INSET with David Farmer

As well as running courses in London, David Farmer offers INSET to all primary schools across the UK, including whole-school training days and twilight sessions. He also presents workshops in schools and conferences abroad - including Portugal and Switzerland. He is a recommended tutor by the Independent Association of Prep Schools.

A typical CPD session introduces teaching staff to a range of drama strategies, games and approaches which can be used to boost literacy and to create interactive learning opportunities across the curriculum. An opportunity is also given for staff to discuss and try out approaches linked to their current and upcoming topics and themes. The staff training day can easily be tailored to the requirements of the school.

David says: "In January 2012 I ran a whole-day INSET training course for teachers and teaching assistants at St John's Primary School in Bethnal Green, London. I delivered the session to around 25 participants and we began by looking at how and why drama can be used to teach across the curriculum, following on with some fun drama games. I demonstrated a range of drama strategies based on the new version of the Evacuees lesson in Learning Through Drama, including the technique of Open and Close which went down particularly well."

"After lunch we used fairy stories as a way into looking at role play and Teacher in Role. Each member of staff selected a character from a fairy story, as well as a problem faced by that character - and then introduced themselves in role to other characters. Teacher in Role proved to be not as difficult as some teachers may think! We explored how paintings and photographs of people can be used as a way into improvisation and a new adaptation of still images I have come up with called Picture Wizards for exploring a story for younger children."

Booking David to visit your school can be a very cost-effective way of training staff.

For further details or an outline of a typical day or twilight session, contact David Farmer on 01603 465973 / 0797 321 7876 or by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

For further details or an outline of a typical day or twilight session, contact David Farmer on 01603 465973 / 0797 321 7876 or by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Comments by teaching staff at a recent training day (January 2012) at St John's Primary School, Bethnal Green, London can be seen below.