Drama
Offering children the chance to explore, discuss and learn to manage and act out their own thoughts and feelings, Drama is taught as part of the curriculum at Woodbridge School Prep. Helping to improve verbal and non-verbal communication skills, Drama is a safe place where children can express themselves without judgement.
The benefits of Drama
Taught as a standalone subject, Drama lessons take place once a week from Reception through to Year 6. An integral element of the English curriculum, Drama incorporates speaking and listening skills in every lesson and is complimented with clubs, activities, trips and workshops.
From understanding and using body language and facial expression in Reception to re-enacting stories and developing characters, children develop their own creativity as well as increase and improve their technical language as they move through to Year 6.
Drama gives children the courage to embrace the opportunity to explore and express what they are feeling, while interpreting how this is received and managed by those around them. Children are encouraged to embrace new skills and understand how trying something different can lead to interesting new pathways. Drama can support children in the development of critical thinking and problem-solving, both within and beyond lessons.
Drama offers a safe space for children to interact, interpret and work through their own imaginative thoughts, as well as learn how to collaborate with their peers. Encouraging confidence in a safe environment supports development in all areas of School life.
Developing key skills
Drama provides an opportunity for children to experience the same things in different ways to one another; reinforcing individuality and respect for others. A skills-based activity which is extremely sociable, Drama helps to develop key social skills through the introduction and exploration of a range of emotions.
At its core, Drama encourages imagination, listening, focus, empathy and teamwork – all transferable life skills needed to navigate life at School and beyond.
Drama and CLICK
Encouraging the School’s core values: communication, leadership, initiative, collaboration and kindness, Drama reinforces and encourages all of the characteristics of CLICK, supporting children to equip themselves with skills that will help them to develop and perform to the very best of their ability.
The habits developed and learned through Drama enable children to embrace tasks and challenges, crossing over into every other subject at School.
Cross curricular
There can be challenges in everyday life, and at School, and Drama offers a way of easily accessing cross-curricular matters. For example, resolving tricky situations through dramatisation and expression offers children an opportunity to express their feelings in a safe environment, and learn how they impact not only themselves but also others.
Within the same learning opportunity children can also learn about managing feelings, communicating positively and how this allows them to resolve issues with a variety of strategies.
Beyond the curriculum
There can be challenges in everyday life, and at School, and Drama offers a way of easily accessing cross-curricular matters. For example, resolving tricky situations through dramatisation and expression offers children an opportunity to express their feelings in a safe environment, and learn how they impact not only themselves but also others.
Within the same learning opportunity children can also learn about managing feelings, communicating positively and how this allows them to resolve issues with a variety of strategies.
It’s showtime!
Coming together as a class, as Year groups or together as our whole School, not only encourages collaboration, co-operation, time management and organisation, it provides a wonderful and exciting opportunity for children to celebrate achievements, showcase learnings and enjoy the celebration of Drama!
It creates strong friendships through shared passions and experiences, supporting and helping one another. It also demonstrates the importance of and encourages empathy, morale and a determination to succeed.
Our Productions
Our shows come together through the collaboration of our Drama, Music, Art and Engineering departments and teachers. Past shows include:
- Shrek Jr – Year 5 and 6
- Star Warts – Year 3
- Born in a Barn (Nativity) – Reception, Year 1 and 2
- Madagascar Jr – Year 5 and 6
- Wind in the Willows – Year 5 and 6
- Porridge – Year 3 and 4
- The Inn Crowd (Nativity) – Reception, Year 1 and 2
Drama club
Years 3 to 6 – After School and/or lunchtime once a week.
Children experience drama through skills-based games, activities and performance. During productions, these may become daily lunchtime script clubs and weekly after school production clubs, including choreography and production scene rehearsals.
Meet the staff
Natasha Duehring (Drama Teacher)
Having always had a passion for Drama and Performing Arts, Natasha hopes she can enthuse students with a little of the same magic that theatre brought her.
From a young age, she was involved in various local dance groups and was a member of the Co-op Juniors, as well as the Wolsey Youth Theatre in her teens. Having performed herself on stages such as The Regent, The New Wolsey and The Benjamin Britten stage at Snape, she continued her love into her studies and even trod the boards at University.
Since starting her teaching career, Miss Duehring, has always been involved in school productions, and has, for many years, had the pleasure of directing them herself. With a family that are still very much involved in local amateur dramatics, she can often be found helping backstage, in the costume cupboard or volunteering with their summer workshops.
Want to see for yourself?
In addition to our open days, we welcome visits from parents and children looking for the right foundation for life ahead. We’ll be happy to show you around and answer any questions you have about our School, staff and the support we offer our students.