CPD: Making the most of The Arts in your school.

Jenny Cameron is a working teacher in Gloucestershire, and has over 20 years of experience teaching in state secondary schools in England. During this time, she built Performing Arts departments in three schools in three very different locations and circumstances, in each case creating and sustaining very successful departments with excellent KS4 and KS5 results, and thriving extra-curricular provision. Students from each of these schools have gone on to forge careers in theatre, opera, Musical Theatre and film, both on stage and behind the scenes. Jenny has successfully completed the Outstanding Teacher Programme, and has been Head of Department for Drama and Performing Arts in schools for 15 years.  Jenny is a Specialist Leader in Education (Drama), and was shortlisted for the TES Arts and Drama Teacher or Team of the Year in 2016. In her role as SLE, Jenny has worked with Drama teachers in schools across Gloucestershire, and supports Performing Arts colleagues online all over the UK. She has extensive experience teaching across Key Stages 3-5, including teaching GCSE, A Level, and BTEC Level 2 and Level 3.

Jenny understands that, in the current educational climate, arts subjects, particularly drama, may be allocated to non-specialist teaching staff, and that timetable allocation for arts subjects may be reduced. Despite this, it is still possible for students to achieve to the highest possible standard across arts subjects, and, indeed, this is expected.

Jenny firmly believes that Performing Arts develop skills and qualities in students of all ages, that other school subjects cannot. She believes that participation in extra-curricular performing builds resilience, develops reciprocity, independence and self esteem, and gives students unforgettable experiences.

Jenny can offer personalised CPD in your school, at a time to suit you, or, for groups of teachers or teachers from a variety of schools, CPD sessions at a convenient school or at Stagedoor HQ in Cheltenham.

What can Stagedoor Learning offer?

CPD can be tailored to your needs. Popular choices include:

  • Designing and developing a Key Stage 3 curriculum.

    • We can help you to develop the most appropriate KS3 curriculum for your students, the teachers delivering the curriculum, and the specific needs of your timetable.
    • KS3 curriculum can be developed in line with your KS4 offering, to ensure that students are fully prepared for the next stage.
    • Develop a curriculum that ensures rapid progress for all students.

  • Drama teaching for non-specialists.

    • A practical introduction to teaching drama when it’s not your subject! Develop your confidence in planning and delivering practical lessons.
    • Develop strategies to manage your classroom from the moment students arrive.

  • Developing extra-curricular provision.

    • We can help you to find ways to fit extra-curricular provision around your timetable, your budget and the needs and interests of your students.

  • Mounting a school production.

    • Anything from how to start, how to plan and run rehearsals, tips on fund-raising and budgeting for your show.
    • Ideal for non-drama specialists or NQTs who would like to offer this life-changing experience to students of any age or ability.

Personalised CPD for you and your department

You tell us what you need, and we will tailor training to suit.

  • Are you concerned about students under-achieving, or worried about a member of your team?
  • We can come to you to watch a lesson, or part of a lesson, and then give advice, coach or mentor colleagues.
  • We can plan and run workshops for classes within the department, model lesson ideas, discuss activities with teachers and suggest different approaches.

Voice Skills for Teaching.

  • Do you find that your voice disappears half way through term 1? Do you have problems being heard at the back of the room? Does raising your voice to ask for quiet hurt? We can help.
  • Learn simple techniques for projecting and protecting your voice.
  • Develop good habits that will help you maintain vocal quality and health.
  • Ideal for ECTs.

BTEC Training.

Jenny Cameron is a particularly experienced BTEC teacher, having taught the various Level 2 and Level 3 Performing Arts specifications for over 12 years. Stagedoor can offer help with:

  • Developing schemes of work and assignments for both Level 2 and Level 3 Performing Arts, including:
    • Level 3 RQF specification
    • Level 3 QCF Specification
    • Level 1/2 NQF Specification
    • New Level 1/2 Tech Award
  • Verifying and checking assignment briefs, practical and written work before submission to SV.
  • How to create resources, how to develop practical work, how to mark practical work.

When many Performing Arts teachers are flying solo in their schools, an extra person to double check practical and written work against assessment criteria can make a huge difference.

Prices

CPD can be organised to suit you, and therefore prices will depend on what is needed.

Examples:

Curriculum Development –
2 hour planning and development meeting at your school, at a time to suit you – £120 +  travel
1 hour planning and development meeting at Stagedoor HQ, after school on a week day or on a Saturday morning – £55
30 minute phone call, at a time to suit you – £25

Practical Workshop CPD (Delivering Performing Arts for non-specialists, Vocal Skills) –
3 hour practical workshop for up to 10 teachers, at a venue and time to suit you,  plus resources – £90 per person + travel
1.5 hour practical workshop for up to 10 teachers, at Stagedoor HQ, after school on a week day or on a Saturday morning – £37.50 per person

Personalised CPD visit to your school –
£70  plus travel

Contact us

Contact Jenny Cameron at Stagedoor Learning to discuss your needs.

Email: stagedoorlearning@gmail.com

Phone: 07957 911968