Last week our trainees enjoyed an inspiring session on classroom presence and motivating pupils as part of their Intensive Training and Practice (ITaP) training. The session was led by Billy Herring, an experienced drama teacher and professional actor.
Drawing on his wealth of classroom and stage experience, Billy shared practical strategies for using voice, body language and presence to command attention and create a positive climate for learning. Trainees explored how performance techniques can support confident teaching and how small changes in delivery can have a big impact on pupil motivation.
The session was interactive and hands-on, giving everyone the chance to practise approaches in a supportive environment. One trainee reflected: “It really opened my eyes to how much presence matters – I feel more confident about projecting myself in the classroom.” Another added: “The activities helped me think about how to motivate pupils by making lessons more engaging and dynamic.”
This training is an important part of our programme’s commitment to developing not just subject knowledge and pedagogy, but also the professional presence and confidence that enable teachers to inspire and manage their classes effectively.
