The Secret of Bare Feet
To him, the value of drama stretches far beyond performance.“I often tell students that even if they don’t take drama at GCSE or A-Level, it might still be the most practical class they’ve ever taken. Confidence, communication, listening, leadership—these are skills they’ll use in interviews, presentations, or teamwork.”
From Stage to Podium
When asked why he chose to become a drama teacher, there’s almost no hesitation. “I loved performing, singing, and dancing from a young age. I just wanted to find a way to be around drama every day.”
As a teenager, he became a drama assistant at a primary school through the Duke of Edinburgh Award program. Those six months revealed the joy of teaching. “What I love most is that moment when a student suddenly understands something—their eyes light up like a bulb.” That pure, immediate sense of accomplishment cemented his decision to turn his passion into a profession.
When asked why he chose to become a drama teacher, there’s almost no hesitation. “I loved performing, singing, and dancing from a young age. I just wanted to find a way to be around drama every day.”
As a teenager, he became a drama assistant at a primary school through the Duke of Edinburgh Award program. Those six months revealed the joy of teaching. “What I love most is that moment when a student suddenly understands something—their eyes light up like a bulb.” That pure, immediate sense of accomplishment cemented his decision to turn his passion into a profession.
To him, the value of drama stretches far beyond performance.“I often tell students that even if they don’t take drama at GCSE or A-Level, it might still be the most practical class they’ve ever taken. Confidence, communication, listening, leadership—these are skills they’ll use in interviews, presentations, or teamwork.”
He admits he’s not aiming to produce 25 “mini Leonardo DiCaprios.” “I want my students to leave here as confident, complete people—not just skilled performers.”
“If you’re laughing, you’re learning.” That’s a favorite saying of his. For him, class should always be fun.“I often play the most exaggerated, ridiculous roles. When students see their teacher willing to make a fool of himself, they’re more willing to take risks.” He emphasizes that building confidence in shy students is a gradual process, not a one-lesson miracle.
He recalls one particularly memorable student. On arrival, the child was so shy that he could hardly communicate in English. The teacher invented a system of gestures and actions to communicate. Gradually, the student found his own way to express himself. By the end of the term, he was confidently performing on stage. “From the start of the year to the end, he completely transformed,” he recalls proudly.
This year, the school’s drama productions are already underway. The middle school will perform the classic musical You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.“It’s a warm story about Charlie Brown learning to accept himself with the support of friends. I think it resonates with students’ own journeys of growth,” he says.
The CCA will also present smaller performances during Open Days and school events. Students aren’t just rehearsing plays—they’re experiencing a more professional process: learning how to audition, how to communicate within a team. These are skills they will carry with them wherever they go.
Beyond teaching, he has slowly adapted to life here. “Honestly, I’m not great with spicy food, but I’ve become obsessed with it,” he laughs, sharing that he once brought Sichuan peppercorns back to the UK for friends—and they still ask him to send more.
In his eyes, the warmth and helpfulness of people mirrors the support and cooperation emphasized in drama. “I used to think drama was about bringing classroom lessons into life, but I’ve realized it works the other way too—the culture around us inspires what happens in class.”
At the end of the interview, we asked him what message he most wanted to leave for his students. After a moment of reflection, he said, “Take a risk. Dare to try. Even if it feels strange or uncomfortable at first, step out of your comfort zone.”
He then shared a story: a British boy with no prior acting experience was discovered by a production team after three years of school drama classes. He went on to pursue a professional career and even won an Emmy. “None of this would have happened if he hadn’t taken that first step,” he reflected.
This spirit of “daring to try” is closely intertwined with KCS’s core values. Here, students find courage through care and respect, and direction through responsibility and collaboration . It is precisely this atmosphere that allows every small step to become a turning point in their growth, opening the stage for their own journeys.
