A FORMER teacher with a passion for the arts has set up her own speech and drama school called Rhubarb.

Laura McMahon, who has 15 years of experience teaching English and drama, will put on sessions to enable primary and secondary school-aged children to develop clearer speech, better communication and social skills and improve their self-confidence.

The 36-year-old, who will run sessions on Saturdays at Portishead Primary School from next month, decided to go it alone after having her daughter.

She said: “I strongly believe there are various kinds of human intelligence, yet developing self-expression and imaginative ability is sadly often seen as less important. In my view dramatic education must be valued wherever we are concerned to develop the full range of children’s intelligence and abilities.

“I have always wanted the freedom to design my own curriculum, focussing on public presentation skills that really matter for success.

“As the mainstream curriculum is now shifting towards core subjects, the arts are being diminished, leaving less room for creative subjects.”