Drama and Performance

Drama is a subject which helps to build students’ confidence and presentation skills.

The enthusiasm demonstrated within the department helps to foster a creative and explorative working atmosphere where students are free to develop their ideas in a safe and supportive environment.

Outside of the curriculum, the school runs a thriving Teesside High School Youth Theatre (TYT) where students from all year groups work together on a range of activities. TYT often contributes to Open Day workshops, showcasing individual and group talents to prospective families and the local community. Each year, we stage a school production; students have recently performed Into The Woods, Matilda and We Will Rock You to a busy Main Hall audience, over two evenings in the spring term.

Students achieve and pass personal milestones all of the time. This might be a personal success in overcoming shyness to perform in front of the class or taking on a leading role in the school play. Speakers and practitioners are invited into school to work with students to widen their awareness and develop their practical skills, which are then further enhanced by regular theatre visits. There are also opportunities for students to assist backstage in sound, set design, make up and music.

Speech and Drama lessons are available privately so that students have the opportunity to undertake examinations in the performance of verse, prose and drama for personal achievement. We have an excellent track record of results in these LAMDA examinations – read more here.

“Drama has a high profile, with posters and displays highlighting previous productions of the Teesside High Youth Theatre, including Matilda, Into the Woods and Oliver, with casts and crew drawn from all year groups. House drama provides further opportunities. Students speak enthusiastically about their performances and how inclusive the drama is, with tech and behind the scenes input for the less thespian.”

Good Schools Guide, 2023