About us Contacts Site Map ©Northwest Drama Services Ltd Registered in England And Wales, Registration Number: 6852812
Work with Secondary Schools
There are four strands to our work with secondary schools:
We have a wide experience of the work of secondary schools. Our director, John Doona was a secondary teacher for fifteen years; as a classroom teacher, an Advanced Skills Teacher, a Head of Department and a Co-Director of Specialism at SLT level. From here he became a local authority subject adviser and was responsible, amongst other things, for monitoring and developing the achievement of all LA secondaries at KS4 in his specialist subject. He was also a presenter and tutor with the Specialist Schools and Academies’ Trust.
It is important that people coming into secondaries have a real understanding of and respect for the work of the school; that they understand the trials and tribulations, the realities and stresses of the sector.
We are able to offer all of this as well as inspiration and fresh ideas.
Our work with secondaries is grounded, practical and focused on your individual needs.
Follow these links to find out more:
Ring John Doona on 07746 554237 to discuss your requirements.
Development Work with Departments
Sometimes it just takes a fresh pair of eyes to lift the work of a department.
We offer a range of approaches including coaching, curriculum reviews, sounding-board consultations and professional conversations.
At the same time, our experience of the field means we can also offer very focused and practical advice; ideas for the Drama curriculum, approaches to classroom management, managing a whole school initiative, even writing an original school play!
Whether your staff are recently-qualified or long-in-the-tooth, we can offer the support and specialist input that will drive your Department forward.
The advisory service you once had or only ever dreamt of!
Get in touch to discuss your situation.
Call John Doona on 07746 554237
Much of our experience has taken us into the the area of Staff Training and Development. This has included large-scale LA-wide events to launch a Children’s Services Department and smaller scale, but equally significant whole school development work on curriculum development.
Our particular areas of interest are:
- Creativity and developing a creative curriculum
- Active Strategies for Learning
- Deep Learning through Imaginative Engagement
- Teaching as Performance; the actor’s skills in the classroom
We are also happy to discuss your own needs.
Over the years we have developed a real expertise in delivering high-impact staff and student residentials.
From huge Arts Council-funded inter-school Festivals of Theatre with Dorothy Heathcote and Edward Bond, to courses focused on GCSE achievement - launching the practical and devising elements of the Drama syllabus.
We have strong links with the best residential centres around and will help you to create a memorable and focused event.
We will work with you in the planning and preparation of your event, helping to make the practical arrangements (bookings, coaches, etc) and in the creation of a stimulating drama event that will lift your student’s work onto a new level of achievement.
To discuss your requirements please give John Doona a call on 07746 554237. Or email him from here.
The secondary drama classroom is our natural home. Over fifteen years as a drama specialist we have developed a compelling approach which earned a reputation for dynamism and excellence in some of Manchester’s more challenging teaching situations. OFSTED referred to John Doona’s classroom as containing “A steel ring of discipline”. The AST assessor reportedly called the lessons he had seen, “..some of the best teaching I have ever seen”. Jonothan Neelands has said, “John Doona is an artist and teacher of exceptional quality. I recommend him to you.”
We have ready-to-go workshops and schemes which might launch your GCSE or BTEC practical work. Alternatively, we look forward to working alongside you to create exceptional experiences for your students.
We look forward to hearing from you.
