At King’s Ely, we aim to develop confidence, perseverance, social skills and the ability to value one’s own visions while appreciating and incorporate the ideas of others.

Year 9 students have one timetabled Drama lesson per week. Key dramatic skills are taught through warm-ups, improvisations, workshops and practical rehearsals and performances. Students are taught about naturalistic acting skills, as well as physical theatre, dance, live production analysis and the application of design fundamentals.

Pupils can opt for GCSE Drama and GCSE Dance at the end of Year 9, and AS or A Level Drama and Theatre at the end of Year 11. We follow the AQA syllabus for both and pupils perform in both scripted and devised pieces, recording their rehearsals in a portfolio, watching live theatre, and studying contemporary and classical theatre texts.

By the very nature of Drama, pupils are stretched socially, emotionally and intellectually. School productions are cast by ability and provide acting and backstage opportunities which are essential in building self-confidence and developing theatrical skills. Acting Masterclasses and Dance Clubs stretch our most able and deepen their understanding of the subject, whilst theatre visits and educational tours to New York and Edinburgh provide opportunities to experience professional theatre, both as performers and audience members. Trinity Speech and Drama lessons as well as Arts Award certificates provide individual challenges whilst obtaining UCAS points.

Pupils who wish to study Drama or a related degree at university or who are auditioning for a place at drama school are well prepared with one-to-one coaching. Many pupils have gone on to successfully audition for drama schools and are now working as professional actors, designers and technicians.

Notable alumni with careers in the entertainment industry include Alan Yentob, Matthew Amroliwala, Fiona Laird, Jo Scotcher, Nicolas Le Moignan, Charlotte Le Moignan, Sarah Ovens, Jo Herbert, James Coghlan and Fiona Wilson.