Speech and Drama

Speech and Drama lessons are open to all pupils from Prep 4 through to Godolphin Sixth, either solo or in pairs. These lessons are tailor-made to suit the requirements of each pupil and can include a mix of Acting, Verse-speaking, Voice Production, Public Speaking, Mime, Improvisation and related Theatre History. Most pupils take Speech and Drama exams, but this is by no means mandatory. Speech and Drama is a useful life skill, instilling confidence, with the emphasis being on enjoying exploring all aspects of acting, supporting curricular drama and school productions. We have a very wide range of resources, so every lesson is completely individual.

Speech and Drama was introduced to Godolphin in 1997, and Melanie Ferris (LTCL, LGSM) has taught thousands of pupils over the years, with excellent results – around a third of all exam candidates achieve Honours, similarly a large percentage achieve Distinctions. The preferred board is Vanguard examinations – an examiner visits the school three times a year. Pupils can also follow the Lamda syllabus, with similar success. There is audition preparation if required for National Youth Theatre, University and Drama School. In the Junior years, most pupils are taken out of class lessons on a rotation basis, so that any one subject would only be missed once a term, and more senior pupils are taught during lunchtimes and sessions.

Melanie has also run drama workshops, acted professionally in the past, and been involved with drama in one form or another since childhood. For further information, please contact her on ferrism@godolphin.org.