Secondary Drama: A Creative Source Book: Practical Inspiration for Teachers

John Doona is an artist and a teacher of exceptional quality. He brings both artistic and human integrity to a wide range of drama work from the classroom to performance of the highest standards. His significant practice is firmly rooted in principle and knowledge of drama and children and young people. I recommend him to you as an exceptional and effective teacher and practitioner.

Professor Jonothan Neelands, University of Warwick, UK

What is a compelling scheme of work and how do I create one? What are the building blocks of Drama? How do I sustain interest and engagement? What is the purpose and impact of my daily work?

Providing inspiration for daily practice alongside a full range of tried and tested schemes of work, this exciting new book offers support to secondary teachers wanting to create original drama experiences to meet their own unique classroom needs.

The book models a positive and reflective approach to classroom practice offering a thoughtful exploration of the craft and art of drama teaching covering key issues such as classroom management, student engagement, planning, progression and assessment. After considering the theory behind drama in education and the fundamentals of practice, the majority of the text is devoted to the annotated schemes of work. These cover a diverse range of topics such as homelessness, addiction, terrorism and civil rights and show how the ideas discussed can be put into practice.

Featuring a Preface by Dorothy Heathcote and a Foreword by Edward Bond, this resource will be valuable reading for both new and established teachers looking to deliver excellent inspiring drama lessons across the secondary setting and become a vibrant and effective drama specialist.

John Doona is a qualified advanced skills teacher with a wide experience of primary and secondary drama practice, a visiting lecturer in drama at the University of Chester and a professional writer with dramatic work broadcast on Radio 4 and performed by the Royal Court Young People's Theatre and elsewhere. He is also the creator and director of the Children’s Shakespeare Festivals, a series of projects now in its sixth year.