Information for Teachers
Andrew Abery
The approach to all our courses offer a practical exploration of a set genre, period or practitioner of theatre and can be linked back to GCSE and A Level Drama, Performing Arts and Theatre Studies. They offer a challenging scheme of work for able students who have completed at least one year of GCSE Drama (or equivalent such as BTEC) by the time of the course. This usually means that Year 10 students are eligible to apply as are Year 11-Year 13.
The course run in a four year rotation covering one of the following:
- Physical Theatre
- Brecht & Epic Theatre
- Classical Greek Theatre
- English Restoration Comedy
As ever, the students will combine their experience on the course and use their skillbase to produce a polished piece of theatre which will performed at the end of the week.
What are the benefits of attending Ufton Drama Summer School for student development?
All of our courses offer a challenging scheme of work for able students which links well to GCSE and A Level Drama, Performing Arts and Theatre Studies. As well as providing an excellent practical experience of learning a new style, genre or period of theatre development and history, students also benefit from working with a range of other young adults from different backgrounds ages and experiences.
The courses are designed for students who would like to develop their acting skills and we provide an intensive week of specialist teaching delivered in a workshop style environment. The work students undertake on the course provides excellent practical experience of four specific styles, genres and periods in theatre development and history. The summer school also affords valuable insight into social, cultural and historical contexts of each of these period and styles, meaning students leave with a firm synoptic understanding of the subject of each course. As well as being a highly practical programme, this aspect of the Summer School means our courses are an excellent support to current Drama and Performing Arts examinations studied in schools. They are also an ideal preparation for students who are going on to study Drama, Theatre and the Performing arts at a higher-educational level including University Degrees and Drama School.
The Ufton Drama Summer School is a valuable learning experience for students that not only helps them improve their performance skills but also helps to develop leadership and teamwork. Our students greatly benefit from working with a range of young adults from different backgrounds, ages and experiences. We know from experience and student feedback that the summer school is also helpful for boosting self-confidence and improving social skills and so stands to benefit your students in their broader personal development as well.
Ufton Court
The course is a 7-day residential that is held in the fabulous location of Ufton Court near Reading in Berkshire. The Grade I listed building is a perfect venue for our courses and offers plenty of indoor and outdoor practical working spaces as well as offering a performance space in the restored Medieval Tithe Barn.
The Staff
We run courses with six members of staff which currently consists of Ron Price, Peter Ging and George Ring (all three of whom are professional drama teachers although Ron has since retired) and three other tutors. Scott Cairns, our course manager, has been working with the organisation for over 25 years and is an experienced technical liaison. Emma Gilbey is a professional actor and holds an MA in Acting. Brad Welch is our latest addition to the team and he is a performer and student who is currently studying for his MA in Advanced Theatre Practice at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.
Further Development Opportunities
We also run our courses with one or two interns who are usually selected from our alumni and offer them a chance to further extend their skills and to experience the practical aspect of delivering the course. This has been a new extension for our offering and allows us to help further develop the skills we can provide to students. So far, our interns have all gone on to teaching careers and have cited their experience of the course as being helpful, not only in securing the PGCE courses they wanted but, in helping them prepare for a career in teaching.