The Guidance for Drama

Drama is an art form, a practical activity and an intellectual discipline. Like the other arts it involves imagination and feelings and helps us to make sense of the world. It does this through the creation of imagined characters and situations, and the relationships and events they encounter.

Arts Council England says:
Direct engagement in drama is essential as part of an arts-rich curriculum that every pupil has a right to experience. Through it they become familiar with the cultures and conventions of theatre and learn to exercise critical judgement when making, performing and responding to drama of all kinds. (Drama in Schools second edition, Arts Council England - http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/documents/publications/725.pdf)

Guidance for teaching pupils gifted and talented in the arts.

This guidance was commissioned by the DfES, NESTA, DCMS amd Arts Council England in 2003. Written by experts in education and each specific art form, it provides teachers at all key stages with a valuable resource, demonstrating the importance of the arts in education and providing indicators for the identification and development of gifted and talented pupils. It is available as a word document to read here and is also available to download in acrobat reader.
School art: what's in it? Arts Council, Tate Galleries and NFER research project. See NFER Bookshop

Key organisations

• National association of youth theatres (http://www.nayt.org.uk/)
• National drama (http://www.nationaldrama.co.uk/)
• Royal National Theatre (http://www.creativegeneration.org.uk/teachers/www.nationaltheatre.org.uk)

Key events

National Drama international conference 11 - 13 April Winchester

See http://www.nationaldrama.co.uk/ for details.

Key awards

Key Awards
	The Dance & Drama Awards (Awards Link) Dance and Drama Awards are for students over the age of 16 who want to work in the performing arts. They're available from some of England's leading private dance and drama schools and they'll help you pay for a place on a prestigious and well-respected course, whatever your financial circumstances.
	Artsmark (http://www.artsmark.co.uk/) An Artsmark is awarded to schools who show a commitment to the full range of arts - music, dance, drama and art and design. It is a national award scheme and is managed by Arts Council England.
	Arts Award http://www.artsaward.org.uk/ This new award was launched in autumn 2005 by Arts Council England and DCMS. The Arts Award is the first award scheme to recognise the development of young artists and young arts leaders. It celebrates the creative progress made by young people and not just their artistic skill. The award is for young people aged 11 to 25. Particpants can choose their art form and make their own plans, including improving skills, seeing the work of other artists and running an arts project. Students share their work with other people by recording what they do. For more information and details of how to take part visit the website.