A Message from Rachel

Meet Rachel Berry, Founder of Imagination Education. Find out more about how the company was developed after years of performing and teaching experience.

Hi, I’m Rachel Berry, Founder of Imagination Education. I have been working with children for years and am extremely passionate about performing and teaching. You might be wondering what makes us different from all the other drama companies out there? After reading my story, you will see how years of experience in both theatre and education have brought about our specially devised workshops and theatre productions for primary aged children and how you can trust us to deliver a truly interactive, imaginative experience.

I started my career as an actress and trained in London specialising in Musical Theatre. I graduated from drama college with a BA (Hons) Degree in Performance and worked professionally for years, working in London’s West End and touring around the UK in musicals such as ‘Jerry Springer the Opera’ and Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’. I also enjoyed working as a concert soloist and sang across the world in countries such as America, New Zealand and Australia, to name but a few. I loved my job and loved performing.

Whilst working in theatre, I taught young children music and drama in schools and at after school clubs. During this time, I also enjoyed performing in children’s theatre productions, including educational theatre, something I found hugely rewarding. It was after these jobs I decided to further my knowledge in teaching and education and completed the Graduate Teacher Program (GTP) in Primary Education.

I made the decision to take a break from my performing career and enjoyed working full time as a Primary Teacher, gaining my Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), teaching Key Stage One and Two. When I moved to Dubai in 2009 I came over to work in a school as a Music Specialist where I taught music and singing to all classes from Nursery to Year 6. After two years working as a specialist and after teaching and specialising in Early Years music, I decided to move back into the classroom where I enjoyed teaching FS1 (Nursery/Pre-K). This move was a hugely rewarding one as I got to be creative in every aspect of the curriculum and it helped to strengthen my belief that play and making education fun are the best ways for children to learn. It was during this time that the ideas for Imagination Education came about and I started writing my workshops and shows.

Now I feel extremely fortunate that I can combine my two passions; education and performing. I understand what makes an outstanding lesson. I have been through both OFSTED and KHDA inspections and even now, strive to further my knowledge as part of my continuing professional development (CPD). I make sure we constantly evaluate our workshops, theatre shows and our teaching practise to ensure the schools and pupils we work with receive high quality lessons that will inspire and stay with them for years to come.

I truly believe that with an active imagination, anything is possible. Learning should be fun and should inspire every child. The lessons we learn as children stay with us forever and shape our attitude about school and learning for the rest of our academic life. Let Imagination Education bring a smile to your class by bringing the curriculum to life through play and make believe.

“I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.”
– Confuscious, Chinese Philosopher

We all use our imaginations everyday; we imagine our next holiday, fitting into that dress that’s a bit too small, getting that dream job, starting a new life abroad. Why not get your pupils to use their imaginations to enrich their learning experience? Make drama part of your curriculum today!

I look forward to meeting you and your pupils soon.

Best Wishes,
Rachel