Julie is a dynamic and creative Drama Teacher with over 25 years of experience inspiring students to explore the Performing Arts and is currently the Head of Performing Arts at Blacon High School in Chester, Cheshire. She is passionate about developing students' confidence, creativity, and critical thinking through drama, theatre, and performance. Julie is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment where all students can thrive and discover their full potential in the Arts.  She is actively involved in international arts-based research projects, mentoring ITT students in PGCE Secondary Drama placements and is a guest lecturer for PGCE and EdD programs.  Julie has directed over 20 school performances for the Shakespeare Schools Festival, in Manchester, Liverpool and on The Wirral and has worked alongside Julia Baird to bring school productions to the Cavern Club in Liverpool.  She works collaboratively with The University of Chester, Cheshire College South and West and Chester’s Storyhouse Theatre to enhance her students’ Arts experience, producing performances in a range of theatre styles.

Julie is an experienced moderator and examiner for Pearson, assessing the BTEC Tech Award in Performing Arts for both the Acting and Dance pathways in Production and in Performance and a judge for National Schools Youth Theatre.  Following the completion of the EdD program at the University of Chester Julie was awarded Doctor of Education in 2024.  She is currently working with National Drama to develop opportunities for engaging Secondary Teachers in arts-based research to inform practice.

Coming from an Anglo-Irish family Julie has had a passion for Drama and the theatre since early childhood.  The family home was filled with music, singing and dancing, with Julie competing in Irish Dancing competitions, playing the guitar and the violin, treading the boards with the local Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society, and appearing on Television’s We Want to Sing with Rod Hull and Emu in her school choir, all by the grand old age of 11.  Prior to her teaching career, Julie established a Youth Theatre at a British Army barracks in Hollywood, Northern Ireland to provide access to the Arts for the families of serving military personnel.  In addition to running Drama sessions for the families, there were opportunities to develop design skills and engage in Pantomimes, fashion shows, talent competitions and Musical Theatre Productions.  Julie established a network of support for families based across Northern Ireland, producing performances and arranging theatre trips.

Whilst an undergraduate at the University of Chester, Julie made her screen debut in the world of Soaps, appearing in early episodes of Hollyoaks.  She has worked extensively with Cheshire Police, incorporating Drama in their training programs, playing the victim, the suspect, the witness and the hostage in a range of scenarios to support the practical training of police officers in departments such as CID, Child Protection, the Drugs Squad and Rapid Intervention Teams.

I am honoured to serve as a patron for Drama Matters, an international community of artistic, passionate creatives who thrive through the strong network established by the incredible Tracy Dorrington.  Drama Matters is a lifeline to (often) single-person departments, offering not only support and information, but also praise and recognition for those on the front line of the constant battle we face in the Arts.  Drama Matters opens the door to a world of creative networking opportunities, bringing teachers and practitioners together to develop inspirational and artistic ways of working together.  CPD is free and consists of a plethora of topics, themes and ideas, available online, in the magazine and at the Networking Weekend.  The annual Drama Matters Networking Weekend is a fabulous celebration of everything Drama, bringing teachers and industry professionals together in a jam-packed 3-day event of FREE CPD, networking opportunities and a wonderful fancy dress ball.

Drama matters because it supports the mental health and wellbeing of our young people, emancipating their voices and enabling them to explore the world and their identity in the safe spaces Drama teachers provide.

Drama Matters is more than a networking group – it is a supportive community, where the Arts are valued, where Drama is valued, where YOU are valued.  Drama Matters is an extended family, one I am proud to be a patron of.