Drama
Why do we study Drama?
Our KS3 Drama Curriculum as three overriding aims:
- To give students the essential skills needed to thrive in their personal and professional lives such as creativity, problem solving, cooperation & self-awareness
- To provide students with varied, engaging and exciting experiences and knowledge
- To lay the foundations for the skills and disciplines needed for the Vocational Award in Performing Arts which we offer in KS4
In KS3 Drama, students will engage with and develop their own creative capacity whilst embedding an appreciation of a wide range of theatrical styles, genres, historical contexts and cultures. As such, they will use drama to explore and develop their understanding of themselves and their part in the wider community.
We encourage students to step outside of their comfort zone and embrace such challenges as performing in front of their peers and experimenting with challenging ideas and concepts.
An essential part of engaging with their own creativity will be meaningful reflection on and review of their own work and that of others. In KS3, Drama students will begin to develop the essential vocabulary and written communication skills needed for moving on to KS4 Performing Arts.
Our KS4 Curriculum builds on and develops the foundations created in KS3.
Students will develop a greater level of independence in their practical devising work and further their skills of collaboration and cooperation with their peers.
In KS4, Performing Arts students will have the opportunity to work within a selection of performance disciplines of their choice (devising, acting, dance, choreography, Musical Theatre) as well as a range of design options (costume design, hair & make-up, set design, lighting and sound) Students will take on real-life assignments designed to prepare them for work in the Creative Arts industry.
Meet the team
- Mrs Garner & Miss Gentry - Co-Heads of Drama
- Miss Norman - teacher of Drama and English
- Mr Ashcroft - teacher of Drama and English
KS3 Programme of Study
Year 7 - Community
Terms 1&2 - Serious Fun! (Drama Foundation Skills)
Terms 3&4 - The History of Theatre - From Ancient Greece to Restoration Comedy
Terms 5&6 - Body Props & other storytelling techniques
Year 8 - Love of Learning
Terms 1&2 - From Melodrama to Realism
Terms 3&4 - From Epic Theatre to Theatre in Education
Terms 5&6 - Comedy - From Commedia to Sit Com
Year 9 - Respect
Terms 1&2 - The Power of Protest
Terms 3&4 - Noughts & Crosses
Terms 5&6 - Drama Therapy
Course: Vocational Award in Performing Arts
100% coursework. No final examination.
Component 1: Performing - 30% (60 marks) - Internally Assessed
In this unit learners will gain a holistic knowledge and understanding of the skills and techniques needed to reproduce an existing piece of professional/published work.
Component 2: Creating - 30% (60 marks) - Internally Assessed
In this unit learners will gain, develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the skills and techniques needed to create and refine original work in the performing arts.
Component 3: Performing Arts in Practice - 40% (80 marks) - Visiting moderator
This unit introduces learners to areas of the performing arts that need to be considered when responding to an industry commission.
GCSE Programme of Study
Year 10
Term 1 - Introduction to the course and practice Unit 2
Term 2&3 - Unit 2 Assignment brief introduced. Exploration, research and development.
Term 4&5 - Performance/Presentation of Unit 2 project piece. Audience responses and evaluation.
Term 5 - Unit 1 Assignment brief introduced. Exploration, research and development
Year 11
Term 1 - Further development, performance/presentation of Unit 1 project piece.
Term 2 - Evaluation of Unit 1 and introduction to Unit 3
Term 3&4 - Development of Unit 3 project
Term 5 - Performance and Presentation of final project piece.
Resources
Revision Guide: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Noughts-Crosses-Play-Guide-Drama/dp/191282051X (RRP £28.99 but select “used” if option is available)
Homework
KS3 Drama Homework is set twice a term. Tasks focus on:
- homework will be focussed on the Knowledge Organisers and Keywords
KS4 Drama Homework is set weekly. Tasks include:
- homework will include research pertaining to chosen projects, rehearsals in and out of school, development of relevant knowledge and understanding.
Enrichment Opportunities
Trips, extra curricular clubs, cultural capital opportunities.
Trips and workshops are subject to what is available each year but plans are for:
Year 7: Backstage tour
Year 8: Theatre trip
Year 9: Stage Combat Workshop
Year 10&11: Workshop and theatre visit
Clubs:
KS3 Shakespeare Project
School Productions - this year we will have three Showcases where the best work from classes and clubs will be celebrated.