MY BURFORD - MR BROOKES- HEAD OF DRAMA

My journey into teaching has been a long and winding road, but at its heart, it has always been about storytelling. I went to drama school and spent ten years as a scriptwriter for the BBC, always working in comedy and comedy-drama. One of my fondest memories is writing and having my shows performed at the Soho Theatre—a fantastic space in the heart of Soho. 

At Burford, I get to bring that love of storytelling and humour into the classroom. As Head of Drama, I oversee the curriculum and our school productions, ensuring students have opportunities to develop their confidence, creativity, and performance skills. I’ve always believed that drama should be accessible to everyone. My vision for the department is to create a space where students feel free to take creative risks, knowing they’ll be supported. Whether they want to act, direct, write, or simply try something new, drama should be a place where they can do that. I love seeing students surprise themselves—one minute, they’re nervous about stepping on stage, and the next, they’re delivering a performance with a confidence they never knew they had. 

I keep in touch with many ex-students, and one student from my last school went on to become a stage manager in London. When Mr. Warren and I took a group of Burford students to see her show in Hammersmith, we were late, and I frantically messaged my ex-student, who said she would hold the show until we got there—we were treated like royalty! Moments like that remind me of the many career paths drama can lead to—not just acting, but also stage management, directing, and production. 

One of the highlights of Dracula was involving students backstage and in operating the sound and lights, showing them that theatre is about more than just performing. I started writing the first draft of Dracula three years ago, shaping it into something that balanced horror with comedy. This was first performed as an hour-long show with Year 10 drama students in the drama studio in 2023. I then developed it into a full-length show for this year, adding several new scenes and original songs, which I wrote with a friend. The show was a huge success, with students performing to over 750 people over four nights, and I think the students involved had as much fun as the audience did. 

I believe school shows should be fun. Students already have a lot of pressure, and when they receive their first laugh on stage, you see them grow in confidence and ability. There’s an art to delivering comedy—it’s about timing, reading the room, and hearing the audience react. Seeing students learn how to handle that during a live show reminds me why I do this job. 

Burford School is a special place because it fosters creativity. It’s not just about ticking boxes; it’s about developing skills that will stay with students for life. The support here—for both staff and students—means we can take risks, try new things, and create something meaningful together. I believe all students should be offered the same opportunities, which is why I travel an hour to work every day—Burford does just that. 

Outside of school, I go to the theatre often and enjoy watching films. I also continue to write—it keeps me sharp and feeds back into my teaching. I’m also an avid football supporter of the greatest team in the land, and I still try to catch a game whenever I can. 

— D.Brookes