible to take a GCSE in Drama or in Expressive Arts.  Both courses require written work and documentation to support practical work. In Scotland, students may take Standard Grade, Intermediate, Higher and Advanced Higher Drama. All have a strong practical nature, and the Higher focuses on acting as a skill. There is also a Higher in Drama Practice, which is a very practical course requiring a final project instead of a written examination. Another option is the new Creative and Media Diploma, which offers work-based learning in partnership with arts organisations.

If your school does not provide these courses, there may be another one nearby that does. The government is encouraging the growth of specialist schools and academies in the arts, sports, technology and languages in the state sector. The number of specialist performing arts schools is small in comparison to sports and technology. However there are currently more than 400 arts colleges operating across England specialising in either performing, visual or media arts, and around 50 more which combine arts with another subject. For a full list, contact the Department for Education on 0370 000 2288.

There are full-time specialist performing arts schools in the UK, known as Stage Schools. NCDT does not accredit these institutions but they are generally inspected by Ofsted. Most are private and fee-paying, and fees can be more than £7,000 a year. The suitability of Stage School depends upon the educational needs and career aims of the student.

The BRIT School is a state-funded Performing Arts and Technology School admitting students who intend to make a career in the arts, entertainment and communications industries. The majority of students are from Greater London and some from Kent and Surrey, although a small percentage of students from other parts of the country are accepted. The school provides vocational education for the performing arts as well as general education and the advantage being that the tuition is free.

The BRIT School
Tel. 020 8665 5242
60 The Crescent, Croydon  CRO 2HN
www.brit.croydon.sch.uk
[email protected]