What do you love most about teaching Drama?

I love having a job that is different every day because the work the students produce is always unique. Being able to work with young people, especially such a fantastic bunch of students like we have at Tormead, is a joy as well. – Mr Campbell

Endless possibilities, when creating new performances. – Mrs Annetts

Giving my students the space to explore their creativity, develop their self-confidence, and surprise themselves with what they can achieve. Drama underpins so many skills that are used both in the classroom and in the wider world, and I love the sense of freedom you can find on a stage. – Miss Hinchliffe

Who or what inspired you to pursue a career in teaching Drama? 

When I first decided to qualify, I was still not sure about teaching as a full career but my PGCE mentor was a Head of Drama called Gill McNeil. She wore all black every day and was simply incredible. Working in an inner London school, she showed me how Drama can really make a difference to young people’s lives and wellbeing. – Mr Campbell

My A-Level teacher, Mr Craige inspired me to challenge others to become their best selves through drama – even if they never wanted to be on a stage.  – Mrs Annetts

I’ve had lots of inspirations in life that have led me to where I am now. I had some really fun Drama teachers when I was growing up, and also an incredible director of a youth theatre that I was a part of. – Miss Hinchliffe

If you hadn’t gotten into teaching Drama, what would you be doing now?

I would have loved to be a football manager (I run a youth team at the weekend) but when I was younger there were less opportunities to become a football coach. With my teaching experience and dealing with dramatic people, I reckon I could do a better job of managing the more challenging player behaviour in football now than some of the current Premier League managers. – Mr Campbell

Outside of Drama teaching there are a million things I would love to do and that’s no exaggeration! One of them is directing full time, and as Director in Residence at Tormead, that’s not far off! I recently started my floristry business, which is another career I’ve always been interested in. – Miss Hinchliffe

Share the best piece of advice you’ve ever received:

The theatre director Dominic Dromgoole once said, ‘A director is more like a coach to an athlete, than a teacher to a student.’ I have always tried to abide by this ethos when directing productions. – Mr Campbell

“Mistakes are just the proof you’re trying.” – Mrs Annetts

If you had a magic wand, what show would you do next?

A lot of girls at Tormead would love to do ‘Mamma Mia’ or ‘Mean Girls – the Musical’. – Mr Campbell

Wicked. – Mrs Annetts

Hamilton would be the dream! – Miss Hinchliffe