I am a freelance drama specialist, working mainly in educational contexts both nationally and internationally.

Drama in Education

Street Theatre in HexhamClick to see picture gallery

I run workshops in schools (Primary and Secondary) using the Mantle of the Expert approach, developed by Dorothy Heathcote, to teach all aspects of the curriculum. In Mantle of the Expert the pupils work in role as "adult experts" within a fictional scenario and are taught from within this context by the teacher in role.

I am part of the national team that has been set up by Luke Abbott (Senior Advisor Essex County Council) to train teachers in using Mantle of the Expert.

My recent work in this area includes the Maths department at Whitley Bay High School, North Tyneside, where have I worked with staff and students. There are also plans to work with the Science department.

In addition I have trained staff at St Ivo's School in Cambridgeshire, and they have subsequently been very successful in using the Mantle of the Expert approach to teach a Y9 Maths class. What follows is a sample of their responses:

The training day was invaluable in providing a practical and therefore memorable experience of Mantle of the Expert. All 13 members of staff left the day feeling inspired and empowered to give the Mantle a go. Having tried some of Jane's ideas out now, I know it really works, even with a middle set Year 9 maths class!

Staff of St Ivo's, Cambridgeshire

I think Drama and Maths work well together because it is a fun way of learning and helps us get used to using Maths outside the classroom.

Ellis, Year 9

I felt that we all worked as a team and we got a very good result out of it.

Gemma, Year 9

It was a push into reality. Some of the best maths lessons ever!

Josh, Year 9

Fun, amazing, great, enjoyable, exciting, exhilerating. It makes you look forward to your next maths lesson.

Michael, Year 9 Working with children in a South London schoolWorking with children in a South London school

I have also recently worked with staff and pupils at Amble Links First School, Northumberland, enabling them to develop a whole school approach using Mantle of the Expert.

I have run numerous professional development courses for teachers demonstrating how to use this method to teach, and I have also worked extensively in schools with young people and teachers, using this method to promote drugs awareness.

I teach part time at Northumbria University on the BA and PGCE ITT programmes.

If you want to make teaching and learning more enjoyable I can provide Staff Development on how to use Drama to teach all aspects of the curriculum, workshops for children and young people and training in Drama and Theatre skills.

Theatre Work

Since becoming a freelance worker I have worked on the following projects:

Publications