Conference Overview
National Drama is excited to be returning to the Conference circuit in this, our year of advocacy. Our Self-Advocacy for Drama Teachers Conference offers secondary teachers and all those involved in the Drama Education field an opportunity to come together in person over two days to explore ways we can all be subject champions for Drama learning. Our two day conference is packed with contributions from many of National Drama’s Friends and Partners. Workshops to support upskilling of teachers will be led by industry professionals including Frantic Assembly, Vamos Theatre and Vita Nova. Keynotes will be presented on the importance of the KS3 curriculum and Diversity, Equality & Inclusion in the Drama classroom. Performances and panel discussions focused around the power of partnerships will see our friends from the DTEA, NATD, London Drama, Open Drama, We Teach Drama and more join us for a truly collaborative conference. All our sessions will centre around our Year of Advocacy aims. Further details will follow.
Conference Schedule
Subject to some change as delegate numbers and sessions leaders are established.
Thursday, 30th May
| Time | Activity |
| 4:00-5:30pm | Welcome, Arrival and Registration |
| 6:15-7:00pm | Opening Reception – Welcome drinks & hot fork buffet |
| 7:00-7:45pm | IMAGINING CHANGE – A Year of Advocacy Conference introduction Table discussions exploring – The Importance of Drama in Schools – The challenges facing Drama in Schools – How can we be advocates for Drama in schools? |
| 7:45-8:30pm | Performance and discussion with students from Coombe Boys’ School |
| 8:30-9:30pm | Performance of The Wasp by Vita Nova |
| 9:30pm | Bar & Social Time |
Friday, 31st May
| Time | Activity |
| 8:00-9:00am | Breakfast |
| 9:15-9.45am | Keynote: The importance of the KS3 Drama Curriculum ADVOCACY STRAND: Drama as a National Curriculum Foundation Subject led by Matthew Milburn (Chair, NATD) |
| 9:45-11:15am | Practical Workshops ADVOCACY STRAND: Drama as a National Curriculum Foundation Subject Choice of workshops on bringing your KS3 Drama curriculum to life: a. Bringing Shakespeare to life at KS3 b. An Introduction to Masks at KS3 (led by Vamos Theatre) c. Devising at KS3 (led by Frantic Assembly) |
| 11:15-11:30am | Tea, coffee, biscuits |
| 11:30-12:30pm | Keynote: Diversity, Equality & Inclusion and How Drama can be a Tool for Inclusive and Diverse Practice ADVOCACY STRAND: Being a subject champion |
| 12:30-1:30pm | Practical Workshops ADVOCACY STRAND: Self Advocacy for Teachers of Drama Carousel of workshops on championing your subject: a. From surviving to thriving as a one person Drama Department b. Raising the Profile of Drama in your school: recruitment, parental engagement governors and communication c. Mentoring: supporting non-specialists, ECTs & Mentors |
| 1:30-2:30pm | Lunch – Chefs Choice lunch buffet |
| 2:30-3:00pm | Keynote on Collaboration ADVOCACY STRAND: The Power of Partnership and Collaboration led by Geoff Readman (Chair, National Drama) |
| 3:00-3:45pm | Panel Discussion How can we collaborate and work in partnership to achieve our aims? Contributions from – National Drama – DTEA – NATD – London Drama – Open Drama – We Teach Drama – Youth Voice |
| 3:45-4:00pm | Afternoon tea, coffee, biscuits |
| 4:00-4:30pm | Imagining Change – Conference Conclusions |
Accommodation
One night’s accommodation is included in the conference price and is on site in our venue at the Bromsgrove Hotel & Spa, Birmingham. Further details of the venue can be found here: https://www.britanniahotels.com/hotels/bromsgrove-hotel. Use of the hotel spa and free parking is included in the conference package.
Booking
Fees:
Regular Fee: £175
Early Bird Fee (available to 29th February) only £145!
The fee includes overnight accommodation, food and all workshop sessions.
We are unable to refund cancelled places within 30 days of the event.
ND Members Discount:
National Drama members apply to conference@nationaldrama.org.uk to secure the promo code for member discounts on all tickets.
Advertising
If you are a Drama/Theatre related commercial company we would like to invite you to take up one of our special conference promotional packages below.
Silver – £50
This package offers you the opportunity to insert your advertising materials directly into the conference packs of delegates.
Gold – £100
Advertising materials in the conference packs and an unrepresented display stand.
Platinum – £300
This package offers the opportunity to have your representative and display stand at the event, to insert your materials into the conference packs, and an invitation to the Celebration Dinner and evening event.
Diamond – £500
Sponsor the Conference and enjoy all the perks of Platinum, with individual National Drama membership for a year and an advert in one edition of National Drama’s magazine Drama.
If you would like to take advantage of any of these opportunities to promote your goods or services, please email: conference@nationaldrama.org.uk
