D.R.A.M.A SPECIALISTS
The Don Rae Academy of Movement & Arts (D.R.A.M.A) are now offering schools the opportunity to employ a specialist in the performing arts; whether it is solely drama, dance or music. Our aim is to integrate creativity, imagination and performance with national curricular topics which will enhance the students’ knowledge on both an academic and creative scale. Your specialist will have previous experience working with children of all ages, a current CRB check and professional experience working in the arts. The specialists are also covered under our public liability insurance.
How does it work?
Once the school is interested in employing a D.R.A.M.A specialist a meeting and trial workshop will be arranged. The decision maker will have the opportunity to meet the specialist and see him/her in action as he/she delivers a trial class for the students for the whole day. The specialist will then speak to the individual teachers to discuss the topics they wish to explore using drama/dance. In one school a year three class were studying the Romans in History and the teacher wanted to integrate this topic in Drama; the students re-enacted the life of Queen Boudicca using scripts and role play. Another example was a year one class looking at the Weather in Science; the children performed a weather dance exploring the different forms which they easily identified.
Once topics have been decided the specialist will plan the lessons for each class. Workshops will then commence on a weekly basis. Every half term the specialist will meet with the teachers to plan the classes and they will write up a detailed report for each class outlining what work the children have been doing. The specialist may be flexible with the lessons running alongside annual events (i.e. book week) cultural events (i.e. Chinese New Year, St. Patrick’s Day) historical events (i.e. VE Day, Black History Month) and novelty events (Comic Relief, Children in Need). Any ideas will be presented to the Head for approval.
By having a specialist on board you will have a member of staff who will be able to organise events and workshops. By working with D.R.A.M.A we will be able to offer you workshops like Chinese Dance, Irish Dance and Bollywood Dance at no extra cost. This would save you both time and money.
Contact D.R.A.M.A ---> Arrange a meeting/trial workshop ---> Discuss the topics with the teachers ---> Plan the lessons ---> 2nd meeting to confirm details ---> Specialist installed and classes start
What do the specialists do?
Your specialist will act as the creative leg of the school team delivering classes every week on an agreed day. Depending on the size of your school you can opt to have one day a week or more. Your specialist will also:
- Deliver after school drama/dance clubs
- Manage and direct all school performances such as the Christmas plays
- Arrange school trips to theatres and shows
- Organise school events like talent shows and fundraising
- Examine and assess the students’ creative skills and social development.
- Tie in festivals like Chinese New Year with the classes i.e. teaching Chinese dance
- Give constructive feedback to the individual teachers summarising what the classes have been doing at the end of each half term.
What happens in the class?
Dance, drama and music are subjects that are highly popular with students of all ages. The children will be working alongside topics they are studying in the classroom using dance, drama and music. This creative approach tackles many issues; developing social skills, building self-confidence and strengthening performance abilities. Classes will last for 45 minutes but times will vary according to the structure of the day. Timetables will be fixed at the initial meeting.
The students will be working on different exercises and games in drama exploring role play, improvisation and script reading. In dance they will be have a cultural insight in to the different dance genres focusing on choreography, performance and technicality. The classes will encourage team building and motivate physical education.
Benefits of having a specialist
- Experienced and professional specialist with a current CRB check and insurance
- Developing the students’ creative abilities
- Strengthening social skills and self confidence
- Encouraging health and fitness
- Encouraging team building and communication
- Alternative PPA cover for teaching staff
- Introducing fundraising, cultural and novelty events for the school
- Organising annual events such as the Christmas plays and Year 6 leavers’ assembly
- Managing the after school dance and drama clubs
For more information on our D.R.A.M.A specialists or to request a brochure please contact Don Rae on 020 8704 0786 or email info@donrae-arts.com You can visit us online www.donrae-arts.com
