The place of The Arts and Drama in schools and more broadly in the community is almost continuously under threat. Research continues to demonstrate the critical role of the Arts for our humanity as well as its potential role in transforming learning and improving student engagement, empathy and learning outcomes. Despite this, the Drama continue to fight for their rightful place in the lives and education of all young people. In 2017 the Scottish Children’s Parliament conducted workshops with children across the country to formulate a report about children’s views of learning and school. The report was titled “School should be a joyful place” and reminds us that schools should be fun, supportive and interesting. However, today we see a push to increase rankings in standardised tests including PISA, an overemphasis on narrow literacy and numeracy testing, a limited and reductive focus on 21st Century skills and knowledge such as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) that too often exclude The Arts. The role of The Arts in developing academic and non-academic aspects of children are often ignored. This presentation aims to share key arguments and research that we can use to advocate for Drama and The Arts in our schools from the economic outcomes of the arts industry through to the impact The Arts can have on student academic achievement and well-being.

Dr John Nicholas Saunders is a leading figure in Drama Education in Australia. Initially a drama teacher, John has worked as a teacher, teaching artist and head of department in schools. John is currently the Acting Drama Curriculum Coordinator at Ambrose Treacy College, Brisbane and teaches in Drama Curriculum at Griffith University. Prior to this, John was Director of Education & Community Partnerships at Sydney Theatre Company. He is currently the President of Drama Australia and Chair of the National Advocates for Arts Education (NAAE) where we advocate for high quality drama and arts education at a national level.

TEACHING STANDARDS