Train to teach in
Drama

PGCE Drama

Leeds SCITT offers a PGCE Drama course with a difference: we aim to get trainee teachers into the classroom quickly to learn with a ‘hands-on’ approach and to become experienced practitioners. The course offers a unique opportunity for student teachers to develop their experience in dynamic and supportive school environments, whilst allowing them to establish their own style of imaginative and practical teaching practice.

Why join Leeds SCITT for your PGCE Drama Teacher Training?

Leeds SCITT (School Centred Initial Teacher Training) is an exciting and innovative training provider that offers the Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) for aspiring educators.

Our Postgraduate Teacher Training courses help to provide the highest quality of teaching and learning, ensuring that a successful candidate has the practical skills, classroom practice and subject knowledge necessary to become an effective teacher of secondary drama.

PGCE Secondary Drama students will be working with a dedicated team of subject specialists who will provide them with the training and support necessary to develop into excellent teachers. In your Lead School Experience, you will be introduced to a range of practical, research-informed strategies to help you to understand how best to teach your subject and support students in their learning.

Professional Development through School-Based Training

The experience of the secondary school environment will provide you with the opportunity to develop your confidence in working with students and understanding how they learn.

You will be working with practising secondary school teachers and leaders, who will help you to progress and develop your skills. As you progress throughout the course, you will gain experience and begin to implement the practical ideas that you learn in your Subject Lead Tutor sessions. You will also learn how to adapt these to fit your specific school context, as well as to the needs of your learners. You will gradually be taking more ownership and initiative on your placements with practical sessions and classroom-based learning. This hands-on approach will benefit you greatly when applying for future teaching posts.

How will I become a confident Drama teacher? 

As a trainee in Drama at our placement schools, you will develop skills and experiences that enable you to work in a proactive role in building pupils’ confidence in their own abilities. We will train and equip you to be at the forefront of developments within Drama teaching, enhancing your subject knowledge and understanding.

Successful completion of your PGCE Drama course will leave you with excellent career prospects and importantly the confidence to step into secondary schools or other teaching environments to undertake your first teaching post.

Improving Your Subject Knowledge and Skill Set

We will offer you the support, and provide you with the knowledge and skill set to handle an ambitious curriculum, in an art form that engages and motivates pupils.

Successful candidates will gain experience in a range of dramatic styles and a variety of examination specifications and will build on their existing skills to start their careers as teachers of this unique and powerful subject.

Due to its smaller size cohort compared to many other Drama ITT courses, Leeds SCITT can offer a more dynamic and personalised training experience.  Trainees are nurtured and given the best tools to ensure they reach their full potential.

You will be supported to plan and differentiate effectively so that you can make a significant difference to pupils’ learning, allowing them to hone their talents and to progress. You will have the opportunity to teach in purpose-built facilities equipped to a very high standard with technical support.

From the Drama ITT School Lead Tutor

If you are passionate about developing the next generation of young performers and willing to adapt and show commitment to working with a team of experienced teachers, we would love to hear from you. You will be welcomed into our lively department where we take pride in the supportive Leeds SCITT course structure and will guide you to help pupils thrive with creativity and create quality pieces of performance which they can be proud of sharing.

What does the Lead School Experience offer Student Drama Teachers?

Cockburn School, our Lead School for Drama, was rated Outstanding by OFSTED in 2022. The Drama curriculum at Cockburn School is regularly evaluated to remain up to date with professional developments and current art-specific teaching approaches. Cockburn School and the Leeds SCITT programme are committed to ensuring the very best for the future of Drama Education, by training dynamic teachers who are excited to join the profession and driven to deliver lessons that captivate their students.

Cockburn School’s provision in the arts has been awarded Artsmark Platinum status in recognition of the school’s commitment to, and excellence in, arts education. Artsmark is Arts Council England’s award recognising excellence in cultural education. It celebrates schools’ commitment to embracing arts across the curriculum and bringing creative learning to life for children and young people. 

Additional Secondary Schools Placement

In addition to your Lead School placement, you can be placed with other partnership schools to give you at least two contrasting secondary education placements. Having access to a wider range of partner schools helps teaching staff to develop a variety of skills and teaching strategies.

What other opportunities are available in our Placement Schools?

• Outstanding Performing Arts School
• Working with a film company who film our school shows
• Projects with ITV and Channel 4
• Trips to London theatres
• Professional theatre workshops
• Experience with National Theatre Connections (a nationwide theatre festival)
• Teaching and facilitating shows in a full-scale, working theatre

Tuition Fees

The course fees for Leeds SCITT PGCE course (including QTS and 60 masters credits) for the academic year 2023-24 is £9,250. Bursaries and Scholarships are available for some students https://www.leedsscitt.org.uk/how-to-apply/#finance-ske-information

Entry Requirements

For this Postgraduate Certificate in Education Course you need to hold an undergraduate degree awarded by a higher education provider in England and Wales and GCSE grade C or 4 and above (or equivalent) in Maths and English. For further information go to https://www.leedsscitt.org.uk/how-to-apply/.

International Students

For further advice and information for overseas students and entry requirements for PGCE Courses please go to https://www.enic.org.uk/Qualifications/SOC/Default.aspx.