‘Good theatre draws the energies out of the place where it is and gives it back as joie de vivre.’ 

Joan Littlewood        

Drama is a vibrant and valued part of life at Ditcham Park School, with pupils’ creative journeys beginning from the very start of their education. In Key Stage 1, children are introduced to the joy of performance through fun and engaging lessons led by our specialist LAMDA teacher, Jenny De Jongh.

As pupils move into the Upper Juniors, Drama is taught by Head of Juniors, Pippa Probert, with weekly lessons that continue to build confidence, creativity, and collaboration.

In the Senior School, Drama is led by Mrs Baker, Head of Drama, who guides students through increasingly challenging and rewarding work. All pupils take part in weekly lessons until they make their GCSE choices at the end of Year 8. GCSE Drama is one of the most popular subjects at Ditcham, supported by a dynamic programme of co-curricular opportunities including:

• Year 7 Drama Club
  Theatre trips
  Workshops with visiting theatre companies
  Whole-school productions
  Each year, we also take part in the Shakespeare for Schools Festival, giving students the chance to perform in a professional theatre in front of a live audience — a truly memorable experience for all involved.

Our commitment to the performing arts extends beyond the classroom. The Bronze Arts Award, a nationally recognised qualification, is offered as part of our Period 6 club rotation. Through this, students develop their own creative skills, explore the arts world, and build a personal portfolio that documents their journey — from attending performances to researching artists and sharing their own expertise. This is a highly popular enrichment option among our pupils.

Within the GCSE curriculum, students grow as actors, directors, and designers, taking part in a wide variety of both scripted and devised projects. Lessons are practical and engaging, but also develop pupils’ ability to reflect and communicate their understanding in writing. The Drama Department supports learners of all abilities and works closely with the Art, Music, and English departments to provide a rich, cross-curricular experience.