London Drama, the Professional Association for teachers of drama and theatre in London, was originally formed in 1955 by teachers committed to the creative experience of educational drama and the school play. The Inner London Education Authority (ILEA), one of the pioneer LEA's developing Drama in Schools in the post-war period of educational development, took a lead role in setting up its Drama Advisory Team to develop drama in schools. Outer London Boroughs and, indeed, many metropolitan authorities and counties throughout the UK followed suit. Support in London and on a national scale was provided for drama, drama-in-education, theatre-in-education, and theatre arts, including the rapidly developing GCSE and A level courses.

When the ILEA was abolished in 1990 London Drama continued as an independent teacher organisation becoming a Company Limited by Guarantee (number 2570343) and a Charity (number 1001819).  

Based initially at the London Drama and Tape Centre in Holborn, then at Central School of Speech and Drama, Swiss Cottage, and now at Diorama Arts in Euston, London Drama has consistently provided active guidance and support for the continuing development of drama in schools in the challenging period since the National Curriculum was introduced. We campaigned actively (with National Drama) for Drama’s place in the National Curriculum, while continuing to maintain a full programme of drama INSET support for teachers in London and a book service for teachers in any part of the world. 

Local Management of Schools has meant schools developing their own organisation. We have been active in supporting:

• Primary Drama in relation to both creative learning and literacy and subject learning
• Secondary Drama in a variety of contexts: Classroom Drama, Drama in Performance, Drama and Theatre Studies.

We will continue actively to promote and develop Drama within the current curriculum changes that are being introduced and continue the tradition of stewardship and new initiatives to maintain and develop the network of drama teachers and theatre workers across the Capital. 

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