Why do kids study drama and why does it get so many hours in the Curriculum

[AllotmentMum]

There are lots of things about today's secondary schools that this old grammar school girl doesn't understand. DD's Year 8 timetable is one of them. Can anyone explain to me the point of drama, and why it gets more classroom time that English, maths or science, and more than twice the hours given over to both modern languages combined. Any teachers out there who can bring me up to date?

Open Minds? Competence themes? What a load of tosh.

Well, you've all helped me to reach a conclusion of some sort, and I have booked an appointment at the open evening of the not-so-local-grammar-schooltomorrow to discuss a Year 9 transfer. DD has even agreed to come too! Its over subscribed, so I won't get too excited, but if it goes well tomorrow I'll be posting for advice on what would be the most convincing argument to put on my transfer form. Fingers crossed!

Hope it all works out for you both.