There are not enough teachers at key stages 1 and 2 with the proper training to deliver drama, particularly since the retrenchment of support teachers and the advisory service. “There is an anxiety among teachers because they don’t know how to do it, exacerbated by School Curriculum and Assessment Authority not producing non-statutory guidance,” says Pam Bowell, drama lecturer and vice-chair of National Drama.
At secondary level, there are schools where shortages of specialist drama teachers have led to primary-trained teachers who have specialised in drama and English taking on secondary-school positions. One possible reason for the shortages is the paucity of courses available for specialist secondary drama teacher trainees. Another is cost.
