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Drama
In the Drama Department we believe that Drama is an important tool for preparing students to live and work in a world that is increasingly team oriented rather than hierarchical. As such our curriculum has at its heart a focus on the teaching of Drama to help our students develop tolerance and empathy. We encourage learners to make sense of the world and their own identity by exploring Drama through meaningful fictional situations that have parallels in the real world.
Our students explore performance and acting styles through our structured schemes of work; they will experience fun drama activities encouraging confidence and public speaking life skills.
Beyond the classroom we encourage students to participate in school trips to the West End and watch Musical theatre and drama shows. Previous trips have taken place to the National Theatre, the Young Vic, and Shakespeare’s Globe, where our students gain an insight into the acting profession and enjoyment of watching live theatre.
Enrichment is at the heart of building a creative culture in Drama and we encourage all year groups to join and take part in the after school Drama, Dance and Technical Clubs. We work closely with colleagues in the Music Department to produce the school production and dance shows. Our aim is to encourage the exploration of creativity.
KS3
Expected Equipment
- Pencil
- Writing Pen (Blue/Black)
- Assessment Pens (Red/Purple)
- Rubber
- Ruler
Curriculum Information
- Classes are taught in form groups
- Students have one lesson over a two-week timetable
- Homework is set twice a term and students are expected to spend roughly 30 minutes on each piece. Some homeworks are extended projects and as a result more time will be required to complete the tasks
- Students will be tested roughly once per half term with a bigger assessment at the end of year
- We run a KS3 Drama club on a Wednesday lunch time, where students work towards performances throughout the year.
Resources for learning
- Students have assessment work books that contain all their homeworks.
- Students also have a range of extension tasks that are available to them via the student shared area.
Extracurricular enrichment
- KS3 Drama club which runs on a Wednesday lunch time
- Technical theatre club where students can learn skills pertaining to lighting, sound, set, props and costume skills
- Shakespeare ‘Or Not to Be’ club. Students of KS3, KS4 and KS5 work to create a Shakespeare performance normally performed in the Autumn term
- Whole school musical which is performed in the spring term
- Performing Arts Committee – two students from each year group are selected to represent the Drama Department in meetings relating to the extracurricular activities the Drama Department has to offer.
KS4
KS4 Overview
Expected Equipment
- Pencil
- Writing Pen (Blue/Black)
- Assessment Pens (Red/Purple)
- Rubber
- Ruler
- Class work book (provided by the department)
- A4- Folder
Curriculum Information
- Students have five lessons over a two-week timetable
- Homework is set once a week and students are expected to spend roughly 30 minutes on each piece
- Students are also required to rehearse their performances outside of the classroom; they should spend a minimum of one hour a week rehearsing
- Students will be tested roughly once per half term with a bigger assessment at the end of year
- We follow the AQA GCSE (9-1) syllabus and students have the option to be assessed through acting and technical skills
- We run revision sessions in the build up to exams on a Monday and Friday lunchtime; students are welcome to drop in to either of these sessions.
Resources for Learning
- Students will need to visit the theatre
- Students can purchase the AQA student guide; however it is not vital to the course. Authors: Annie Fox Publisher: Illuminate ISBN-13: 978 1 911208 21 1 Price: £23.99.
Extracurricular enrichment
- Shakespeare ‘Or Not to Be’ club
- Whole school musical
- Tech club
KS5
Expected Equipment
- Pencil
- Writing Pen (Blue/Black)
- Assessment Pens (Red/Purple)
- Rubber
- Ruler
- Folder and dividers for organising work
- Lined paper and notebooks
Curriculum Information
- Classes are taught in mixed ability classes
- Students have 10 lessons over a two week timetable
- Homework is set every lesson and students are expected to study independently on top of this
- Students will also be expected to rehearse independently for at least 2 hours a week outside of lessons, these rehearsals will need to be organised in their own time.
- Revision sessions will also be available for students in the build up to exams.
Resources for Learning
Students will need the following scripts
- The version of the text we are using is: Accidental Death of an Anarchist, Dario Fo (adapted by Gavin Richards)Methuen Drama ISBN 9780413156105
- Woyzeck by George Buchner ( provided by the school)
There is an a-level text available that the students can purchace if they wish to, however it is not compulsory. Edexcel A level Drama and Theatre Student Book and ActiveBook Publisher: Pearson
Author: John Davey,Phil Cleaves,John Johnson ISBN: 9781292150628 Edexcel AS and A level Student Book includes a FREE copy of the ActiveBook.
Extracurricular enrichment
- Students have the opportunity to mentor other students lower down in the school.
- Students who participated in the mentoring scheme in years 8-10 will have the opportunity to assist in teaching and assisting the current mentoring groups.
- Students will have the opportunity to participate in trips and lectures at universities and local venues.
- Drama prefects can help run KS3 drama club and organise performances
- ‘Or Not to Be’ Shakespeare club, students will have opportunity to perform
- The whole school musical
- Performing arts committee
Student Experience - KS5
Drama A level is an exciting course and I am always eager to get to the next lesson. It is a fantastic way of exploring performance texts through practical, technical and directorial methods. During the course you will learn about the history of theatre and how to utilise different practitioner’s styles, Brecht being a favourite of mine, to develop a scripted and devised performance with didactic messages and explore texts practically for a written exam.
Personally, I enjoy the subject because you can explore a wider variety of drama techniques and it is much more independent, and the creative freedom you are given makes it so much more fulfilling as a performer and director. I am often inspired by the how firmly our class is committed to what we are exploring, be it from the screams of Artaud to the stylised movement of Lecoq. The course enables us to be collaborative as well as an individual in class. One of my favourite things is that I am not judged by any of my artistic choices; everyone is so respectful and the teachers really care about our education. I am pleased to say that I have developed great confidence throughout my studies.
There are also leadership opportunities like being a Drama Prefect, and getting involved in school musicals such as The Wizard of Oz, Beauty and the Beast and most recently, Rock of Ages. Even in COVID times, we had different opportunities, such as the Year 13 radio play of A Christmas Carol.
