Drama

Rationale

In Drama we believe that students should have access to a broad and exciting curriculum which allows students to explore a wide range of styles and techniques in a fun learning environment. A curriculum which enables them to play and explore whilst developing their SMSC learning and embedding skills and knowledge of the theatre and the performance process. It is integral to our curriculum that students have the opportunity to develop transferable skills; develop their creativity, build their confidence, work collaboratively and with kindness, articulate and express their thoughts and ideas in a respectful manner and to understand and develop empathy as a performer and as a person whilst working in a safe and open environment. We want our students to develop a knowledge of conventions and styles to structure innovative performances, understand how to interpret a script and the process of planning, rehearsing and reviewing a performance. We believe that all students should enjoy their Drama journey and that this should be further enhanced with an opportunity to participate in a wide range of extra-curricular activities which will develop their passion for the subject whilst enabling every student the opportunity to perform to a live audience and watch a live theatre performance.

Overview

Key Stage 3

Key Stage 3 Drama is taught primarily through practical lessons, they review prior learning, lessons will include the introduction and modelling of key concepts, skills and terminology, lessons are scaffolded and often include pair work, group work or independent practice time when students apply and explore what they’ve learnt. Practical lessons will offer students the opportunity to share their performance work and receive constructive feedback from peers and teachers. Verbal feedback is consistently shared in lessons, both through teacher and peer feedback which encourages students to focus on progress and development of their skills. Assessment is built into every scheme of work in order to track and monitor progress in the three areas (making/performing/responding) which inform the three data collection points in the year. In KS3 students will develop their knowledge of Drama skills and techniques which include; Still Image, Narration, Thought Tracking, Mime, Exaggeration, Characterisation, Hot-Seating, Greek Theatre, African Theatre, Chinese Theatre, French Mime, Pantomime, Storytelling, Physical Theatre, Soundscapes, Choral Speaking, Cross-Cutting, Levels, Staging, Status, Marking the Moment, Forum Theatre, Naturalism, Brechtian, T.I.E., Role Play, Devising, Improvisation, Scriptwriting and their use of physical and vocal skills.

Key Stage 4

In KS4 practical approaches are blended with theory, this allows for research and analysis to be put into practice. At KS4 the AQA syllabus is followed for GCSE Drama. The curriculum is coherently planned and sequenced towards cumulative knowledge and skills for the future. Students will look at a variety of practitioner styles to develop their performance repertoire including; Frantic Assembly, Bertolt Brecht and Konstantin Stanislavski. Students will attend a live theatre production as part of the course and will also have the opportunity to participate in Drama Workshops ran by industryt professionals. As part of the course requirements the students will study Blood Brothers, watch, analyse and evaluate a live theatre production, create a piece of devised work from a stimulus and also perform two pieces of scripted work.

Post 16

In KS5 students continue to follow the AQA pathway and practical approaches are blended with theory, this allows for research and analysis to be put into practice. A-Level Drama & Theatre Studies is split into three components which enable the students to explore and study different areas. In component 1 students will explore two different set texts, at present these are Antigone and Yerma, students will also evaluate a piece of live theatre for this section of the course. In component 2 students will study a variety of different practitioner styles and use one of these styles to inform their work when creating a piece of devised theatre. In the final component students will perform a scripted piece of text which is delivered using a specific practitioner style.

Extra Curricular Opportunities

KS3 Drama Club, Playwriting Club, Connections, School Musical, Drama Trip Curriculum

Online Resources

Exam Boards

GCSE - AQA

A-Level - AQA

If you would like to know more about our curriculum, please do not hesitate to contact the school.