The STSD was established soon after the Second World War from the amalgamation of two much earlier Associations formed to protect the professional interests of qualified, specialist teachers of Speech and Drama, to encourage the highest standards of teaching and to promote the study and knowledge of Speech and Dramatic Art in every form.
The aims of the Society today are much the same, although its interests have broadened to include the business world.
Close links have been forged with the Drama Schools and Examination Boards and its publications are read world wide.
OUR PRESIDENT GERVASE PHINN 
Our new President is Professor Gervase Phinn, who taught in a range of schools for fourteen years before becoming an education adviser and school inspector. He is now a freelance lecturer, broadcaster and writer, a consultant for the Open University, Honorary Fellow of St. John's College, York, Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) of the University of Leicester, Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) of The University of Hull and the Fellow and Visiting Professor of Education at The University of Teesside.
In 2005 the highest academic award of Sheffield Hallam University, Doctor of the University (D.Univ.) was conferred upon Gervase by the Chancellor, Professor Lord Robert Winston. In 2006 he became President of The School Library Association.
He has published many articles, chapters and books and edited a wide range of poetry and short story collections.
Gervase Phinn is probably best known for his best-selling autobiographical novels; e.g. The Other Side of the Dale, Over Hill and Dale and Head Over Heels in the Dales, published by Michael Joseph.
Television and radio appearances include 'The Alan Titchmarsh Show', 'Good Morning Sunday with Aled Jones' (Radio 2), Esther (BBC 1), Midweek (Radio 4), You and Yours (Radio 4), Open House with Gloria Hunniford (ITV), and many others.
In 2004 Gervase Phinn was honoured to receive "The Speaker of the Year Award' from the Association of Speakers' Clubs and his most recent book, Up and Down in the Dales, won the Customer Choice Award at the Spoken Book Awards. A Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and Honorary Fellow of the English Speaking Board, he has a particular interest in children's reading and is widely known as a lively and entertaining speaker. He is married with four grown-up children.
The Society of Teachers of Speech and Drama is honoured to have Professor Gervase Phinn as its new president. Welcome Gervase!
Much more information and accolades can be found in his Biography on his website.
| "I am delighted to be President of The S.T.S.D.because I care passionately about speech, literature and drama." |
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Honorary Patrons of The STSD
Polly Adams
Barbara Jefford OBE
Barbara Leigh-Hunt
Sir Andrew Motion
Zoë Wanamaker Hon.CBE
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