Teaching the teachers a new experience

It's holiday time at Dearne High School in Goldthorpe near Barnsley but not for young drama teacher Kate Mason.

Kate, 23, has just completed a stint of work experience at Sheffield Theatres aimed at improving her knowledge and broadening her experiences.

She's one of many teachers across the region who are polishing up their skils and finding there's nothing better than getting their hands dirty out into the workplace.

Kate graduated from a drama degree a couple of years ago and landed her first job at her old school at the tender age of 21.

She's studying to become a teacher 'on the job' and knows only too well the importance of work experience.

"I worked here as a learning assistant for a year before getting on the Graduate Teacher Programme," explains Kate, who lives with her boyfriend in nearby Thurnscoe and will study for a further year before fully qualifying.

"I'll be teaching 11 to 14-year-olds and I hope I can pass on some of my recent experiences.

"I jumped at the opportunity to spend some time at the Crucible and Lyceum in Sheffield. I met producers and directors and found it really inspiring. I came away with so many ideas.

"Schools are always looking at ways of raising achievements, of boys in particular, and I've got some great ideas to take back to the classroom."

In the tough former mining villages surrounding Dearne High School drama hasn't always been high on pupils' agendas.

"This is a traditional working class area and perhaps in the past pupils haven't been encouraged to express themselves.

"But these days they're so eager to try things and I just want to be someone who can encourage them."

Kate, whose discovered her own passion for drama while studying at Dearne High School, believes drama is vitally important especially in the modern age.

"Because of information technology, MSN and email, people are struggling to communicate effectively. Through drama you are going back to old ways of working. It's also about building self esteem and allowing children to realise that through drama it's okay to express themselves.

"I learned a lot about the industry while I was at Sheffield Theatres and I learned about projects the school can get involved with. If everyone learns as much as I did then it's worth every teacher considering professional development and signing up for work experience."