Drama
Imagination has no limits in the realm of theatre.
Head of Department: Mr D Simpson
The Drama department aims to support students in discovering their passions and to develop skills and knowledge in the study of drama and theatre. We believe that through developing students’ confidence and communication skills, we can support them to find their unique voice and prepare them for the adult world.
We provide them with vital transferable skills; through creating, developing, rehearsing and evaluating work, students develop their ability to work collaboratively and creatively.
Students' experience develops the whole person; it fosters an open-minded, co-operative and inventive approach, helping to shape their attitude and behaviour. Drama lessons in KS3 contribute to the delivery of the English curriculum through giving students the opportunity to communicate ideas, improvise, rehearse and perform spoken English.
Our extra-curricular provision includes a KS3 Drama club as well as KS4 and 5 intervention time for rehearsals and 1 to 1 support. We also run theatre trips and workshops to further students' knowledge on live theatre and practitioners. At the end of each academic year the school performs an end of year production which enriches the whole school community.
CURRICULUM DOCUMENTS (Drama)
Students' experience develops the whole person; it fosters an open-minded, co-operative and inventive approach, helping to shape their attitude and behaviour.
Drama lessons in KS3 contribute to the delivery of the English curriculum through giving students the opportunity to communicate ideas, improvise, rehearse and perform spoken English.
Our extra-curricular provision includes a KS3 Drama club as well as KS4 and 5 intervention time for rehearsals and 1 to 1 support. We also run theatre trips and workshops to further students' knowledge on live theatre and practitioners. At the end of each academic year the school performs an end of year production which enriches the whole school community.
Our extra curricular provision includes a KS3 Drama club as well as KS4 and 5 intervention time for rehearsals and 1 to 1 support. We also run theatre trips and workshops to further students' knowledge on live theatre and practitioners. At the end of each academic year the school performs an end of year production which enriches the whole school community.
Gallery of a few Drama events
Drama in Year 7
In Year 7 you will have one 50 minute lesson a week in Drama.
From their very first lesson in Year 7 we enthuse students about Drama and Theatre, building their confidence and creativity at each stage. Through exposing them to a variety of skills, techniques, theatre styles and improvisation tasks, we want them to become clear, confident communicators, able to work effectively with others and express themselves as an individual. The learning scheme delivered in Year 7 will enable students to have a good grasp of the building blocks of creating, understanding and performing drama, including:
- Basic performance skills
- Script work
- Story, character and plot development
- Key Techniques such as freeze frame, tableau, narration and mime.
| Autumn Term | Spring Term | Summer Term |
| Once Upon a time | A Lesson to Learn | Reinventing the Bard |
| Pantomime | Epic Theatre |
Shakespeare |
Assessment:
Practical and written assessments which are marked and assessed according to school policy.
Types of Homework:
- Line Learning
- Research
- Independent rehearsals
- Design (including costume and make-up).
Drama in Year 8
In Year 8 you will have one 50 minute lesson a week in Drama.
Creating their own work through combining the skills they have learnt in Year 7, students will then stretch this learning through more challenging projects in Year 8, particularly in script work and understanding the structure and impact of key works in different genres and creating their own pieces.
Throughout their study of Drama, students develop confidence and collaborative discussion skills and increasing vocabulary (especially subject specific), reading a variety of plays, studying genres and styles in drama as well as setting, plot, and characterisation, and the effects of these.
Key Concepts in Year 8 Drama:
- Creativity in problem solving
- Challenging pupils’ perceptions
- Experiencing empathy and tolerance
- Communication and speaking publicly
- Self-control and discipline in applying Theatrical Skills
- Collaboration with mixed/same ability peers
- Team-orientated working to a tight deadline
- Evaluative, refinement and development skills
| Autumn Term | Spring Term | Summer Term |
| Embracing the Absurd | Art Imitate Life | A Story Worth Telling |
| Commedia Dell' Arte | Naturalism |
Physical Theatre |
Assessment:
Practical and written assessments which are marked and assessed according to school policy.
Types of Homework:
- Line Learning
- Research
- Independent rehearsals
- Design (including costume and make-up).
Drama in Year 9
In Year 9 you are on a rotation with several other subjects. You will study Drama for two 50 minute lessons a week for nine weeks of the year.
You will further your knowledge from Year 7 and 8 and begin to explore some unique elements of the theatre world. You will study three topics for three weeks at a time in intense workshop style lessons.
|
Weeks 1-3 |
Weeks 4-6 |
Weeks 7-9 |
|
A Matter of Honour (Stage Combat) |
Beyond the Actor (Puppetry) |
Page to Stage (Scripts) |
Key Concepts in Year 9 Drama:
- Creativity in problem solving
- Challenging pupils’ perceptions
- Experiencing empathy and tolerance
- Communication and speaking publicly
- Self-control and discipline in applying Theatrical Skills
- Collaboration with mixed/same ability peers
- Team-orientated working to a tight deadline
- Evaluative, refinement and development skills
Assessment:
Practical and written assessments which are marked and assessed according to school policy.
Types of Homework:
- Line Learning
- Research
- Independent rehearsals
- Design (including costume and make-up).
Drama at Key Stage 4
The exam board is EDUQUAS (WJEC).
Learners are given the opportunity to develop their appreciation of drama as actors, designers and directors, developing a wide range of key skills throughout their study through carefully selected texts.
Through the use of practical work, learners will be able to concentrate on areas of drama which best suit their ability and skills such as acting or design.
With GCSE Drama you combine creative and analytical approaches and you develop your capacity to work with rigour; to communicate effectively; to work collaboratively; to use approaches from a range of disciplines; and to connect your studies to the world around you.
The GCSE features three components on which they will be assessed:
Component 1: Devising Theatre
Non-exam assessment: internally assessed, externally moderated 40% of qualification
Students will be assessed on either acting or design. They participate in the creation, development and performance of a piece of devised theatre using either the techniques of an influential theatre practitioner or a genre, in response to a stimulus set by the exam board.
Students must produce:
- a realisation of their piece of devised theatre
- a portfolio of supporting evidence
- an evaluation of the final performance or design.
Component 2: Performing from a Text
Non-exam assessment: externally assessed by a visiting examiner 20% of qualification
Students will be assessed on either acting or design. They study two extracts from the same performance text chosen by the centre. Students participate in one performance using sections of text from both extracts.
Component 3: Interpreting Theatre
Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes 40% of qualification
Section A: Set Text A series of questions on a set text given by your teacher.
Section B: Live Theatre Review One question, from a choice of two, requiring analysis and evaluation of a given aspect of a live theatre production seen during the course.
For more information on GCSE Drama, please read the Options Booklet.
Drama and Theatre Studies at Key Stage 5
For more information on the content of our Drama and Theatre Studies course in our Sixth Form, please refer to our Course Guide.
Where can Drama take me?
Whatever the future holds, students of GCSE and A Level Drama emerge with an extensive toolkit of transferable skills, applicable both in further studies and in the workplace. Careers using drama: actor, barrister, costume designer, director, drama therapist, teacher, stage manager, TV/film producer, youth and community worker, arts administrator, journalist, TV presenter, set designer, theatrical producer, writer….the list is endless!