At Thrive Speech and Drama, our goal has always been about more than just performance. We focus on helping children become confident communicators, creative thinkers, and strong speakers who feel comfortable expressing themselves in any situation.
One of the most exciting opportunities we offer for students is the option to work towards Speech and Drama exams through recognised examination boards such as Speech New Zealand and Trinity College London.
While exams are never compulsory, many families choose this pathway because of the incredible growth they see in their child’s confidence, focus, and communication skills.
Let’s explore why Speech and Drama exams can be such a positive experience for children.
When children have a goal to work towards, something amazing happens.
Speech and Drama exams give students a clear purpose for their learning. Instead of simply practising skills week to week, they are working towards performing their very best in a supportive exam setting.
This helps students:
• stay focused
• practise consistently
• take pride in improving
• develop a strong work ethic
Children often feel incredibly proud when they realise how much they have grown through the preparation process.
One of the biggest benefits of exams is learning how to perform calmly under pressure.
Standing up in front of an examiner and presenting prepared pieces mirrors many real lifesituations children will face as they grow, including:
• school presentations
• speaking in assemblies
• interviews
• leadership opportunities
Each exam builds confidence and resilience, making future speaking situations feel far less scary.
Speech and Drama exams follow structured syllabuses that guide students through a broad set of skills, including:
• clear speech and articulation
• vocal expression and projection
• storytelling and interpretation
• characterisation
• public speaking
• performance confidence
These skills naturally align with what we teach in Thrive classes, meaning exam preparation fits seamlessly into our weekly lessons.
After each exam, students receive detailed written feedback from trained examiners.
This feedback highlights:
• strengths
• areas for improvement
• practical suggestions for progress
Parents often love reading these reports as they clearly show how their child is developing in confidence and communication.
Completing an exam and receiving a certificate and badge is a powerful moment for children.
It gives them tangible proof of their effort, courage, and growth. Many students beam with pride when they receive their results and love sharing their achievements with family and school communities.
Preparing for exams teaches children valuable life skills, including:
• goal setting
• time management
• perseverance
• handling nerves
• receiving feedback positively
These skills support success not just in speech and drama, but across school and life.
Speech New Zealand
Speech New Zealand is our preferred examination board and aligns beautifully with Thrive’sfocus on confidence, creativity, and communication.
They offer:
• speaking and performing exams
• speech and drama exams
• public speaking exams
What families love about Speech New Zealand:
• flexible exam options including individual, paired, and group formats
• face to face exams in East Auckland or online
• friendly and supportive examiners
• detailed, encouraging feedback
• certificates and badges students cherish
As a not for profit charitable trust, Speech New Zealand is dedicated to helping young people grow strong communication and leadership skills.
For families wanting internationally recognised qualifications, we also prepare students for Trinity College London examinations.
These include:
• Speech and Drama
• Communication Skills
Trinity exams are highly respected worldwide and look excellent on future CVs and university applications.
Exams are completely optional at Thrive.
Some children thrive with a clear goal and challenge, while others simply enjoy building confidence through weekly classes. Both pathways are equally valuable, and every student receives the same high quality teaching.
We’re always happy to guide families on whether an exam pathway may suit their child’s age, confidence, and goals.
Exam preparation is built naturally into Thrive lessons, with teachers guiding students through:
• selecting appropriate pieces
• developing performance skills
• improving clarity and expression
• building confidence
Students are encouraged to practise at home to strengthen memory and confidence, and families are always welcome to reach out for extra support if needed.
Parents are notified of exam dates around one month in advance, and students attend exams with confidence knowing they are well prepared.
Speech and Drama exams aren’t just about certificates. They’re about building brave speakers, confident communicators, and resilient young people who believe in themselves.
For many students, exams become a turning point where they realise they can stand tall, speak clearly, and be proud of their voice.
If you’d like to learn more about Speech and Drama exams at Thrive, feel free to get in touch. We’re always happy to help guide your child’s confidence journey.
